MEET DRAG RACING'S NEWEST ANSWER TO DANICA PATRICK

Hillary Will, a native of Fortuna, Calif., has been chosen to drive the new Ken Black-owned, Kalitta Motorsports-managed Top Fuel dragster.

Black, owner of the Pro Stock entries driven by two-time defending NHRA POWERade champion Greg Anderson and 2004 NHRA Rookie of the Year Jason Line, and drag racing icon Connie Kalitta, owner of and chief tuner for Kalitta Motorsports, announced last month that they have formed a partnership to run a fourth dragster campaigned out of Kalitta's Top Fuel stable next season. Kalitta Motorsports currently fields race cars for drivers Doug Kalitta, Scott Kalitta and "Aussie Dave" Grubnic.

Will, 25, currently drives the Girl Power Racing Top Alcohol dragster in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. She claimed her first NHRA national event victory at Las Vegas in April and recently collected her first Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series win at Mission (B.C.) Raceway. She began racing at age 17 and has competed in Super Street, Super Gas and Super Comp categories. (photo courtesy Kalitta Motorsports) [8-17-2005]

BENNY BRAY AT VALDOSTA

According to one of the Agent's Pro Mod sources, Benny Bray -- whose dad Victor is one of the legends of Pro Mod especially in Australia -- will make his North American Pro Mod debut this weekend. Young Mr. Bray will be at the wheel of Chip King's Bill Barrett-tuned, Dodge Avenger at the ADRL race in Valdosta, GA. A sincere welcome to the colonies, Benny, from the Agent. [8-17-2005]

TONY SCHUMACHER RUNNING THE STORE NOW?

Evidently Team Schumacher's reigning World Champ has opened a new online mail order house for high-performance parts (www.perfectracing.com). The Schumacher empire grows. The Agent wonders if Jeg's Performance Warehouse, who are sponsors of the team, are aware of this new enterprise? [8-17-2005]

GENE WILSON TO DRIVE FOR WJ?

One of the Agent's spies in the state of Georgia called to say that as far back as two months ago Warren Johnson has been saying that he definitely will be back for 2006 and that he is working for funding for a third car that would probably be driven by IHRA/NHRA Pro Stock shoe Gene Wilson. It's just a RUMOR, folks, but it does come from one of the Agent's best Pro Stock sources. [8-16-2005]

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STUART SCOTT, ADD 1

In the note the Agent put up yesterday about the ESPN sports anchor's gaff regarding professional women drivers qualifying on the "pole," the Agent mentioned Shirley Muldowney first doing it in 1976, but wait, there's more. Danica Patrick isn't even the second or third female driver to qualify for the pole in a national auto racing series. She is fourth to be exact. The late Lucille Lee qualified for the Top Fuel pole at the 1982 NHRA event at Denver driving for Mark Danekas. If you would like to email the folks at ESPN here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/sitetools/s/contact/espntv.html [8-17-2005]

PMRA HEADS FOR NEW YORK DOUBLE HEADER

The Pro Modified Racing Association will have two races at two different New York tracks in two days this upcoming weekend. The racing begins Friday, Aug. 19, at Lancaster Motorsports Park and moves to Skyview Drags on Aug. 20. Located near Binghamton, NY, at Tioga Center, the Skyview Drags eighth-mile track was built only last year.

The Grainy Brothers and their Beretta will be one of several PMRA teams from the Empire State to race at Skyview Drags. Other New Yorkers include Mark Mitchell of East Otto, Joe Lilienthal of Kenmore, and Medina's Mike Stawicki in his new Camaro.

PMRA teams from Ontario who will be at Skyview Drags include Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Kasey Janzen of Niagara Falls, and Welland's Larry Sinke. (photo courtesy PMRA) [8-17-2005]