Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Knoll Gas – TORCO Race Fuels, found a combination for success at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton. The 4th Annual CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels proved that the beginning of summer may mark a turn in the teams 2006 outlook.
“There’s no doubt about it,” said McMillen. “The InstiGator is smiling again.” The Amalie Oil InstiGator team qualified fifth, and face 5-time World Champion and current points leader, Mark Thomas in the first round of eliminations. McMillen would hand Thomas his second loss of the 2006 season.
In a semi-final showdown with Thomas Carter, McMillen’s car experienced tire shake that would slow the car and give Carter the win. Carter would go on to win the event. The InstiGator team finds itself back in the points chase after Edmonton. “We feel pretty good about where we’re at right now,” said McMillen. The team is ahead of its 2004 points pace which saw the season end in a career best third place finish.
“Castrol Raceway has always been a good track for us,” McMillen added. “It’s a special place. There’s nothing quite like it. Everywhere I looked there were local companies that stepped up and provided one race sponsorships for teams. I know it helped a lot of teams.” The InstiGator team also partnered with Northern Provincial Pipelines and Cars RV & Marine & Motorsports for the event.
Lights, camera, action… and makeup? If racing wasn’t enough to keep McMillen busy, acting could always enhance his resume’. McMillen spent much of race week on Canadian radio and TV. Adding to his regular radio call-in shows, McMillen made a LIVE appearance on Global Edmonton during the morning show Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon highlighted a half hour LIVE segment on HelpTV where McMillen shared the spotlight with Rob Reeves, owner of Castrol Raceway and Dale Creasy, Jr., pilot of the TORCO Race Fuels Nitro Funny Car.
On Friday, McMillen spent nearly an hour on Edmonton’s A-Channel morning show. Giving rides in the No Limit Custom Coach 2-seat dragster to several contest winners along with the host of the morning segment. “We always have fun at these events,” said McMillen. “There’s nothing like seeing the smile on the faces of the folks that jump out of that dragster.”
The InstiGator team partners with high quality and high performance companies like; Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Fatheadz.com, Powershield Coatings, Crane Cams, eMax, C. Trade Group and No Limit Custom Coach.
