Elkhart, IN – Terry McMillen, a perennial IHRA fan favorite, has competed in a variety of drag racing classes including Alcohol and Nitro Funny Cars. Now he’ll add Top Fuel to his resume’.
McMillen completed the first half of his Top Fuel licensing during testing in Rockingham last week and will complete licensing during the World Finals.
McMillen, a Chicago native, and his wife Rhonda are team owners of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, a mutli-car drag racing team based in Elkhart, IN. “We’re very excited about this opportunity,” McMillen stated. “There has been a tremendous amount of effort put into this project. It’s the culmination of a dream, a plan and hard work. Now, the real work begins.” Terry is quick to add, “None of this would be possible without the support from Andrew Bornstein of Amalie Oil, Evan Knoll Torco Race Fuels and all of the marketing partners who believed in our program. My wife Rhonda, my entire team and surrounding yourself with good people have allowed us to take our program to the next level.”
Evan Knoll, President TORCO Race Fuels and SKULL Gear, said, “We’ve been involved with a lot of race teams over the years, none quite as exciting as Hoosier Thunder Motorsports. Terry and his team work as hard for their partners as they do at racing.”
McMillen and Knoll, with his marketing juggernaut, have teamed together and will announce a unique partnership, brand new to drag racing. The Top Fuel team will officially unveil its car Friday in Rockingham.
Hoosier Thunder Motorsports also announced today one race sponsorships for the 10th Annual World Finals. Partners for the World Finals include:
Amalie Oil – Since 1903 Amalie has been ‘Better Than It Has To Be’ and continues it’s reputation for high-quality, well-engineered petroleum products. Amalie is the official motor oil of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), title sponsors of 2 major IHRA events (Amalie Oil Texas Nationals – San Antonio, TX and Amalie Oil North American Nationals – Epping, NH)and the primary sponsors of the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, one of the IHRAs most recognizable cars.
Eastern Race Fuels – The year 2005 will mark when Eastern Race Fuels stormed into race fuel distributorship, becoming the “racers friend” when handling the race fuel needs of professional and sportsman drivers alike. Eastern Race Fuels distributes a full line of TORCO Racing Fuels and additive fuel products, along with a full line of Amalie Oil products. The Hoosier Thunder Top Fuel Dragster marks the second professional car that carries the associate sponsorship of Eastern Race Fuels. The other is the legendary Scotty Cannon and his SKULL Gear Pro Mod car driven by son, Scotty Canon, Jr.
LGI Digital – Bo Kenny, President of LGI Digital, has been making his mark in the Top Stock category, not only by his record setting passes, but also by sponsoring or co sponsoring several cars in the Top Stock Category. LGI Digital, current class sponsors for Top Stock, will also sponsors the 2006 Top Stock Shootout with $40,000 in prize money. LGI Digital is a movie distributor that owns a small army of stores on the east coast.
“We’re proud to partner with these companies that we have been associated with for some time,” McMillen added. “It’s an honor and a privilege to carry the banners of these companies with us into Top Fuel racing.”
McMillen currently pilots the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, one of the most recognizable cars in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. The car is also featured in the IHRA Professional Drag Racing video game for XBOX, PlayStation2, PlayStation and PC. As soon as rumors surfaced about McMillen joining the Top Fuel ranks, the phone at his Elkhart, IN race shop began to ring. “Right now I have a driver in mind for the Funny Car,” explained McMillen. “That car (InstiGator) has a very strong identity and my relationship with Amalie is very important. Fielding 2 quality cars like this gives us endless possibilities to help our marketing partners.”
The Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team will field the Top Fuel Dragster for all IHRA and select NHRA races in the 2006 season. The InstiGator Funny car will compete at all IHRA events.
McMillen finished the 2004 season #3 in IHRA Funny car points, making 3 quarter-final, 5 semi-final and 1 final round appearance. While the 2005 season has yet to be completed, McMillen has already experienced 3 quarter-final, 2 semi-final and 2 final round appearances.
The ROCK Provides Best Chance For InstiGator
Rockingham, NC – Life is often compared to a rollercoaster ride — plenty of ups and downs with excitement in the middle. If life is a rollercoaster, then the IHRA is the state fair with at least 12 opportunities to ride that rollercoaster.
