CHANDLER, Ariz. — Despite recent tough outings, including his first DNQ of the season at the last race, Terry McMillen will continue to bring an aggressive game plan to the NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend.
McMillen, the Amalie Oil/UNOH/Motor State Distributing Top Fuel driver feels there’s no better time than now to stay the course. “We’ve got everything in place,” McMillen said. “We’ve got the best sponsors and a great crew. We just need to catch a break. We’re going to concentrate on getting this car in the show and then we’re going to go after round wins. It’s really the same plan we started the year with. We’re just going to remain aggressive towards that goal. As crazy as that may sound, I believe we’re that close to having a break-out race.”
McMillen also thinks the Arizona heat could play a positive factor in his team’s success. “The hotter weather plays an import part for teams like ours,” McMillen said. “Richard (Hartman, crew chief) has a good warm weather tune-up. Plus, I think it evens the playing field up a little. Usually those teams that like to swing for the fence when we have mine shaft conditions have to tune their cars down a little when things warm up. I like our chances when it gets hot like it is here in Arizona this weekend.”
The Arizona race will also mark the second race that McMillen’s team will show off their Breast Cancer Awareness pink Top Fuel Dragster and pink crew jerseys. His team was recognized as the Best Appearing Crew at the last race in Reading. “It was really an honor for us to be recognized that way,” McMillen explained. “We thought it would be a nice thing to do to help bring awareness to breast cancer, but we really had no idea that it would touch so many people to the extent that it has. I’m constantly getting emails and phone calls from the people it has touched. So, I think it has been just as much a touching experience for us as it has been for the people fighting cancer.”
Mechanix Wear has even joined McMillen for the cause. The team will add special edition pink gloves from Mechanix Wear for the Arizona and Las Vegas races to round out October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
McMillen’s team has also found local support this race. Country Inn and Suites will join McMillen for the second time this season. This time their Mesa, Ariz. property will run a social networking campaign for a chance to win tickets for Saturday qualifying and Sunday eliminations. Learn more at their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CountryInnMesaAZ. Brent Berge’s Riverview Toyota in Mesa, Ariz. will also provide McMillen’s team with tow vehicles.
