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Coan Engineering continues partnership with Bunker Hill Dragstrip

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Kokomo, Ind, (December 4, 2022) – Bunker Hill Dragstrip owned by Top Fuel driver Terry McMillen is excited to announce the continuation of a partnership with Kokomo, IN based Coan Engineering for the 2023 race season. Over the last several years, Coan Engineering, a leading manufacturer in automatic transmissions, torque converters, and transmission components, has had a major presence at the historic Bunker Hill Dragstrip.

In 2023, the right lane at Bunker Hill Dragstrip will continue to be the Coan Engineering lane. Racers who win or runner up, will continue to celebrate their accomplishments in the Coan Engineering Winners Circle. 

The Coan family, who are racers themselves, understand the hard work that it takes to win an event. In our upcoming season they are taking the Coan Engineering Winner’s Circle experience at Bunker Hill Dragstrip to the next level. The winning driver of each class that competes at a bracket series event, which includes Top(Box), Mod(No Box), Sportsman, Jr. Dragster, Motorcycles, Indiana Outlaw Gassers, and Grocery Getters will receive an exclusive Coan Engineering/Bunker Hill Dragstrip Winner’s Circle Hat. 

“When I raced Top Fuel, other than a Wally there was nothing I wanted more than to earn one of the winner’s circle hats.  Having something special that you can wear and show off to commemorate a win, is really cool. We are extremely excited to launch this program with Coan Engineering, and appreciate the fact that they realize that a race win at Bunker Hill Dragstrip is a big deal, and deserves to be treated that way,” says track owner Terry McMillen.

The winner’s circle hat will be an addition to the winner sticker that drivers at Bunker Hill have been collecting for years. 

Bunker Hill Dragstrip is also in the process of launching a program with Coan Engineering, to provide one free test and tune with the purchase of transmissions or torque converters. They encourage all Coan customers to hold on to their receipts as details will be announced prior to the track opening for the 2023 season.  

McMillen Buys Indiana’s First Dragstrip

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Elkhart, Ind. (July 12, 2022) – It’s no secret that NHRA Top Fuel veteran Terry McMillen has always had interest in owning a dragstrip. A few years ago when he was in the very public  process of purchasing Osceola Dragway in Osceola, IN, a lawsuit against the county for rezoning the property put the sale on hold.  The owners were eager to sell, and with the uncertainty of the pandemic and how long the lawsuit would last, McMillen gave them the option to sell to a different buyer who didn’t need the land rezoned to purchase. That buyer ultimately turned the land into farmland.

Over the next few years McMillen would check out tracks that were listed for sale, hoping to find one that made sense for the future of his family, but there was always something that made him rule each track out.

They say everything happens for a reason. Recently, McMillen was having a conversation with Mark Cregier, the track owner of Bunker Hill Dragstrip, in Bunker HIll, IN, the track where Cameron McMillen, Terry’s son races his Jr. Dragster. This conversation unexpectedly turned to health issues Cregier had been dealing with and his thoughts about possibly selling the track. It was during that conversation that McMillen realized why the deal with Oseola didn’t go through, and why the other tracks he looked at weren’t the perfect fit for his family. It was because the track meant for his family to own was Bunker Hill Dragstrip.  

In 2021 the McMillen family spent almost every weekend racing there. The racers welcomed them with open arms, and the McMillens were proud to call Bunker Hill, Indiana’s first dragstrip, their home track. This is also the track where Cameron got his first win, that in itself makes it a special place for their family. 

Before they knew it, Cregier and McMillen had put together a deal for the McMillen’s to purchase the track. 

“First of all I need to thank Mark for everything he has done at Bunker HIll Dragstrip. He bought the track during the pandemic to save it. He made several much needed updates to the facility and never stopped working on improvements, in fact, just last week the parts for the new track scraper he purchased were delivered. Our plan is to continue with what Mark started.”

The speed in which ownership will change hands feels like the 330 mph that McMillen is used to driving. Starting Friday July 15th, Terry, Cori, & Cameron McMillen will be the new owners/operators of Bunker Hill Dragstrip. Cregier has committed to helping them learn everything they need to know before he walks away. 

“If Mark wouldn’t have agreed to stay and help my family get started, I don’t think we could have done it. We are excited to work beside him and finish this season as a team.”

Ownership may be changing but it will be business as usual at Bunker Hill Dragstrip. Friday’s test and tune gates open at 5:00pm with cars on track at 6:00pm. It is 25 dollars to test and 10 dollars for spectators. Kids 12 and under are free. Saturday is a Summit Super Series points race featuring, Jr’s, Street, Sportsman, Modified, and Top along with the newest class to join the Bunker Hill racing family, Indiana Outlaw Gassers. Spectators are only 10 dollars and kids 12 and under are free.