The 12th and final ride of the season begins October 7-9 during the 14th Annual World Finals at Rockingham Dragway. The Amalie Oil InstiGator, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, enters the race with 2 final, 2 semi final and 3 quarter final appearances for the season. “It’s been a good season and we’ve had our ups and downs,” commented team owner and driver Terry McMillen. “We’ve got some unfinished business. My team is hungry 
for that Iron Man.” Co-Crew Chief Tad “TV” Heflick added, “This will be our best chance to get our Iron Man.” Co-Crew Chief Brent “Skinny” Lidgard agreed, “It’s taken us awhile to find out what made the car happy – I can see the smile on that InstiGator’s face again.”
The Rockingham Dragway usually provides lots of speed for the fall event. In round 1 of qualifying McMillen set a personal best ET for the 2004 season (5.835 – in 2005 he reset his ET at 5.825). Last seasons fall event saw 23 funny car drivers fight for the right to race on Sunday. “It always seems that the competition is up for the finals,” said McMillen. “I’m certain there will be enough fun and excitement to go around when 8 cars try to make this field.”
“Any time that you set out to race in a season, you know that you’re going to have a few speed bumps,” said McMillen. “When that happens, it’s nice to know that someone has your back. Our backs were more than covered by the strong support of partners like Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams. Our season is successful because of them.”
Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car will begin qualifying at the Rockingham Dragway on Friday night, October 7. Elimination rounds begin on Sunday.
For tickets of information about the event, visit the Rockingham Dragway.
InstiGator Leaves Gremlin In Maryland
Elkhart, IN – In the wild, an alligator has few predators. The ferocious reptile rules the swamp without fear. Man is probably the natural enemy of the alligator.
The Amalie Oil InstiGator, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, experienced a natural predator at the 14th Annual TORCO Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals in the form of a “gremlin” living in the clutch of the InstiGator Funny Car. “We’ve changed every part on this car that could be changed,” explained McMillen. “For nearly 7 races now we’ve scratched
our head and wondered why our incremental times up until about half track were as good or better than most. Yet, our ET and MPH just wasn’t there at the top end. Well, we found the culprit in the clutch system. If there’s any team out there that thought we were going to just go through the motions in Rockingham, they better think again. We’re going to be there to be a spoiler for someone!”
The InstiGator team has spent the past 2 months tuning and retuning every aspect of the motor. Brent “Skinny” Lidgard, Co-Crew Chief added, “This car will run. Now that we’ve found the problem in the clutch I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Terry set new personal best ET and MPH at Rockingham.”
Tad “TV” Heflick, Co-Crew Chief was also optimistic. “There’s been a lot of frustration on this team, we stayed focused and worked through this adversity. Our goal is to get Terry an Iron Man before this season is over. Now that everything about the car is right – we’ll do it.”
The Elkhart, IN based team failed to qualify for the Maryland event that saw 19 cars fight it out for the 8 available spots. “While we certainly were disappointed,” explained Jim “Ogre” Walczak, Marketing Director, “we weren’t without consolation. “Skinny” provided some of us with chocolate. I certainly hope the IHRA reconsiders the 8 car field for Funny Car. Terry has done a lot of work talking to youth about drag racing. The more teams that we can include in the field the better opportunity for younger teams to get experience.”
The entire InstiGator team would like to thank the best partners in drag racing: Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams.
The Amalie Oil InstiGator will head into Rockingham, NC for the IHRA World Finals October 7-9.
Amalie Oil InstiGator Back On Track In Maryland
Budds Creek, MD – Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels shook off the summer slump with a semi-final appearance and new personal best ET and MPH in the in Epping, NH, putting the team back on track with a chance to make up ground in the points standings.
The 14th Annual TORCO Racing Fuels President’s Cup Nationals, contested at the Maryland International Raceway September 23-25, sets the stage for stop #11 on the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing series. McMillen qualified the InstiGator in the #3 position in the 2004 event, making his push to a career best finish. “This year isn’t different,” explained McMillen. “Tension will be turned up a notch for everyone with only two races remaining. We have to continue on the success that we had
in Epping if we’re going to make a run up the points ladder.”
The InstiGator team spent the week testing in Martin, MI during the Funny Car Nationals in preparation for the national event. Although the track was slick, McMillen was encouraged by the results. “Anytime that we can make hits on a track, we learn more about the car and our team; that’s a good thing.” Co-crew chief Tad “TV” Heflick had a different view. “We come out here to win. We give our driver the best car in the show – then he doesn’t deliver,” joked an upbeat Heflick. McMillen had one of the better performing cars that night and appeared set for a final round showdown with Mike Comella, before drawing a red light. “My guys have been having a lot of fun with that,” said McMillen. “That’s the third time in my career that I red lit. I don’t ‘guess’ at the tree. My reaction times are always consistent – check it out,” he argues in jest. “Hey, I would like to blame the timing equipment, but that would sound like an excuse. I’m just glad it’s out of my system before Maryland.”
