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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hello-hollywood-donna-bell-koljonen?trk=hp-feed-article-title-share
Hello Hollywood SPC Joel Willman
by Donna Bell Koljonen
Journalist/Reporter/ at Let's Race Magazine - Let's Race TV
Joel Willman is a man on a mission. Willman, who races in the Asphalt Modified Series, ARCA and NASCAR in the #90 car– soon to be the #22, is a top 10 driver 95% of the time. This 4th Generation race car driver comes from a family that includes Tony Willman, 1934 Rookie of the Year and he was inducted into the Indianapolis Hall of Fame. Family members have been inducted into the National Sprint Car & Open Wheel Hall of Fame, National Short Track Hall of Fame, and Badger Midget Hall of Fame. His father, aunts, uncles, Papaw, great uncles and great aunts who have raced or still do have done very well. And now a 5th generation coming up as his kids are interested in racing.
Willman is a serious, determined driver. There is also a humorous side. When I asked who the jokesters are and who pulls pranks, Willman said “My friends all are hilarious. Just tagging me in pictures on FB. Best prank was once they sprayed skunk smell in the air tube for my helmet so I had to smell it for 40 lap feature. lol Gosh, I couldn't smell anything else for 2 days. lol”
When I interview a driver I always like to ask them about their nicknames and how they got them. So when speaking with Willman, I found out he is known as “Hollywood.” It seems that early on Willman always had sharp looking cars to represent his sponsors when he showed up at the racetrack. Willman also said, with a laugh, maybe a few nicknames I don't know about!
I asked Willman to brag on himself a little for me and to tell me some accomplishments that he is most proud of. Willman stated ”Hmmm, I’m grateful for living my life full of racing, but I'd have to say, 1995 King of the Derby Trophy, winning a demolition derby with 144 cars and trucks all at once. Then in 2005 winning Rookie of the Year in Late Models it was a fantastic year for me winning the Rookie of the Year award, my daughter was born in August too. I've not been handed anything in this sport by any means, so just making it to a track let alone racing is an accomplishment in itself. Thinking about it now, I have to say getting my ARCA license at Daytona, and NASCAR approval in 2013 was truly a feeling of self-boasting moment as I was truly grateful for that opportunity and connections I made from that year, also lead to having 1500 die casts cars made that were sold in the USA, Australia, Italy, and Germany. “
Willman said that this year he is going to bench the decades-old family racing number of #90 in exchange for the #22 to bring awareness to the fact that we lose 22 veterans a day due to PTSD suicide. Once they hit the track the team will have a new look for a new number. “Every lap I race is to raise money for the organizations that work with the veterans, military, firefighters, police officers and EMT’s suffering from PTSD/TBI. So, it's not all about racing, it's about saving lives, slowing down the suicide rate of losing 22 Veterans, Military, and Municipality personnel a day battling a war many of us do not see. I've personally lost very close friends to PTSD/TBI. I've been also told I'm suffering from survivors’ guilt which is a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which makes my desire & fight more intense. “
“Right now JWR is based out of Westfield, WI. Dells Raceway Park, Tomah Sparta Raceway, LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway are the tracks I like to call Home. United States Fire Department Racing Team (USFD Racing Team), Heroes Media Group, My Brother Oog's BBQ Sauce, Sponsor A Vets Life, Bonestalkers and Axcel Sports are who are on board so far as we are looking for marketing partners for 2016. My goal is to have the opportunity to have the many Veterans organizations I work with represented by me in at least one NASCAR Xfinity Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
Willman has many endorsements including this one from The United States Fire Department Racing Team “USFDR is excited to have the opportunity to partner with Joel Willman, a driver that has proven track record of community support, and the experience to help USFDR grow our efforts in 2016 to bring awareness and honor heroes”
Facebook: Joel Willman Racing & Athlete page Joel Willman Racing
Twitter: @JWHOLLYWOOD90
Instagram: Jwhollywood90
LinkedIn: Joel Willman
Website: joelwillmanracing.com
Written by Donna Bell
Hello Hollywood SPC Joel Willman
by Donna Bell Koljonen
Journalist/Reporter/ at Let's Race Magazine - Let's Race TV
Joel Willman is a man on a mission. Willman, who races in the Asphalt Modified Series, ARCA and NASCAR in the #90 car– soon to be the #22, is a top 10 driver 95% of the time. This 4th Generation race car driver comes from a family that includes Tony Willman, 1934 Rookie of the Year and he was inducted into the Indianapolis Hall of Fame. Family members have been inducted into the National Sprint Car & Open Wheel Hall of Fame, National Short Track Hall of Fame, and Badger Midget Hall of Fame. His father, aunts, uncles, Papaw, great uncles and great aunts who have raced or still do have done very well. And now a 5th generation coming up as his kids are interested in racing.
