COMMERCE, GA. – While Terry McMillen’s Amalie Oil/UNOH Top Fuel Dragster is based out of Elkhart, Ind. this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals will feel a lot like home for McMillen’s team.
“This is almost like a home race for us,” McMillen said. “About half our team lives about 45 minutes from the track. So besides the UNOH and Amalie VIP guests that we’re planning for this weekend, we’ll probably have as many family and friends at this race. It certainly adds excitement and raises the level of expectation for our team.”
McMillen’s team put together its best qualifying performance of the season in Houston, posting their first top half qualifying position. McMillen’s team also earned another bonus point during qualifying for being one of the top three best of session. This brings their season total to five points.
“We didn’t even know qualifying bonus points existed last season,” McMillen joked. “It’s nice to see that improvement.”
Now McMillen hopes that Atlanta will be his team’s breakout race.
“We certainly feel like we’re doing a little better this year than we did at this point last year,” McMillen continued. “Qualifying in the top half field at Houston let us know that the car is starting to respond to the changes we are making and we’re continuing to pick away at the little things that seem to be keeping us from being as consistent as we want to be on race day. We’re expecting that continue this weekend in Atlanta. Hopefully that translates to another top half qualifying effort and some round wins on Sunday.”
Adding to the weekend excitement for McMillen is Commerce Chrysler Dodge Jeep who provided the team with a tow vehicle and McMillen with a Dodge Challenger SRT. “Angie, Bobby and the team over at Commerce Chrysler Dodge Jeep are incredible,” McMillen said. “Having a chance to cruise around town in a Challenger SRT is pretty amazing. The car is a head turner from the time you hit the ignition switch. We put a post on our Facebook page about it and everyone voted that I enter it in competition and get a time slip to show. While it’s tempting to do, it’s not my car, so we’ll just have to enjoy it for the weekend. I’m sure if someone wanted to buy it and take it to the track they wouldn’t object.”