FAN FAVORITE TERRY MCMILLEN ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR 2022 RETURN

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McMillen and Mercier team up for 2022 NHRA Camping World Series

– 2018 US Nationals winner will race part-time schedule with Dan Mercier Racing –

Elkhart, IN (January 21, 2022) — The 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season will see another familiar face in the Top Fuel ranks as fan favorite and 2018 US Nationals Top Fuel winner Terry McMillen today announced he will compete on a limited schedule, competing in six to eight national events in 2022, so he can continue to support his son Cameron’s junior dragster career. McMillen will race under the Dan Mercier Racing banner. 

[Read more…]

FIRST ROUND UPSET ENDS PROMISING DAY FOR MCMILLEN

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 12, 2020) — Terry McMillen and the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil Top Fuel team had momentum on their side after a day of testing on Friday and a solid day of qualifying yesterday at the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis.  Coming back to the track that a few years ago was the site of his biggest win, the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend, in 2018 the Elkhart, Indiana racer was full of positive energy. He had a brand new race car and the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel dragster was ready to battle with a tough Top Fuel field.

In the opening session of qualifying McMillen and his Ron Wendland tuned Top Fueler made the quickest pass of the day and grabbed three valuable bonus points and went in to the final qualifying session as the provisional No. 1 qualifier. In the second round a couple dragster ran quicker but McMillen stepped up and jumped to the No. 3 qualifier position and a strong feeling going into race day. The track conditions during testing and qualifying were hot and as the second session came to an end a huge thunderstorm rolling over the race track ending the day for the racers and setting up a race day with completely different race conditions.

The NHRA made a number of adjustments to their racing schedule to maximize a safe racing environment for the teams and fans which included an early race start at 9 a.m. local time. McMillen’s first round opponent was not your traditional No. 14 qualifier. He would be facing three-time Top Fuel champion Antron Brown who struggled in his only two qualifying runs.

The pair pulled up to stage and as the tree lit up both dragsters leapt off the starting line with Brown grabbing a slight edge. As both 11.000 horsepower dragsters accelerated McMillen pulled even and looked to be pulling away before he hazed his Goodyear tires. That loss of momentum opened the door for Brown to go around McMillen. The Amalie Motor Oil dragster did not give up as McMillen got off the gas and then mashed the throttle pedal back down firing his race car back into motion but he was too far behind Brown as the finish line approached. McMillen tripped the lights with a 6.659 second run at 89.70 mph, a far cry from his best qualifying effort of 3.812 seconds at 316.75 mph.  

“We had a good day of testing and a great day of qualifying,” said McMillen at the end of the day. “We were No. 1 after the first round and stepped up in the second round. I have a great team and my crew chief Rob Wendland has done an amazing job with these guys. We just didn’t capitalize on a great opportunity. We had the advantage I feel and we will not lose that heading into next week. I am already looking forward to getting back to the track and make the most of this opportunity to race the Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel dragster.”

Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.866 sec, 314.02 mph; Qual. 1
Q2: 3.821 sec, 316.75 mph; Qual. 3
Bonus Points: +3 (quickest of Q1)

Race Results
E1: Antron Brown, Indianapolis, Ind., 3.997, 242.71 mph def. Terry McMillen, Elkhart, Ind., Amalie Motor Oil, 6.659, 89.70 mph 

Terry McMillen Offers Fans Personal Mother’s Day Shoutouts

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Elkhart, Ind. (May 1, 2020) — Terry McMillen, the 2018 U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion, is offering fans the opportunity to have him send a special message to their mom this Mother’s Day. Through the CAMEO™ Marketplace, which lets fans book a personalized video shout-out from their favorite athlete, celebrity or entertainment personality, McMillen will make himself available starting today. Understanding many people may not be able to get out and see their mothers this Mother’s Day McMillen wanted to offer a unique gift to his NHRA fans. 

“I know a lot of our fans might not be able to take their moms to lunch this year or even see them if they are a first responder,” said McMillen. “I wanted to offer them the chance to send a personal message from me to their moms. NHRA is one big family and our AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil team is privileged to be a part of that family as well.”

Fans can visit cameo.com/terrymcmillen, fill out the request form and click the “book now” button. For $15 McMillen will record a personalized message to the fan’s mom and deliver more horsepower than a bouquet of flowers this Mother’s Day.