Willman is a serious, determined driver. There is also a humorous side. When I asked who the jokesters are and who pulls pranks, Willman said “My friends all are hilarious. Just tagging me in pictures on FB. Best prank was once they sprayed skunk smell in the air tube for my helmet so I had to smell it for 40 lap feature. lol Gosh, I couldn't smell anything else for 2 days. lol”
When I interview a driver I always like to ask them about their nicknames and how they got them. So when speaking with Willman, I found out he is known as “Hollywood.” It seems that early on Willman always had sharp looking cars to represent his sponsors when he showed up at the racetrack. Willman also said, with a laugh, maybe a few nicknames I don't know about!
I asked Willman to brag on himself a little for me and to tell me some accomplishments that he is most proud of. Willman stated ”Hmmm, I’m grateful for living my life full of racing, but I'd have to say, 1995 King of the Derby Trophy, winning a demolition derby with 144 cars and trucks all at once. Then in 2005 winning Rookie of the Year in Late Models it was a fantastic year for me winning the Rookie of the Year award, my daughter was born in August too. I've not been handed anything in this sport by any means, so just making it to a track let alone racing is an accomplishment in itself. Thinking about it now, I have to say getting my ARCA license at Daytona, and NASCAR approval in 2013 was truly a feeling of self-boasting moment as I was truly grateful for that opportunity and connections I made from that year, also lead to having 1500 die casts cars made that were sold in the USA, Australia, Italy, and Germany. “
Willman said that this year he is going to bench the decades-old family racing number of #90 in exchange for the #22 to bring awareness to the fact that we lose 22 veterans a day due to PTSD suicide. Once they hit the track the team will have a new look for a new number. “Every lap I race is to raise money for the organizations that work with the veterans, military, firefighters, police officers and EMT’s suffering from PTSD/TBI. So, it's not all about racing, it's about saving lives, slowing down the suicide rate of losing 22 Veterans, Military, and Municipality personnel a day battling a war many of us do not see. I've personally lost very close friends to PTSD/TBI. I've been also told I'm suffering from survivors’ guilt which is a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which makes my desire & fight more intense. “
“Right now JWR is based out of Westfield, WI. Dells Raceway Park, Tomah Sparta Raceway, LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway are the tracks I like to call Home. United States Fire Department Racing Team (USFD Racing Team), Heroes Media Group, My Brother Oog's BBQ Sauce, Sponsor A Vets Life, Bonestalkers and Axcel Sports are who are on board so far as we are looking for marketing partners for 2016. My goal is to have the opportunity to have the many Veterans organizations I work with represented by me in at least one NASCAR Xfinity Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
Willman has many endorsements including this one from The United States Fire Department Racing Team “USFDR is excited to have the opportunity to partner with Joel Willman, a driver that has proven track record of community support, and the experience to help USFDR grow our efforts in 2016 to bring awareness and honor heroes”
Facebook: Joel Willman Racing & Athlete page Joel Willman Racing
Twitter: @JWHOLLYWOOD90
Instagram: Jwhollywood90
LinkedIn: Joel Willman
Website: joelwillmanracing.com
Written by Donna Bell
Auto Racing
Nascar
PTSD
Civilian Supporter
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Greatness is achieved when you see yourself as part of something greater in life.
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Thanks for letting us know COL Mikel J. Burroughs and posting a picture of SPC Joel Willman with the #90 car. I am glad t learn that Joel is a top 10 driver 95% of the time.
I am especially thankful for all that you and Joel do to honor wounded and seriously disabled veterans - mentally and physically.
I am especially thankful for all that you and Joel do to honor wounded and seriously disabled veterans - mentally and physically.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs, very cool story! It's so great to see the support from so many sources!
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