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You are here: Home / Archives for News & Blog

Consistency not enough for McMillen

September 2, 2019 By Jim

photo © Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (September 2, 2019) – After finding the consistency the team had searched for much of the summer, defending U.S. Nationals Champion Terry McMillen and his AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ team fell to Steve Torrence in the opening round. The loss and Billy Torrence’s win ended McMillen’s hopes for The Countdown to the Championship.

“We didn’t make the Countdown and that sucks,” McMillen said. “But, it really didn’t come down to this race. We gave up too many rounds during the season. It was just more than we could try and make up for in one race.”

McMillen made five solid runs during qualifying and eliminations all in the 3.76 to 3.78 elapsed time windows in what turned into the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA history.

“This is a good team,” McMillen continued. “We’ll go into spoiler mode. There’s six races left and while we can’t win the Championship we can make a difference in that outcome. Plus, it’s never to early to start building for next season”

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen leaves Brainerd with a plan

August 18, 2019 By Jim

photo © Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 18, 2019) – Terry McMillen and his AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel team didn’t accomplish what they set out to do in Minnesota, but the defending U.S. Nationals Champion has a plan to stay in the Countdown with one race remaining.

“We changed a couple of components to help us get more consistent,” McMillen explained after his first round loss to Doug Kalitta. “We’re just going to have to link our wounds after this loss and come back with a combination that we can make a run at this with. The right lane was a little tricky early after the rain the night before. We just missed it. It is what it is.”

McMillen still holds a slight lead for the tenth spot in the Countdown, just seven points over Scott Palmer and 41 points over Billy Torrence. Point values at the U.S. Nationals are worth 1.5 more than normal.

“We’re headed for Indy for some Thursday testing.” McMillen said. “There’s never a margin for error in drag racing. The U.S. Nationals will just prove it that much more.”

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen finds consistency on the Western Swing

August 4, 2019 By Jim

photo ©Burghardt Photos and CompetitionPlus.com

KENT, Wash. (August 4, 2019) – Terry McMillen and the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ team struggled through the first part of the Western Swing, but hopefully have found the consistency needed to hold on for a spot in the NHRA Countdown. McMillen earned five bonus points over the past two races, yet failed to notch a round win.

“It’s the best weekend we’ve had in a long time,” McMillen said of the recent Northwest Nationals held just outside of Seattle. McMillen remains in the Top 10, six points ahead of Scott Palmer and 66 points ahead of Billy Torrence.

“It’s tight right now for the last spot,” McMillen continued. “I have to be looking over my shoulder at Scott and Billy, but at the same time I’m looking forward at Prock and Crampton. We’ve been here before. I can tell you this, we’re going to go down swinging.” Austin Prock and Richie Crampton are tied for the eight spot, 77 points ahead of McMillen.

McMillen earned two bonus points in the first qualifying session in Sonoma and then earned an additional three points with the quickest elapsed time of the third session in Seattle.

“Every point counts,” McMillen said. “We just came up short on race day. Consistency is the key down the stretch. If we can keep making consistent runs and keep improving, we’ll be right where we need to be when the Countdown starts.”

Two races remain before the Countdown. The next is the Brainerd, Minnesota, August 15-18 and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis August 28 – September 2 where McMillen will defend his U.S. Nationals title.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen runs low elapsed time of eliminations in first round win

June 23, 2019 By Jim

photo ©Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com

NORWALK, Ohio (June 23, 2019) – Terry McMillen, driver of the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel dragster posted the low elapsed time of eliminations in his first round win over Austin Prock. The win moves McMillen to ninth in the points standings and just eight points from Richie Crampton. McMillen would turn on the red light in his round two match up with veteran Pat Dakin.

“That was a pretty stout run,” McMillen said of his first round win. “We made up some ground (in the points standings), so that was good. We’re getting back where we need to be.”

“That second round loss was all me,” McMillen said of his rare red light start. “In the second round the track was getting tricky. I’m not sure it was going to make it, but I didn’t give us a chance. It happens, that’s racing. Our mind is already focused on Epping.”

McMillen qualified sixth for the event, his third highest start of the season. “Overall it was a good weekend,” McMillen said. “We got to meet a lot of people from Tub O’ Towels and it was great to see their excitement for NHRA Drag Racing.”

