EDMONTON, Alb. – Professional drag racing teams from all across the United States will make their way across western Canada’s prairies to arrive this week in Alberta for one of Edmonton’s premier events. The Castrol Raceway will open its gates to host the Rocky Mountain Nationals (July 4-6), the fifth stop on the IHRA drag racing series. Many of the teams do so with the unprecedented support of Alberta area businesses, including the defending event champion in Top Fuel, Terry McMillen (Elkhart, Indiana) and the 2006 event champion and two-time defending IHRA World Champion in Nitro Funny Car, Dale Creasy, Jr. (Beecher, Illinois).
Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster looks forward to the race affectionally known as “The Rocky’s”. “Edmonton is a very special place for us,” McMillen said. “We earned our first career win here last year and that was great. But what really makes it a special place is the tremendous support we receive from the fans and businesses.” McMillen will also bring a second car, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car piloted by Ontario’s Paul Noakes.
Dale Creasy, Jr, driver of the Torco Nitro Funny Car agrees with McMillen. “It’s a long trip, but worth every mile we travel once we get here,” he said. Creasy earned his first career win in Edmonton, sparking his successful quest towards his first World Championship in 2006.
Behind every successful organization is the support of its partners, which is no different for McMillen and Creasy. Many of those partners see the value of being involved with the teams and the opportunities it provides for their employees and customers alike. Jet Label and Tape, president Darrell Friesen has been involved for several years. “It’s a great event, no doubt,” Friesen said. “Edmonton has the Indy car event, but we feel like the ‘Rocky’s’ provide a better experience for our employees and clients. The event is several days and we can be right in the middle of the action – right in the pits with the drivers and teams. There’s no other form of racing that provides that kind of interaction.”
McMillen and Creasy will tour the Jet Label and Tape facility and then participate in the companies second annual golf outing where McMillen’s and Creasy’s team will play along side Jet Label and Tape executives and clients.
“Dale and I are very proud of our involvement with Darrell and Jet Label,” McMillen said. “We’d love to get a win for them this weekend.”
The support from area business doesn’t end there. Paradise RV & Coach provides support for both McMillen teams with transporters and RVs. “Craig Anstead and all the folks at Paradise RV & Coach are the best in the business,” McMillen said. “The customer support and service that they provide is phenomenal. I can’t imagine anyone in the U.S. or Canada making a decision about an RV without first calling them.”
McMillen’s Funny Car team will also carry the multi-year event support of Global Power Systems and Dwight Kennedy’s Northern Provincial Pipelines while Creasy enjoys additional support from Harold Parfett of Ace Manufacturing.
The Castrol Raceway is Canada’s premier drag racing facility and provides the perfect location for a national event. “All of this would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of Rob and Kim Reeves,” McMIllen said. “They’ve always provided the best for the racers and fans. This year won’t be any different. They’ve added more seats a brand new racing surface and we always get to race in front of sell-out crowds. What more could we ask for?”
Qualifying sessions for the Rocky Mountain Nationals will be Friday and continue Saturday with final eliminations on Sunday.