McMillen (currently 5th in points)doesn’t think it’s to late to charge back in to the points race. “We’ve dug a little hole when we hit our summer slump, said McMillen. “Can we catch Robbie (Atchison) or (Jim) Sickles? That would be pretty tough at this point. Can we get ourselves back to being a top 3 team? If we do our job and get a little help, it’s certainly possible.”
McMillen will arrive in Maryland early again this week to continue his year long media blitz, doing radio shows and media day. “I enjoy doing these pre race events,” explains McMillen. It’s good for the IHRA and it’s good for our team and partners. We couldn’t do this if it weren’t for our great partners, like; Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams.”
Amalie Makes InstiGator Better In New England
Epping, NH – The 10th Annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals lived up to the title sponsors company slogan. The event was “Better Than It Has To Be” resetting world records in each of the professional drag racing categories.
Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, would not be out done, setting new personal best ET (5.825) and MPH (241.97) during the qualifying session. McMillen qualified the InstiGator #5 in the fastest Funny Car field in IHRA history. “This was tough weekend for the guy that has to rewrite the record books,” explained McMillen. “But, it was a great weekend for Amalie, their distributors and friends.”
McMillen continued his starting line dominance in eliminations with a 0.028 reaction time to nail 2 time IHRA Champion Rob Atchison to the tree, taking the round 
win and advancing to the semi-finals for a show down with Jim Sickles.
McMillen took a 0.033 starting line advantage in his race with Sickles (0.012 VS 0.045), but it wouldn’t be enough to upset the Caledonia, NY native who would go on to win the event in a showdown with 5 time IHRA Champion Mark Thomas. “Congratulations to Jim (Sickles) and his team,” said McMillen. “They threw 5.70s on that track and reset the mile per hour record book every time they rolled up to the tree. It was their weekend.”
While McMillen and his InstiGator team fell short of their goal to bring home the Iron Man for Amalie, the team leaves New England optimistic. “We’re excited about the improvement we saw for our team,” said Brent “Skinny” Lidgard, co-crew chief. Co-crew chief, Tad “TV” Heflick agreed, “With a new personal best under our belt, we’ve got something to work with for the next couple of races.”
“I’ve got the best sponsors and crew in the business,” said McMillen. “These guys worked together to fight through our summer slump. We couldn’t have done it without dedicated sponsors like Amalie Oil, TORCO RaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams.”
McMillen also spent the week meeting Amalie Oil distributors and signing autographs at area retail outlets. Andrew Bornstein, Amalie Motor Oil Business Development Manager, added, “This is our 10th season of involvement with this race. It gets better every year.”
SPEED TV added an in-car camera to the InstiGator during the final round of qualifying and for the elimination rounds. “I had a chance to get a ‘sneak peak’ at the footage,” said McMillen. “Anyone that wants to see what a Funny Car driver has to do to get down a drag strip should tune in! SPEED does a great job of getting fans into the race so they can get an idea of what it’s like.” The original broadcast for the event is scheduled for Saturday, 12/31/2005 at 5PM ET.
If it “ROCKS BOSTON” it must be Lyndon Byers (LB). LB, former Boston Bruin standout, and the WAAF 107.3 crew spent Saturday “Partying In The Pits” with the InstiGator team. The Boston radio station broadcasted live from the pits, interviewed McMillen and hosted a cookout for lucky listeners from their week long promotion.
Not to be out done, Greg and The Morning Buzz (100.3 WHEB) continued their banter with 
McMillen Saturday atop the timing tower. McMillen appeared in studio with show on Friday and followed up with Saturday’s live broadcast that featured one cast member (Laura) attempting a live interview while sitting in the car during a warm up. “We always have a lot of fun with these guys,” added McMillen.
The next stop for McMillen and the InstiGator team is the 14th Annual, TORCO Race Fuels President’s Cup Nationals, September 23-25, 2005 in Budds Creek, MD, just outside of Baltimore.
InstiGator Heads To Amalie Country
Epping, NH – The New England area is well known for its scenic country side, passion for baseball and abundance of fresh sea food. But, as the summer begins to lose its sting and the New England air hints of the fall season, drag racing fans know that it can only mean one thing. It’s time for the 10th Annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals. The IHRA Hooters Drag Racing event will be contested September 9-11 at the New England Dragway.
“The New England area has been Amalie country for over 80 years,” stated Andrew Bornstein, Business Development Manager for Amalie Motor Oil. “Our partners in that region provide over 100 retail outlets for Amalie products.” Amalie will host a hospitality tent trackside for friends and partners during the event.
