Fresh off a semi-final showdown at the Rocky Mountain Nationals, Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator motor into Detroit, July 7-9, for race a little closer to home, the Suzuki Motor City Nationals. The Knoll Gas – TORCO Race Fuels powered race team jumped to fifth in points following the last event, about four competition rounds from second place.
“We’re looking for big things to happen in Milan,” said McMillen. “We made some nice progress in Edmonton, now we’re looking to be consistent and get some more rounds under our belts. We’re certainly motivated by our recent success, but we’re far from satisfied.” With seven races left on the eMax Drag Racing Series schedule, the Amalie team finds itself on pace with its 2004 effort which resulted in a third place overall in points. “There’s a lot of racing left to do,” said McMillen. “It will be interesting to see how it turns out.”
The InstiGator team also found time to share with the men and women of the US Armed Forces this Independence Day. Master Chief Lee McKinney serves at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. McKinney is also an IHRA National Event official. Several times during the season McKinney gathers racing souvenirs to send to the troops overseas. “It such an easy thing to participate in,” said McMillen. “Yet, it means so much to those that serve far away from their families and friends. We can’t thank Lee enough for doing this on behalf of the racers. Every team should contact Lee about this project.”
While drag racing t-shirts and souvenirs bring smiles to men and women overseas, the sport continues to gain recognition and now offers a chance for everyone to participate. Melanie Troxel, top fuel pilot of the Skull Gear Dragster that competes in NHRA competition has been nominated for two ESPY Awards. In a CompetitionPlus.com interview, Troxel told reporters, “It’s a tremendous honor to be considered for an ESPY award as best driver. To be even nominated among the outstanding racing drivers on the list is something I could never have dreamed of achieving.”
McMillen added, “Everyone makes a big deal about Melanie being a female driver. She’s a great driver and a great spokesperson for drag racing, no matter the gender. She and her team have worked hard and deserve everything that they achieve.”
Troxel has ESPY nominations for Female Athlete of the Year and Best Driver. Her Best Driver nomination will align her with NASCAR superstars Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. Racing fans can have a voice in the outcome by visiting the 2006 ESPY Awards site and voting before July 9th.
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.