“I miss seeing all the fans’ families at the track so I thought this would be the next best thing. We are hoping to get back on the track as soon as we can do it safely for everyone. We are working hard in the shop every day and we definitely want to thank all the medical professionals, first responders and especially moms at this time of year,” added McMillen.

A link will be sent to the email and any cell number (via text) that fans provide when they order their Terry McMillen CAMEO video. The CAMEO video can be downloaded via the link emailed or texted, and fans have a non-commercial and personal license to use it forever.

Terry McMillen Racing based in Elkhart, Ind., is a Top Fuel drag racing team competing in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded in 2007 and has shown remarkable determination and dedication. McMillen won the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in 2018 and has qualified for the NHRA Countdown, the end of season playoffs, in 2017 and 2018. Throughout his career with longtime sponsor AMALIE® Motor Oil McMillen has raced to eight final rounds including a career best five finals in 2018.

AMALIE Motor Oil renews sponsorship with McMillen

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Extends one of the longest sponsorships in motorsports history

Harry Barkett, President of AMALIE Oil Company and Terry McMillen, Owner of Terry McMillen Racing

TAMPA, Fla. (March 14, 2019) – AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil announced today that the company will extend its sponsorship of Terry McMillen and the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel team through 2023. The extension encompasses a 23 year relationship.

“This has been an amazing relationship and we’ve always been proud to be part of the AMALIE Family,” said Terry McMillen. “We love representing the Barkett family and the employees and all of the AMALIE customers and partners. We’re looking forward to the next four years and beyond.”

“Just like AMALIE’s slogan the AMALIE/McMillen Sponsorship is Better than it has to be…,” said Harry Barkett, President of AMALIE Oil Company.

McMillen joins an exclusive club of drivers with multi-decade continuous sponsorships including; Kenny Bernstein (Budweiser 30 years), Richard Petty (STP 28 years), John Force (Castrol 15 years) and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (GM 15 years). McMillen’s relationship with AMALIE is believed to be one of the longest, currently active, primary sponsorships in motorsports.

The extension couldn’t come at a better time for McMillen as he and his team prepare for this weekend’s 50th AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. Besides featuring the fastest cars in motorsports, the event will also feature many of the legends of NHRA Drag Racing in the “Unfinished Business” tour as they match up on the track. Fans will get to see their favorite legends race again when “Big Daddy” Don Garlits faces Shirley Muldowney, “The Professor” Warren Johnson takes on Terry Vance, Kenny Bernstein squares off with Joe Amato and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme has a showdown with Ed “The Ace” McCulloch.

McMillen’s gator-themed racing team has experienced career best performances in the first two events of the year and he is expecting his performance to continue.

“Rob Wendland (Crew Chief) and this team have done a lot of work in the off season,” McMillen said. “We’re really seeing that hard work payoff at the track. We’ve set and reset our career best numbers at Pomona and Phoenix and with the conditions looking good here in Gainesville we’re expecting more of the same here. Rob’s still working on the tune-up, so we think there’s a lot more that we can accomplish. I can’t think of anything better right now that handing AMALIE that trophy on Sunday after we win the race.”

Professional qualifying starts Friday, March 15th at the historic Gainesville Raceway. For more information visit NHRA.com.

McMillen and his ‘INSTAGATOR’ Top Fuel Dragster roar into dowtown Gainesville for a display of power and precision

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McMillen in action © NHRA Media
McMillen in action © NHRA Media

GLENDORA, Calif.  – Terry McMillen, driver of the 10,000 horsepower AMALIE® Motor Oil INSTIGATOR dragster, will put on a display of power and precision in Gainesville on March 11 at noon in front of Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza restaurant at the Holiday Inn University Center.

McMillen and his team will light the wick on his Top Fuel dragster and let it thunder to life in front of area fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. When the car shuts off, the team will display the rebuilding process that teams take part in between rounds of racing at NHRA events across the country.

The highly-trained crew will begin a precise ballet where they remove major components of the car such as the blower, headers, pistons and change the oil in the engine. In less than 30 minutes, the team will fully reassemble the motor and restart the machine. This will all be done in the amount of time it takes to get an oil change at a quick service auto repair shop.

This event will also serve to kick off the start of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 12-15 at Auto Plus Raceway at Gainesville. This historic event is the East Coast opener for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and is one of the premier events on the circuit. Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Warren Johnson and Kenny Bernstein cemented their legendary status at the track through the years and drivers will again look to win the ‘Gators’ in sunny Florida.

