Will Calton: DragChamp Racer Spotlight

Will Calton is in this week’s DragChamp Racer Spotlight. Learn all about this DragChamp Pro Member in his spotlight below!

BROADWAY, NC – Will Calton, hailing from Broadway, NC, has been immersed in the racing world for years, initially starting out in dirt track racing from 2008 to 2017 before transitioning to drag racing in 2019. Introduced to the sport at a young age by his father, who raced a 1971 Chevy Vega named Destiny in the IHRA Hot Rod class back in the 80s and 90s, Will’s passion for racing runs deep. Growing up, his dad would drive different street cars at numerous tracks with Steve and Brenda Taylor. The influence of all three of those people combined ignited Will’s passion for racing, setting him on the path to pursue his own racing career.

Learn more about Will below!

Racing History

Competing primarily in Footbrake and Mod ET classes, Will races at tracks across North Carolina, with Roxboro Motorsports Park, Galot Motorsports Park, and Piedmont Dragway being the tracks he frequents the most. Starting out in 2019 and 2020, he ran the family 1970 Chevy Nova otherwise known as the Ol’ Jalopy. In 2021, they bought a 1974 Chevy Vega, marking the race car in which he clinched his first ever win. However, a setback occurred at the end of 2021 due to a wreck, necessitating a return to the trusty Nova for the 2022 season.

His Race Car

Will’s current race car, the “Slomaro,” is a 1993 Chevy Camaro big tire car. He bought it as a roller in July of 2022 but didn’t start working on it until the end of September 2023. Equipped with a 355 SBC Powerglide combo, it weighs in at 2900 lbs with the driver. It will run high 6.70’s to low 6.80’s on the track.

Outside of Racing

When Will isn’t racing, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and watching sports. Professionally, he works as a Diesel Technician working at a Peterbilt dealership. One thing people may not know about Will is that he is a green thumb at heart.

In his downtime, Will unwinds watching his favorite TV series, Band of Brothers and listening to the heavy metal band, Iced Earth. Online, he spends time watching YouTube and playing video games. Beyond racing, Will cheers on the NC State Wolfpack basketball team, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Braves.

Will’s Q&A

What’s on your bucket list, future goals, what do you hope to achieve?

Hoping to achieve a track championship, a bracket finals win along with a world finals win. 

What is your favorite race car, and why? 

Chevy Vegas are my favorite. My father had one and I just think they are the best looking door cars out there. 

Who has made the biggest impact on your racing success?

My father, Wilburn Calton. He has taught me everything that I need to know in this racing world. 

Who do you look up to in the sport?

Wilburn Calton 

How do you support your racing, side hustle, sponsor, partner, etc.? 

Working those over time hours to help pay for entries and fuel. 

Who do you hate to see in the other lane, and why? 

I don’t let who ever is in the other lane bother me. It used to affect me in my early years but as time goes on I think and wonder, do people want me in the other lane? 

What’s the hardest part of drag racing?

Trying to get my fiancé into drag racing, who would have thought this would be the hardest thing for me. 

What’s your most embarrassing moment in a race car? 

We were up at Maryland International Raceway for the bracket finals in 2020. I had a flip cover on my ignition toggle switch and the car hooked so hard it cut the switch and lost all power. 

What are you saying to yourself just before you stage the car?

I don’t say a word, I feel like if I say anything, it messes everything up. 

What do you enjoy the most at the racetrack?

Hanging out with the family and racing family.  

Are you superstitious?  If so, what are they? 

Either its a routine or its actually supersititous but I have do the same thing in the car every run. 

Do you love to win or hate to lose? 

I am competitive and want to win every run so you can say I love to win. 

Which are you better at the starting line or the finish line? 

Still working on my finish line skills so I would say my starting line. 

What motivates you to continue racing?

What motivates me is going racing with my father and being at the track whenever we can. This is our time to spend quality time together and bond since this is something we both love to do. 

If money were no object, what would your racing operation look like?  Car, trailer, class, race schedule, etc.

Toter home with a stacker, multiple door cars and the open road hitting all the tracks I could. 

How often do you use a practice tree? 

I rarely use a practice tree, for me I feel like it doesn’t help me out when staging a real car and leaving at the same spot. 

What is your daily driver? 

2023 Ford Explorer  

What are you really good at? 

Coaching basketball 

Would you rather hang out with a crowd or have a quiet evening at home? 

They both have their pros and cons but I am more of a home body and like my quiet evenings. 

What’s your favorite thing to eat?  Individual item, meal, or restaurant?

Texas Roadhouse and my own Tonkotsu ramen that I make. 

Who would you like to thank, who helps you the most?

If it wasn’t for my pops I wouldn’t even be in a car racing. He has done so much to keep me in a car running and I am forever grateful. Also would like to send out a huge thank you to Gordon and Chris Privette, for all the things they have helped me to get this far. 

For more DragChamp racer spotlights, click here.

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