Area distributors are also participating in an Amalie promotion during race week. Don Bosely, District Manager Northeast explains, “Amalie is running radio spots all week in the New England area. Anyone who purchases an Amalie product at one of the area distributors will get a Amalie Oil InstiGator Die Cast car while supplies last.”
Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, kicked off race week early with a radio appearance Tuesday morning. “We’re always excited about being here,” stated McMillen. “We love getting here early and spending time with all of our friends at VIP – Parts, Tires and Service, Sanel Parts Plus, Robbins Auto Parts and Auto Value.”
McMillen will make several radio and personal appearances throughout the week. Radio appearances began Tuesday and will continue through Friday when Terry spends time with Greg and the Morning Buzz. The Morning Buzz is syndicated across New England, making it one the regions top radio shows. “I spent an hour with these guys last year,” McMillen said. “They’re a fun bunch. Plus, we put Laura (one of the show personalities) in the car last year. It made great radio.”
McMillen and the InstiGator Funny Car will also make several appearances throughout the week to show the car and sign autographs. On Tuesday, Sanel Parts Plus hosted an event at their store in Exeter, NH. Sanel Part Plus will also host an event at their Manchester, NH store on Thursday.
On Wednesday, VIP – Parts, Tires and Service will host McMillen at their Somersworth, NH store.
While it’s a busy week for McMillen around the New England area, he knows race week begins at the starting line on Friday. “We’ve got to roll off of the truck ready to go,” said McMillen. “In the past we’ve had success here, but this is as big a race as any. You can bet that all of the teams will going for it. There’s no reason to conserve parts now. It’s time to put it all on the line.”
McMillen qualified the InstiGator in the #4 position and made a semi-final appearance in the 2004 contest.
InstiGator Improvements Not Enough For Norwalk
Norwalk, OH – The Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, sees improvement at the 24th Annual Skull Gear World Nationals but falls short of desired goal. “Every time we pack up for a race, we expect to win it,” said McMillen.
Eighteen Funny Cars showed up at the famed Norwalk Raceway Park to qualify for one of the eight available spots. While racing for eliminations on Sunday, the competitors reset the #5 IHRA Quickest Fields in Funny Car record with a 5.957 second field, leaving McMillen and his InstiGator just .005 short. “No doubt, we’re disappointed,” said McMillen. “There hasn’t been much rest for this team,” explained Tad “TV” Heflick, Co-Crew Chief, “and we won’t rest until the Amalie Oil InstiGator is back in the finals.” Co-Crew Chief, Brent “Skinny” Lidgard added, “This car has run in the ‘.80s and it will run in the ‘.80s again.”
The team enjoyed an eventful week, participating in the “Thunder in the Streets” event. McMillen also spent time Thursday on Cleveland’s popular WMMS and WXTM radio stations before heading to Toledo for an in-studio TV interview during the evening news. “Thursday was a great,” said McMillen. “It’s a fun way to promote the race and Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams.”
The next stop on the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Schedule is the 10th Annual Amalie Oil North American Nationals brought to you by Auto Value Stores. The event takes place September 9-11 at the New England Dragway in Epping NH.
Amalie Oil InstiGator Thunders Into Norwalk
Cleveland, OH – Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, will thunder into Norwalk, OH to begin race week a day early. The annual “Super Bowl” of Hooters IHRA Drag Racing kicks off Wednesday, August 24 with “Thunder In The Streets”. “We never miss “Thunder In The Streets,” explained McMillen. “It’s an outstanding event that the whole community embraces – it just wouldn’t be Norwalk without it.”
The 24th Annual Skull Gear World Nationals (August 25-28) kicks off as beautiful downtown Norwalk closes down Main Street as many professional teams, including the InstiGator, showcase their cars along this picturesque slice of Americana starting at 3PM. “This event has grown so much since it started 9 years ago,” added McMillen. “It’s really something for the families and fans of northern Ohio.”
“Thunder In The Street” includes family friendly activities, plenty of food, and Mike Albert and the Big E Band to cap off the evening. Also included in the day’s activities are a 5K run, a hot rod cruise, and plenty of Harleys.
While being involved in the pre-race events is always motivating for the InstiGator Team, McMillen never loses sight of the goal. “We’ve got a huge race here,” said McMillen. “Everyone marks the calendar for Norwalk Raceway Park. I would imagine that we’ll see competitor car counts approaching or surpassing one thousand. That’s allot of cars – but we’ve got our work cut out for us in Funny Car.”
