Hillary Will and K2M to promote spinal awareness in Englishtown
YPSILANTI, Mich., (June 17, 2008) – Spinal Technology company K2M, Inc., and NHRA Top Fuel star Hillary Will, the fastest female in NHRA history, announced today that they will be partners to promote spinal awareness and encourage contributions to charitable healthcare hospitals at the upcoming NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event in Englishtown, N.J., June 19-22, at legendary Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
K2M, along with FOCOS (Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine) and CURE International will share signage on a special paint scheme on Will’s 8,000-horsepower, nitro-fueled KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster for all of the 330-plus mph drag racing action on the famed quarter-mile track in Englishtown.
K2M became an associate sponsor on all four Kalitta Motorsports race cars at the beginning of the 2008 season to become marketing partners with Will, Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, Scott Kalitta, driver of the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, and Dave Grubnic, driver of the DHL Top Fuel dragster.
“I have always had a special interest in learning about and supporting the people in developing countries,” Will, a 28-year old native of Fortuna, Calif., said. “I am impressed by the work that K2M, FOCOS, and CURE have done and plan to do in countries like West Africa. I wholeheartedly support them and will do whatever I can to help promote their cause and raise awareness.
“I'm glad they have decided to partner with us, and I believe that the media exposure we have been getting recently because of our on-track performances will help them promote their cause.”
“K2M is excited to be able to help bring exposure to these two great charitable organizations, their missions, and their efforts, through our involvement with Kalitta Motorsports, KB Racing, LLC, and the NHRA,” Mike Parkman, Vice President-Complex Spine Unit, said.
FOCOS is a non-profit organization, established in 1998 by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei in Ghana, West Africa. FOCOS' mission is to provide comprehensive, affordable orthopedic and spine care to those who would not otherwise have access to such treatment. Having treated over 2,000 patients in 2005, FOCOS is seeking to expand its operations to establish a tertiary hospital in Ghana focused exclusively on orthopedic care. FOCOS proposes to be an independent, orthopedics and rehabilitation hospital with a charitable mission, providing free care to needy patients.
CURE International is the largest supplier of specialty surgical care to disabled children in the developing world. With a presence in 13 countries, the organization has transformed the lives of more than 700,000 patients and performed surgery on more than 47,500 children by providing first-world quality medical care and spiritual healing. CURE establishes specialty teaching hospitals, builds local partnerships and advocates for disabled and suffering children throughout the developing world.
Will is currently in 4th place in POWERade Top Fuel championship points, the highest points placement of her three-year Top Fuel career.
A former standout in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, Will moved up to the quickest and fastest NHRA professional class, Top Fuel, in 2006 behind the wheel of a newly formed team owned by Las Vegas businessman Ken Black and managed by Kalitta Motorsports, the multi-car team founded and owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. She won her first Top Fuel event trophy in Norwalk (IHRA) in her rookie season and made her first NHRA final-round appearance in Memphis later that year. She finished the season in 10th place in Top Fuel championship points in ‘06. Will picked up an emotional first NHRA national event title in Topeka, Kan., June 1, 2008.
At the first two events of this season’s 24-event NHRA national event schedule, Will set the track record for speed, for either gender, at both of the quarter-miles at Phoenix Int’l Raceway (334.32 mph) and at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.) (334.56 mph). Will’s speedy blast in California established her as the fastest woman ever in drag racing. She and the KB Racing, LLC team were also the fastest of the racing weekend (tie) at the third event in Gainesville, Fla., with a 330.63-mph lap. They were again the fastest team of the fifth event in Las Vegas, 331.85 mph.
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) POWERade Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by now legendary drag racer and team owner Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. His son, Scott Kalitta, drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car. Scott's cousin, Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the DHL Top Fuel dragster, while Hillary Will drives the Ken Black-owned and Kalitta Motorsports-managed Top Fuel dragster.
Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer (KB Racing, LLC dragster), Jon Oberhofer (Mac Tools dragster co-crew chief), and Richard Hogan (Mac Tools dragster co-crew chief). Connie serves as crew chief on the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car with assistance from co-crew chief Glenn Mikres and as the crew chief on the DHL dragster with assistance from co-crew chief James Riola.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports' race cars include Mac Tools, Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, K2M, and Toyota.
For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit www.teamkalitta.com.
About KB Racing, LLC
KB Racing, LLC is owned by Las Vegas businessmen Ken Black and his son Kenny Black. In the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, KB Racing, LLC fields two Summit Racing Equipment Pro Stock entries, one driven by Greg Anderson and the other by Jason Line, and a Top Fuel dragster, managed by Kalitta Motorsports and driven by Hillary Will.