MECHANICSVILLE, Md. – Terry McMillen headed into the President’s Cup Nationals looking for improvement for his Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster. While he found a marked improvement in his team’s performance, it wasn’t enough to advance them past the first round of eliminations.
The John “Bodie” Smith tuned dragster set the low elapsed time of eliminations (4.858 seconds) but McMillen couldn’t overcome Mike Strasburg’s 0.013 reaction time.
“John gave me a great car to work with on a hot track. I think we had the set up to win some rounds,” team owner and driver Terry McMillen said. “Bottom line – I’ve got to do a better job on the tree. People talk about having a reaction time like that with a fuel car and how unlikely that is, but Mike did it and I didn’t and that’s what drag racing is all about.”
McMillen gets back in the hunt for first win of 2008
BUDDS CREEK, Md. – Every race team evaluates their successes and failures and then compares the completed evaluation to the current situation. For Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster, the last 2 weeks have been an evaluation process that he can’t wait to put behind him.
“We’ve beat ourselves up pretty good these past two weeks,” McMillen said after failing to qualify for the Motor City Nationals. “It really hurts a lot to miss a race like that. That’s why I can’t wait to get back to racing. We can only beat ourselves up so much.”
McMillen no longer with Torco Race Fuels
ELKHART, Ind. – Hoosier Thunder Motorsports released a brief statement today regarding team owner Terry McMillen’s relationship with Torco Race Fuels. After a five year relationship, as of June 9, 2008 McMillen and Torco will no longer maintain a relationship.
“I wish Torco the best of luck in the future,” McMillen said. “It was just time for everyone to make a change. This will provide the perfect opportunity for us to concentrate on the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car.”
“We’re excited about the future and success of our racing program,” McMillen said. “There are some exciting things on the horizon for this team.”
Big weekend ends early for Noakes and InstiGator
MILAN, Mich.– After a catastrophic engine failure in Rockingham knocked the Hoosier Thunder team from contention, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car driven by Paul Noakes and tuned by Les Mellows, looked for big improvements at the Motor City Nationals. They didn’t have to wait long.
The team rolled the Dodge Avenger off of the transporter and immediately captured Friday night’s Last Man Standing Award and an additional five points with a 5.791 et at 244.03 mph performance. It was a career best performance for the car.
Saturday’s qualifying attempts would prove that the InstiGator’s performance wasn’t a fluke. Noakes would outrun Dale Brand during the afternoon session by posting a career best 5.754 et at 245.36 mph, remaining in the top spot after two sessions. Noakes would once again put his ride into the seventies during Saturday night’s session, only to be outdone by Brand’s run into the sixties.
The only spoiler for the weekend was a first round -.002 red light against Rob Atchison.
Gremlin keeps McMillen out of Motor City Nationals
MILAN, Mich. – Terry McMillen took his Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster to the Motor City Nationals with high expectations. After three qualifying attempts the team found itself on the outside of the top eight and parked for Sunday eliminations.
“It’s just one of those things,” McMillen said after the race. “We are very disappointed because up until Milan this car has been very consistent. We just couldn’t find the right set up for the track. Heck, I don’t think we could have found the track if we fell onto it.”
“We’ve just got one of those gremlins that hasn’t shown itself yet. I’ve got the best crew in the business, so I know we’ll get it figured out before the next race.”
McMillen will Race Into Reading at Prairie Heights Middle School again this year
ELKHART, Ind. – Terry McMillen will showcase the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car driven my Paul Noakes with a special appearance at the Prairie Heights Middle School in LaGrange, Ind. on Friday May 16, 2008 from 9AM to 2PM. The McMillen and InstiGator appearance will highlight the schools “Race Into Reading” program.
McMillen makes many appearances during the season, but the stop at Prairie Heights is always special becuase it’s an opportunity to spend some time with Heather Mills. Heather is the daughter of Richard and Sara Mills a long time friend of the McMillen family.
“Heather and her family are just as much a part of our family as anyone,” Terry said from his race shop in Elkhart. “It’s truly an honor for our team to be a part of this reading program. As racers, I think it’s important for us to encourage kids to do well in school.”
Ayrton Gerthe selected as PALS member
ROCKDALE, Texas — New Breed Racing’s Ayrton Gerthe has been selected to be a member of the Rockdale High School PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership) program for the 2008-2009 school year.
Ayrton was recommended by a RHS employee or current PAL member as a person who is a good example for others to follow, including being helpful, trustworthy, of good moral character, caring and able to work well with other people. He will receive training which will enable him to be placed in helping roles, including welcoming new students, providing academic support, mentoring students on other campuses, and presenting programs on important topics.
Ayrton is completing his sophomore year, and plans to take college classes this summer which will enable him to receive credits towards completing high school in May 2009 as a three year graduate. He is also a member of Student Council, FFA, and the gifted & talented program.
New Breed Racing is proud to partner with Torco Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Go Graphix, Vickery’s Speed Shop, Auto Meter Products, Harwood Industries, Parsley’s Chicken Express, Biondo Racing Products, and Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School.
Trick My Crew video is here
It’s official! CMTs Trick My Truck has rolled out the promo for the The Trick My Crew sweepstakes.
I’m just not sure who to ask for an autograph. Of course T-Mac is the star of the video when he says. “I’m just the nut behind the wheel.” But you can also check out crew chief John Smith motioning for someone to bring him that 5/8″ wrench. You can also see Steve Moore getting some quick clutch work done. Not to be outdone, there is some quick cameo appearances from Charlie, Chris and Archie.
You can also see the (now) world famous Austin “Coil” Lambright can be seen closing out the video celebrating another round win by the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster.
Check it out:
Alesi Gerthe – Most Likely to Succeed
New Breed Racing and Hoosier Thunder Motorsports teammate, Alesi Gerthe was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by her classmates at Rockdale High School in Rockdale Texas.
Alesi was all nominated for Class Favorite and Miss RHS. “We’ve always been proud of her accomplishments on and off the track,” Terry McMillen said. “She’s a very bright young lady and I know she will succeed at whatever it is she sets out to do.”
Alesi competes in IHRA’s Quick Rod division where she is currently 16th in points. Her brother Ayrton, competing in his first season of Quick Rod is 28th in points.
After graduation Alesi wants to pursue a degree in marketing.
New Breed Racing is proud to partner with Torco Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Go Graphix, Vickery’s Speed Shop, Auto Meter Products, Harwood Industries, Parsley’s Chicken Express, Biondo Racing Products, and Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School.
Rhonda McMillen recognized for outstanding customer service
We knew she was good at what she does and other people recognize it also.
Rhonda, co-owner of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, was recently presented with a plaque for Best Customer Service for her service at IHRA national events in the credential trailer.
Rhonda told IHRA.com, “This was really exciting! I was quite surprised and pleased by this award. It’s not always an easy task [getting credentials for race teams]! It’s all good, though, and I really appreciate being recognized for my work.”
You can read about Rhonda and other outstanding IHRA support staff by reading “IHRA Honors Team Members with IHRA Employee Awards“.
Congratulations and thanks go to Rhonda and all the recognized staff members. We couldn’t race without you.
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