The NHRA New England Nationals will be July 5th – July 7th at the New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen fights back into Top 10 at Bristol

June 16, 2019 By Jim

photo © Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com

BRISTOL, Tenn (June 16, 2019) — For the sixth time this season, Terry McMillen and his AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ team qualified in the top half of the field for an NHRA race. McMillen and his Rob Wendland led team posted a 3.795 elapsed time in the second qualifying session to secure their position. The cooler (yet still hot) Bristol conditions allowed for aggressive performances on Friday night and back to finessing the tuneup on Saturday and Sunday.

McMillen would face RIchie Crampton in the opening round of eliminations. A solid 0.055 reaction time and some skillful driving would give McMillen his first round win since Charlotte, ending his four race drought.

“We needed that,” McMillen said of the round win. “It was a good morale booster for the team. The car got out there and dropped a couple of holes and made for an interesting ride, but I’m glad we were able to hold on for the win.”

In the second round, McMillen would face Crampton teammate Doug Kalitta. McMillen would leave again first with an 0.026 light and looked to be on the path to a sure win as Kalitta smoked the tires at the hit. Suddenly near half track, McMillen’s car would start to drop cylinders causing the pan pressure switch to shut the car off. Once Kalitta saw that he pedaled the car and was able to run down McMillen at the finish line as all McMillen could do was coast to the loss.

“That was a tough one,” McMillen said. “There wasn’t much I could do at that point. I could see the finish line right in front of me and I could hear Doug coming on strong.”

“We want to build on this going into Norwalk and get stronger as we head towards the countdown.”

The next race is the final race of the ‘back to back’ four race Eastern Swing. Tickets are still available for the Norwalk, Ohio race June 20-23.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

TERRY MCMILLEN RACING FEATURED BY YOUTUBE STAR STEPHEN SHARER AT VIRGINIA NATIONALS

May 29, 2019 By Jim

Terry, Cori and Cam with Stephen Sharer and John

ELKHART, Ind. (May 29, 2019) — During the 2nd annual Virginia NHRA Nationals Terry McMillen Racing hosted YouTube star Stephen Sharer, introducing the social media personality to the sights and sounds of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing. McMillen, driver of the AMALIE® Motor Oil XTERMIGATOR®, became familiar with Sharer through his son Cam’s interest in the Sharer’s wildly popular family-friendly videos online. 

Sharer recently posted his adventures and experiences on his YouTube channel which has over 6.5 million subscribers. The video follows Sharer as he absorbs a Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event for the first time and includes behind the scenes and on-track highlights from McMillen’s Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel team as well as other sights and sounds in the pits. The video can be viewed here: Stephen Sharer Experiences NHRA Virginia Nationals

“Watching the Top Fuel dragsters was an exhilarating experience unlike any other,” said Sharer of his day at the NHRA races. “I had an epic day supporting team McMillen and experiencing the family-friendly fun. I can’t wait to come back next year!”

This is the second time a member of the Sharer family has experienced the excitement of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing. Last year McMillen Racing hosted Stephen’s younger brother Carter and sister Lizzy, also YouTube stars in their own right, at the Inaugural Virginia NHRA Nationals. The videos chronicling Carter’s and Lizzy’s adventures with McMillen’s son Cam garnered millions of views.

“We had a blast introducing Stephen to NHRA drag racing and our Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel team. I became part of the Sharer Fam when Cameron subscribed to Stephen’s YouTube channel, and now that Stephen has been to the races we consider him part of the Amalie Family,” said McMillen. “It was amazing to see Stephen interact with other drivers and the fans in Virginia. He had no idea what he was going to see and he was blown away by everything. I am thrilled we were able to introduce Stephen and his brother Carter plus their millions of fans to a sport that my whole family loves.”

Stephen Sharer is part of the SHARER FAM. Together, Stephen, his brother Carter as well as his sisters Lizzy and Grace, and their dog Otter create crazy adventures, #Vlogs, and overall epic videos. Stephen’s goal is to provide his fans with awesome, family friendly videos.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen teams up with ATG Intelligent Glove Solutions

May 28, 2019 By Jim

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 28, 2019) – Terry McMillen, team owner and driver of the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel team announced today a partnership with ATGⓇ Intelligent Glove Solutions. The deal will make ATG’s MaxiFlexⓇ Glove the official glove of Terry McMillen Racing.

“Drag racers, specifically Top Fuel teams, put gloves to the ultimate test as we rebuild these motors often and in tough conditions every weekend,” McMillen said. “These gloves are extremely comfortable and highly durable and our team trusts their most important tool — their hands — with these gloves to get the job done.”