While two-time IHRA Funny Car Champion Rob Atchison and his team continue to add to their points lead, everyone knows that the season is far from over. In a pre-race interview with IHRA.com, Atchison said, “IHRA Funny Car is a tough class loaded with talent so no lead is too large to overcome. Last year we trailed by the same amount of points that we are ahead and we fought our way back to win the championship.” McMillen commented, “On one hand that gives us encouragement, on the other hand we know that those guys aren’t letting up for a minute. Unless they’re going to start using an anchor for a wheelie bar it’s going to be up to us to race around them.”
The action in Funny Car begins Friday.
McMillen Faces Atchison In Martin
Martin, MI – Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, stormed into the 24th Annual TORCO Racing Fuels Northern Nationals with high expectations and hopes. The Grand Rapids Press featured McMillen in their Thursday Auto Racing Edition with an article titled “McMillen becomes a drag racing animal” and then on Friday the Kalamazoo Gazette featured McMillen again in “This car has teeth”. McMillen added, “What a great opportunity that was for our sponsors across greater Michigan.”
Team InstiGator worked hard to find a tune-up that would put the hemi powered Dodge Avenger quickly down the 1/4 mile drag strip known as US 131 Motorsports Park. The team was able to secure a seventh qualifying position, setting up a first round showdown between McMillen and Rob Atchison. McMillen once again took a starting line advantage, but wasn’t able to keep the InstiGator in front of Atchison. The London, Ontario based team went on to win their sixth of eighth events. “Rob is on a roll.” McMillen said. “He’s only been beat twice this year – we’ve had the privilege of doing it once, he’s tough to catch right now. Our hats are off to them. We’ll reload, retest and see if we can find something for him in Norwalk.”
TORCO Racing Fuels provided a huge hospitality area utilizing the opportunity to entertain their existing and future client base. TORCO Race Fuels high performance product line also includes the Amalie Oil product line. “It was a great weekend. I can’t think of a better way to get everyone involved with great companies like TORCO and Amalie,” said McMillen, “trust me when I say that Evan Knoll, Owner of TORCO, knows how to throw a hospitality party”. Evan had a competition cook from San Antonio provide the feast for over 400 guests, and what a feast it was. A Tip of the Gator’s Hat for a job well done.
The Cleveland Ohio area is the next stop for McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels. Often referred to as the “Super Bowl” of drag racing, the 24th Annual Skull Gear World Nationals is contested at Norwalk Raceway Park August 24-27.
InstiGator To Romp In The Swamp
Grand Rapids, MI – It will be hard to find a mud puddle during this weekends TORCO Racing Fuels Northern Nationals at the beautiful US 131 Motorsports Park. But, if you’re the Gator and it’s your home track, there’s nothing quite like a swamp to make you feel at home. 
Terry McMillen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuels, splash into Martin for a little romp in the swamp on the eight stop of the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing series. “It’s our home track, we’ve tested and raced more here than anywhere,” explained McMillen. “It’ll be a great weekend for TORCO and all of their associates, we certainly plan on putting on a show for our fans and sponsors.”
McMillen has proven he can pilot his machine the 1320 feet of drag strip at the northern Michigan track, making semi-final appearances two out of the last three seasons. “We’ve had success at this track,” McMillen added. “We’ve got to go rounds starting now to stay in the championship hunt”.
The InstiGator team found inspiration this week from the many fans and competitors that sent emails of encouragement, including one from a funny car competitor reminding the team that they are only 25 points behind last seasons pace, which ended in a career best third place finish.
The Elkhart, Indiana driver who always finds time for fans will be participating in media day, Thursday, August 18 and will be in a midweek feature article in the Grand Rapids Press. “This is what racing is all about,” said McMillen. “We’ve got the best fans, they’re always there to cheer us on and I can never say enough about our partners. Andrew and the gang at Amalie give us the best chance to compete with their entire line of oils and lubricants. While there’s bit a lot written about him lately, no one can ever say enough about Evan Knoll and all that he has done not only for this team, but all of drag racing. Mark at Flatout Gaskets has been behind us and a big reason we are competitive week in and week out. I wouldn’t run anything but Flatout Gaskets on my cars! Roy at Crane Cams has been there for us all year long and Jon at NGK Spark Plugs and Joe at MSD and Jack at Performance Graphics and all of the people that work hard at Powershield Coatings.”
The TORCO Racing Fuels Northern Nationals is contested August 12-14 at the US 131 Motorsports Park just outside of Grand Rapids in Martin, Michigan. For more information contact:
http://hoosierthunder.com
http://www.us131motorsportspark.com/
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