ENNIS, Tex. – Terry McMillen’s Amalie Oil/UNOH/Motor State Distributing Top Fuel team saved their best performance of the AAA Texas NHRA Nationals for Sunday eliminations. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to advance the Elkhart, Ind. based team into the second round.
McMillen started the race from the 14th position and faced Rod Fuller for the third consecutive race in round one of eliminations. McMillen took a slight advantage at the start of the race (.071 to .075 reaction time) and lead past the 330 ft. cones. A dropped cylinder would slow McMillen to a 3.955 e.t. to Fuller’s winning 3.901 e.t.
“We struggled a little in qualifying,” McMillen said. “But we were able to make a race out of it today. We just came up short. Fuller and Vandergriff have a couple of good hot rods over in their camp right now. That’s another tough team we’re going to have to contend with. There aren’t too many independent teams out here. We’re getting better – we just need a break somewhere.”
McMillen also wanted to thank Cowboy Toyota and MCM Grande Hotel Fundome for their support this weekend. “We had a great time visiting with Stephanie Moore from MCM Grande Hotel. It was her first national event. It was fun to be a part of her experience and the hospitality that she showed our team was amazing. We also had a great time with Patrick Davalos from Cowboy Toyota on Sunday. Just like all the people we met in Texas – some of the most friendly in all of the country.”
