Elkhart, IN – Drag Review Magazine (DRM) the official publication of the IHRA, featured Terry McMillen in the current issue (#8) of their bi-weekly publication. DRM is distributed to nearly 25,000 fans, racers and sponsors primarily in the U.S. and Canada.
McMillen, driver and team co-owner, with wife Rhonda, of the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team pilots the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car powered by TORCO Racing Fuels. Mike Perry, Assistant Editorial Director for DRM, penned his article after the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals. The feature highlights Team InstiGator’s quest for its first IHRA Ironman trophy. It also chronicles the involvement of Terry, his team and other drag racers working side by side to help defending Funny Car Champion, Rob Atchison, rebuild his engine before the McMillen – Atchison final round contest.
While much has been made about the circumstances around the event, McMillen chooses to down play the attention. “I’m thankful for the recognition,” McMillen explains. “If we had it to do all over again, we would do it the same way. For about six seconds we are fierce competitors, the rest of the time we’re all pretty close. Rob and his team have helped us the same way.” The Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team races with top tiered, high performance companies like Amalie Oil, TORCO Racing Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams.
Mike Perry’s article from DRM’s “Perry’s Chronicles”, is reprinted below with permission from IHRA.
McMillen Returns To Defend Thunder Nationals Title
Elkhart, IN – Terry Mc Millen and his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car powered by TORCO Race Fuels returns to the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan to defend his Thunder National title. The May 14 event is sanctioned by World Alcohol Racers (WAR) and sponsored by TORCO Racing Fuels, the official racing fuel of the IHRA and WAR.
Mc Millen’s Amalie Oil InstiGator Teams Up With NAPA At The “Rock”
Rockingham, NC – Terry Mc Millen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car will team up with area Carolina NAPA dealers at IHRAs 35th Annual Spring Nationals contested April 22-24 at the Rockingham Dragway. Currently second in the IHRA Hooters Racing Series points race, Mc Millen, an IHRA fan favorite will be available to meet fans and sign autographs while the InstiGator funny car is on display from 10:00AM – 5:00PM this Thursday (April 21) at Barnes Motor & Parts Company in Rockingham. Barnes Motor & Parts Company is located at 728 East Broad Avenue.
We had a lot of fun and success with this program in San Antonio,” stated Mc Millen. “NAPA is quality parts and service and Amalie is ‘better than it has to be’. I know I can find Amalie Oil for my car at area Carolina NAPA Auto Car Centers in Charlotte and High Point North Carolina and Columbia South Carolina.” The InstiGator team is expecting over 300 NAPA associates at the Rockingham Dragway.
Last year, Mc Millen qualified sixth at “The ROCK” and raced to a semi final appearance at an event that saw three world records reset. “This may be the fastest racing surface we’ll see all year,” explained Mc Millen. “We’re certainly excited about all of the NAPA folks that will be present to see this great race.”
Mc Millen added, “Our success can be contributed to the outstanding help from companies like Amalie Oil, Torco Race Fuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Vintage Trailers, Performance Graphics, Powershield Coatings and Crane Cams, we couldn’t do this without them.”
“ROCK” Solid Determination For Mc Millen
Elkhart, IN – Terry Mc Millen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Torco Race Fuels, race into Rockingham North Carolina for the 35th Annual IHRA Spring Nationals (April 22-24) with “rock” solid determination for a win. Mc Millen brings the momentum of a final round appearance at the Amaile Oil Texas Nationals contested earlier this month in San Antonio.
The Rockingham Dragway (“The ROCK”) is the second stop on the 12 race Hooters Racing Series and one of IHRAs fastest tracks. Last year’s race saw three world records reset during the event. “There’s no doubt that we’ll see some great times and speeds at “The ROCK” again this year,” stated Mc Millen. “We’re producing more horsepower than we ever have with these Crane Cams, I expect we’ll have some fast passes.”
Just seven points out of first place, Mc Millen hopes to improve on the best start of his Funny Car career. Last year, Mc Millen qualified sixth at “The ROCK” and raced to a semi final appearance before bowing out to event winner and 5-time IHRA Champion Mark Thomas. Co-Crew Chief Tad “TV TAD” Heflick thinks his team is ready. “We’re working as hard as anyone right now.” Fellow tuner, Co-Crew Chief Brent “Skinny” Lidgard agrees, “We stayed in Texas an extra day just to test. We’ve improved our 60ft times and that will pay dividends in Rockingham.”
Mc Millen Makes Final Round Appearance In San Antonio – Team InstiGator Best Appearing Pro Crew
San Antonio, TX – Terry Mc Millen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator proved that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Powered by Torco Race Fuels, the team raced to a final round appearance against two time IHRA Funny Car Champion Rob Atchison and was awarded “Best Appearing Pro Crew” by the IHRA during the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals. The team leaves San Antonio just 7 points out of first place.
