Realizing opportunity was knocking with the KKM deal, Hollan wanted to make the most of it. She accelerated her online schooling in order to graduate from high school a year early so she could focus solely on racing in 2019.
“I started online in my freshman year in high school and then finished my sophomore, junior and senior years in one year so I could be fully focused on racing this year,” she said.
“I’ve never felt like I missed out on anything, but a lot of people would probably be surprised to know how dedicated I’ve been to racing for so long,” Hollan added. “I’ve been working full time at my parents’ race team for 10 to 12 hours a day and balanced that with school. I took on a lot of responsibility, but it’s cool.”
That checks off the “passion” bullet point.
She’ll find out this month what she’ll be racing in 2020, and Toyota will play a major role in that decision.
“Toyota is like family to me,” she said. “This opportunity is there because of Toyota and I go to North Carolina and do a lot of things with Toyota. I’m there for a whole week for team building. I use the simulator about two days a month.
“They have a great gym that I use and I’m working with Toyota’s trainer and nutritionist. I spend a lot of time working out; four or five days week.”
She also gets to rub elbows with other Toyota drivers.
“I see quite a bit of the other drivers; it’s neat to be at the same event with Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch representing Toyota,” she said.
Hollan added that she gets compared with Bell a lot due to their similar backgrounds.
“I look up to Christopher Bell,” she said. “He came from my same world and he has proven that a dirt-car driver from Oklahoma can make it in NASCAR.”
Although Bell will only turn 25 on Dec. 16, Hollan said: “I grew up watching him race. He raced against my dad. I’ve known him personally for about the last two years. I lean on him quite a bit for advice and talk to him about things I’m struggling with.”
Her mother and father are major mentors, but Hollan also mentioned the late Donnie Ray Crawford when asked about drivers who have influenced her.
She also listed teammate Logan Seavey and USAC Triple Crown winner Jerry Coons Jr.
“Jerry has helped me a lot,” she said. “I have to learn to run the cushion better. I watch a lot of film and ask him about throttle and braking points. I’ll get there.”
“I enjoyed working with Holley when she was driving a Petry Motorsports car,” Coons said. “She had a good feel for the car and good feedback for the small amount of midget experience she had.
“I gained a lot of respect for her as a person and a driver and that’s why I have continued to help her when I can,” Coons added. “I don’t know that I’ve seen a young driver with more desire and determination to not only make herself better, but to make it in this sport.”
Hollan said one of the things she is working on improving is the mental aspect of her game.
“I need to be able to block out any distractions or anxiety, and not put so much pressure on myself,” she said. “I’m really dedicated to becoming stronger mentally. I’ve been working with Kevin Keyes, the owner of Moti Performance Coaching. Once I get better at that, I think a lot of things will fall into place.
“I don’t want to be treated any differently than any other driver,” she emphasized. “I’m here to do my job and win races.”
An added responsibility is being a role model to little girls.
“I was that little girl,” Hollan said. “When I started racing there weren’t many girls racing. Not every girl wants to be a race car driver, but I want to show the ones that do that they’re meant to be there as much as anyone else. I just try to encourage them to do whatever they want to do and chase their dreams. Just put your heart into it; you’ll make it.
“Eventually, you know your hard work will pay off.”