The 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season is in full swing and has the potential to become one of the most exciting years in drag racing history. The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will once again battle for the coveted race victory at one of drag racing’s most tradition-rich events. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the race, which will once again be televised on ESPN2.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, March 13, with sessions at noon and 3 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, March 14, at noon and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 15.

Amalie Oil Company Announces 2014 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals Promotion

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this-could-be-you

Amalie Oil Company, North America’s largest privately held lubricant manufacturer, is giving away a VIP “Experience of a Lifetime” trip to the 2014 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida exclusively through a Facebook promotion (facebook.com/amalieoil).

Denny Madden, Amalie’s Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing stated, “Amalie Oil Company is extremely happy about continuing as title sponsor of one of drag racing’s premier events again this year.”  Amalie is especially excited to be able to bring racing fans an opportunity to be a part of the fun, and experience the race first hand through Amalie’s Facebook contest.”   Amalie is thrilled to have the Grand Prize winner get in on the action as our VIP guest!”

For more information – contact:

Andrew Bornstein
Vice President Global Sales & Marketing
Amalie Oil Company
Office:  813-248-1988 x431
Mobile:  813-727-9779
http://www.amalie.com

McMillen keeps in pink in Vegas with She4Life and Tahiti Village

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photo "c" RHonda McCole
McMillen sports a pink dragster for She4Life for the rest of the NHRA season

Las Vegas, Nev. – Terry McMillen is keeping it pink in Vegas. The Amalie Oil / UNOH / All Star Performance NHRA Top Fuel driver will not only race the pink gator-themed dragster again, but showed it off at Tahiti Village for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

On Wednesday, October 23, Terry and his dragster will make a special appearance from 11am-1pm at the Tahiti Village Resort and Spa located at 7200 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Fans and resort  guests will have an opportunity to meet Terry and enter to win tickets to the upcoming NHRA Toyota Nationals. With a donation to She4Life fans will also have the opportunity to have a name put on the car to honor or remember a friend or loved one who has fought or is fighting cancer.

“This is always a special time of year for our team,” McMillen said. “Tahiti Village is helping make it even better by allowing us to use their beautiful venue as a backdrop to help She4Life.”

Fans and resort guests are also invited to a “Chillin’ with McMillen” meet and greet from 6PM-7PM on Wednesday, October 23 at Tahiti Village. Tickets are free, but limited and should be picked up at the afternoon display.

McMillen will also make an appearance at the NHRA Fanfest at the Freemont Street Experience on Thursday, October 24, from 5PM-7PM.

Professional qualifying for the NHRA Toyota Nationals begins Friday October, 25.

photo copyright Rhonda McCole and Competition Plus

McMillen debuts pink car again to benefit She4Life

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mcmillen-diecastREADING, Penn. (October 2, 2013) – Terry McMillen’s Amalie Oil / UNOH / All Star Performance green, gator themed NHRA Top Fuel Dragster will turn pink again this October. McMillen’s hope is to raise awareness for breast cancer and money for She4Life, a charity that McMillen’s team holds dear to their hearts.

According to the American Cancer Society, Cancer prevalence in the United States is a little more that 12.5 million people.

“Cancer is something that touches all of us,” McMillen said. “If not directly, it’s indirectly through friends and loved ones. Racing with this pink car is something that everyone seems to relate to well.”

Three seasons ago McMillen debuted an all pink dragster in what some called the first since Shirley Muldowney raced her pink dragster in 1980. That first year McMillen’s pink team jerseys were auctioned off to benefit She4Life and raised a little over $3,000. Fast forward to 2013 and McMillen and She4Life have a number of opportunities for fans to participate.

With donation packages that range in names from “Warm Up” to “Wally” and prices from $40-$230, fans can get anything from a name on McMillen’s dragster to a package that includes a pink replica dragster, team pink jersey and more.

Other McMillen marketing partners have stepped in to support She4Life, inlcuding UNOH’s Steve Farmer who is helping to faciitate NHRA and NASCAR packages and airfare to Mark Adelizzi at Flatout Gaskets producing custom jewlery under his Marcus Creatus brand. Fans can also purchase McMillen’s pink diecast dragster at Plan B Sales (http://planbsales.com) where a portion of each sale goes to She4Life.

“She4Life is an organization that we’re proud to be associated with and it’s excting to see our marketing partners support them also,” McMillen said. “Mechanix Wear Gloves even produces pink gloves for our team to wear – Ray Murphy from T&R Graphics works tireless hours to get that pink car wrapped – everyone on our team really gets behind this it’s something we look forward to every year.”

McMillen will race the pink car for the remaining three races and packages will be available until the week October 31 or while supplies last. Visit She4Life.com for more details.