Mc Millen began his season opening quest for his first Iron Man from the #4 qualifying position with a 5.944 ET at 235.93 MPH performance. “That was good enough to get us in the show, but we knew we had to get better to continue,” stated Mc Millen. Mc Millen put out the call to his Co-Crew Chiefs Brent “Skinny” Lidgard and Tad “TV” Heflick to tune the machine for eliminations. With the help of crewmembers Dale “TV Dad” Heflick and Jim Walczak the team prepared the car for a first round appearance against the #5 qualifier Terry Munroe.
Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car on the Prowl in San Antonio
San Antonio, TX – The Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Torco Race Fuels, is prowling San Antonio area NAPA Auto Care Centers and radio stations this week. IHRA fan favorite, Terry Mc Millen, driver of the Amalie Oil Funny Car will be on location at NAPA Auto Care Centers to meet fans and sign autographs in preparation for IHRA’s 4th Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals contested at the San Antonio Raceway April 1-2.
Mc Millen will be a special guest Friday, between 7:00AM – 8:40AM on the KTSA radio show. In addition, the Napa Auto Care Show on KKYX is a frequent stop for Mc Millen. He will take his regular spot Saturday (10:00AM – 12:00PM) on the show where Terry and NAPA Auto Parts NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip talk about racing.
Mc Millen Is Race Ready For The Amalie Oil Texas Nationals
San Antonio, TX – Terry Mc Millen has fueled up the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car with Torco Racing Fuel, expecting Texas sized results at the upcoming Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio on April 1-2 at the San Antonio Raceway. This 4th annual event is presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVs and San Antonio Express News.
“We’ve worked all winter long, tested and tuned in Texas more than any other funny car team, we’re expecting big results at this race and for the season,” commented Terry.
Mc Millen recently returned from the Spring Meltdown in Abilene, Texas where he made several test passes down the track. “The InstiGator was making good horsepower and we had very good incremental times. We’re ready for the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals,” stated Mc Millen, “it’s time to see how all of our winter work will pay off.”
Hoosier Thunder Motorsports and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car Team Race Forward With Heflick and Walczak
Elkhart, IN – Hoosier Thunder Motorsports owners, Rhonda and Terry Mc Millen, announced that Tad “TV” Heflick has been promoted to Co-Crew Chief and Jim Walczak has been added to its Marketing and Promotions department.
Tad “TV” HeflickHeflick will partner with Co-Crew Chief, Brent “Skinny” Ligard, turning wrenches for the three-car team, featuring the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Torco Race Fuels. “Tad has been a strong asset to our team and is a remarkable person,” commented Rhonda Mc Millen. “Tad and Brent did an outstanding job last year. I know that they will continue to build on that success and take Hoosier Thunder Motorsports up another level,” added Terry.
The Amalie Oil / Torco Race Fuel InstiGator Tunes Up For Texas With Spring Meltdown
Abilene, TX – IHRA fan favorite, Terry Mc Millen and his Amalie Oil /Torco Racing Fuels InstiGator Funny Car, will appear at the Abilene Star Dodge Dragstrip Spring Meltdown, March 4th. Friday’s Spring Meltdown begins a power packed weekend followed by the Lone Star Bracket Nationals on Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6. This marks Mc Millen’s second trip to the Lone Star state this year. In January, Mc Millen and his InstiGator team tested in San Antonio and appeared at the San Antonio Monster Jam, promoting the 4th Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals.
Crane Cams and NGK Spark Plugs Expand Partnership With Hoosier Thunder Motorsports
Elkhart, Ind. – When Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owner and driver, Terry McMillen announced the addition of a Top Fuel Dragster to his Alcohol Funny Car racing team, he couldn’t have imagined the outpouring of support from his current partnerships.
In an announcement today, Crane Cams and NGK Spark Plugs renewed their partnership with the team and expanded their relationship with McMillen to include the Top Fuel car, which will contend for the IHRA Championship and race a limited NHRA schedule.
“Anytime that you have pioneers of this industry like Crane Cams and NGK Spark Plugs in your pit, it’s an advantage,” stated McMillen. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently. It has been a huge advantage for us. Their quality and attention to detail has helped us succeed with our Funny Car operation and now with our Top Fuel team.”
From its humble begging in 1953, Crane Cams has become the preferred supplier for professional racers and street performance enthusiast alike. Their product line even includes performance camshafts, valve train components, ignitions and electronics for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.
When it comes to spark plugs, NGK is the World Leader. NGK produces spark plugs for virtually every automotive, motorcycle, marine and small engine application. NGK Spark Plugs has a long and storied history in motorsports. From the high rpm screaming of the CART Series to the ground-pounding thunder of Top Fuel racing, and race tracks everywhere in between.
The Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Racing Fuel will compete in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series while the Top Fuel entry will compete in both the IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series and a limited NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule. The team expects to release a detailed schedule in the coming weeks.
The Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team is associated with top quality, high performance companies like: Amalie Oil, eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Performance Graphics and Crane Cams.