“ATG is excited to team up with Terry McMillen Racing for the next three seasons,” said Kyle Browning, Director, Global Sales for ATG. “With a large percentage of the NHRA fan base involved in many of our major markets, specifically within the automotive and construction industries, we feel this will be an excellent platform for brand exposure of ATG® and our flagship product, MaxiFlex. We are really looking forward to supporting NHRA fan favorite Terry McMillen behind the wheel.”

Visit ATG to learn more about their full line of gloves at https://www.atg-glovesolutions.com/en

Filed Under: News & Blog, Sponsor News

McMillen comes up short at Virginia Nationals

May 19, 2019 By Jim

photo © Roger Richards and CompetitionPlus.com

Richmond, Va. (May 19, 2019) – Terry McMillen and the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel team fell to Billy Torrence in the opening round of the Virginia Nationals. The team rebounded from the DNQ in Atlanta, qualifying eighth for Sunday eliminations.

“We might have let one get away from us there,” McMillen said of the loss. “It was the hottest conditions we’ve seen so far this year and we just missed it a little. Summer was here this weekend. We’ll be ready for it in Chicago.”

One of the highlights of the weekend was a visit from YouTube star Stephen Sharer.  Sharer’s YouTube channel has over 6.5 million subscribers. “This guy is a rock star,” McMillen said. “We were honored to spend the day with him. He’s a genuine guy and kids of all ages were following him around to get autographs. He shot a bunch of footage of his time at the race, so we’re looking forward to seeing it on one of his upcoming vlogs.”

McMillen also has big plans for Memorial Day weekend and he’s hoping you’ll join him. The 2019 Lane Automotive Cruise-In and Car Show takes place Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25th and the AMALIE team will be there for the Cacklefest on Saturday. The car show is free for attendees. “We always mark this on our calendar and look forward to it,” McMillen said. “There are so may great hot-rods on display. There’s never enough time to see them all.”

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen makes final quad at Four-Wide Nationals

April 28, 2019 By Jim

CONCORD, NC. (April 28, 2019) – Terry McMillen and his AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ made the most of their trip to the Charlotte area when the team powered his Top Fuel Dragster to a final round appearance at the Four-Wide Nationals.

McMillen made consistent qualifying passes, of 3.728, 3.794 and 3.793, earning him the number three starting position. He would advance through the first and second rounds of eliminations, setting up the second final quad appearance of his career in a Four-Wide race.

“It felt good to get back to winning rounds today,” McMillen said. “We’ve had a really strong car all season and it hasn’t really shown up in the round win column as much as we wanted it to. So, today felt not as good as we wanted it to, but better.”

The strong qualifying effort, coupled with the round wins, moved McMillen from 10th in the point standings to eight, just eight points behind Antron Brown.

The team now heads to Commerce, Georgia fo continue the momentum they gained at this race. They’ll  compete in the Arby’s NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, Friday, May 3, with eliminations on Sunday May 6.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

McMillen roles snake eyes in first round at Las Vegas

April 8, 2019 By Jim

photo © Burghardt Photos and CompetitionPlus.com

LAS VEGAS (April 7, 2019) – ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, once a marketing slogan for the city, now something Terry McMillen hopes he can use to put this weekend’s race behind him.

McMillen, driver of the AMALIEⓇ Motor Oil XTERMIGATORⓇ Top Fuel Dragster was hoping for a little luck at the Vegas 4 Wide Nationals. The career best performances that McMillen has been experiencing this season hasn’t really been reflected in the race day results and it was something he wanted to improve on this race. However, for the third race this season, McMillen falls to Doug Kalitta on small hole shot.

Steve Torrence paced the 4 wide race with a 3.729 elapsed time as McMIllen and Kalitta chased him for the second car to advance. McMillen’s 0.069 reaction time with a 3.770 elapsed time was not enough to overcome Kalitta’s 0.051 reaction time at 3.780. Kalitta’s margin of victory was just 0.008 seconds.

“That was my fault,” a disappointed McMillen said after the race. “I used to think a .069 light was pretty good. Not anymore. We outran them and Doug beat me on the tree… again. I just have to get better. I let the team down and I let our marketing partners down.”

McMillen won’t have long to worry about that loss. The season continues next week at The NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park,  April 12-14.

Filed Under: News & Blog, Post Race Reports, Race Reports

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