Sentence:  A guy can be an active and successful hot rodder for years without becoming even remotely involved with mathematical problems ; however , he will <WSD>have</WSD> a clearer understanding of what he is doing and the chances are he will be more successful if he understands the few formulas that apply to rodding . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense