EPPING, NH — With the IHRA Drag Racing season rounding the corner towards the home stretch, Terry McMillen, Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owner, will bring both of his cars to the Amalie Oil North American Nationals. He hopes to continue the team’s late season rally for the September 5 – 7 event.
McMillen, who drives the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster and fields the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny car, driven by Paul Noakes, has rallied his teams to one of the most dominate performances of a two-car team in recent history. After a sluggish start to the season, both Amalie sponsored cars have gone on to compete in eight final rounds (four each) and earn two wins (one each) through eight races. Those performances have fueled both McMillen and Noakes into championship contention for the 2008 season. McMillen’s Top Fuel entry currently sits in third position just 79 points behind defending champion Bruce Litton and 152 points behind the rookie points leader Spencer Massey.
Trick My Truck Reunion features 10 trucks and cast members at IHRA Sooner Nationals
TULSA, Okla. — The largest gathering of show trucks from the popular CMT television series Trick My Truck will be on display and featured during the August 22-24 IHRA Sooner Nationals at the Tulsa Raceway Park. Cast members Kelvin Locklear, Ryan “Ryno” Templeton, Rob Richardson, Matt Moore, Steve Harrah and Allen Harrah will be in attendance and participate in special autograph sessions.
“We’re just a bunch of motor-heads,” Rob Richardson said. “If it’s loud, fast and cool we want to be a part of it. That’s why we love coming to IHRA events.”
The Trick My Truck Reunion is a celebration of the four successful seasons the show has been broadcast. It also marks the last chance for show and race fans to enter the Trick My Crew sweepstakes before ending on September 8, 2008. The sweepstakes have been a season long promotion offering fans a chance to become a member of Terry McMillen’s Amalie Oil Top Fuel team for the IHRA World Finals in Rockingham.
“Our team has had a lot of fun hanging out with these guys,” McMillen said. “I’ve just got to keep an eye on them. They’re constantly trying to trick out my dragster and Mike Baker (IHRA Director of Competition & Technical Services) keeps making them take it off the car. I’m sure they’ll keep trying to sneak something by Baker.”
Ten trucks will be on display throughout the weekend, including Lance Burk’s “Iron Man” which was produced to promote the Paramount motion picture release earlier this year. Other great trucks in attendance will be, ‘Big Game’, ‘Buzz Worthy’, ‘No Worries’, ‘Fowl Play’, ‘Open Range’, ‘Hammer Down’, ‘Free Spirit’ and two other tricked trucks.
Big weekend for McMillen’s Amalie Oil Top Fuel team
Trick My Truck cast members join McMillen at Martin
ELKHART, Ind. – Terry McMillen is riding a wave of emotion. Just before McMillen took his Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster for a winning ride in Grand Bend he watched his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car team, driven by Paul Noakes and tuned by Les Mellows, make its way to the winners circle. The funny car win ended an eleven year drought. The top fuel win marked McMillen’s third win in the past 11 races.
“This sport is such a roller coaster,” McMillen said. “I wouldn’t trade the ride for anything, I can promise you that.”
McMillen hopes the mid-season win will be enough to put his team back in the championship hunt. “I’m sure we’ve been counted out more than once,” McMillen added. “But, if we can stay consistent over the next few races and maybe win three out of four down the stretch, who knows what can happen. I know we spent the week buying parts and getting ready to mix it up in Martin.”
Noakes and InstiGator pumped about going the distance
ELKHART, Ind. – With just four races remaining in the Nitro Jam drag racing season, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, driven by Paul Noakes, finds itself right where it wants to be. This weekend’s Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals (August 1-3) at the US 131 Motorsports Park will prove if the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team car has what it takes to win its first championship.
The InstiGator has made final round appearances in the last 3 races, including the most recent win in Grand Bend. Noakes will also be defending his Northern Nationals title at this weekend’s event.
“We’re pretty excited about getting to race again,” Noakes said. “It was such an emotional lift for our team to defend our 2007 win in Grand Bend. I hope we can make a successful defense in Martin also.”
Crew Chief, Les Mellows likes his chances. “I think the stamina of any athlete determines champions,” Mellows said as he prepared for the race. “The Kalbones team has it [Laurie Cannister, points leader]. We seem to be hitting our stride right on time.”
Noakes plans to continue mid-season charge
Grand Bend, Ont. — Paul Noakes has driven the Amalie Oil InstiGator in back-to-back final rounds in each of the last 2 events. The mid-season charge has been enough to tighten the points chase, but not enough to make up any ground on Laurie Cannister, who beat Noakes in both final round appearances.
“We just want to continue this mid-season push,” Noakes said as he greets fans and sponsors at a London media and cancer benefit event. “Laurie is going to be tough to catch if someone in this funny car class can’t put the brakes on her. We’ve had three shots at her this season and have come up empty handed. It’s going to be tough, but I don’t think anyone has conceded the championship yet. We’re not racing for second place yet,” he said with a smile.
Les Mellows, crew chief agrees, “We are still running for number one in the championship, but we need to focus on those that stand in our way and compete at a high level every opportunity we have. The points will be tallied in five more races.”
Qualifying for the Mopar Canadian Nationals kicks off this Friday, July 18 and continues through the weekend with eliminations and champions crowned on Sunday, July 20. The race has Noakes and tuner Les Mellows a little more focused than usual. The Ontarians live just minutes from the Grand Bend Motorplex and consider this their home event.
McMillen reloads for Grand Bend
Grand Bend, Ont. — After returning from Edmonton and a short week at the race shop, Terry McMillen can’t wait to get back to racing. McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster is determined to climb back in his dragster and get back winning rounds.
“We were a little disappointed leaving Edmonton,” McMillen admitted. “Those are some of the best fans in all of motorsports, not just drag racing. We wanted to perform better for them and for our sponsors. It just didn’t work out for us the way we wanted.”
McMillen points to the short week between Edmonton and Grand Bend as a turning point for his team. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to get some round wins. My guys are hungry for something positive to happen so we’re happy to get back after it in Grand Bend.”
McMillen to defend Rocky Mountain Nationals title
Edmonton, Alb. – Terry McMillen kicked off race-week for the Rocky Mountain Nationals this morning with an appearance on Canada’s #1 TV station, Global TV. The morning show featured an interview with Terry and newsman Mark Milne. McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster, and defending event champion, told Milne that he hopes to repeat.
“Everyone remembers their first win,” McMillen said. “Last year we overcame a lot of adversity to get that win, so it makes it that much more special.” McMillen’s title defense is the first of his career and one that he expects to be tough. “This year’s Rocky Mountain Nationals is very special for our team,” McMillen continued. “Rob and Kim Reeves are working with this team and their busy schedules haven’t allowed them to be at a race yet this season. Having a chance to race and perform well for them will make this race special.”
“The competition in IHRA Top Fuel is tough,” McMillen said. “If there’s an easy round win out there, we haven’t found it.” While McMillen’s low ET of elimination at Maryland was not good enough to advance him past the hole shot victory of Mike Strausburg, he knows his John “Bodie” Smith tuned team is headed in the right direction.
Currently fifth in points, McMillen thinks his team is still in position to win its first championship. “A lot of teams will tell you they aren’t counting points,” McMillen said. “We’re counting them,” he chuckled. “We still control our own destiny. With some good fortune and good luck we should be able to make a run at the top spot.”
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.”
Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster makes NHRA debute in Atlanta
ATLANTA (April 23, 2008) – When Terry McMillen rolls his Torco powered, Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster out of the transporter for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals this afternoon, it will be the first time for McMillen as a team owner and driver. The team adds Ole Country Smokehouse of Anderson, South Carolina as an associate sponsor for the race.
McMillen made his NHRA Top Fuel debut last season. McMillen will strive to qualify and earn his first round win.
“We’re excited about being in Atlanta,” McMillen said as his truck entered Atlanta Dragway. “We planned on running several of the NHRA races this season – Atlanta wasn’t really one of them, but our crew chief John Smith has done a great job of getting a handle on this car and getting our crew to gel in a short amount of time. We’ve got 10 laps on this new chassis and combination and John already has us in the .60’s.”
InstiGator looking for more bite
‘No more Mr. Nice Gator’
ROCKINGHAM, NC (April 17, 2008) — The Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Torco Race Fuels, makes its way to the IHRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham this weekend looking to put a little more bite on its opponents when qualifying begins tomorrow.
While the team did well at the season opening race in San Antonio, (qualifying in the fifth position) the opening round match up with eventual event winner Laurie Cannister ended their chances early for a win.
While the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team car sports a new crew, crew chief and driver, team owner McMillen is confident this will be the best year ever for the team’s signature ride. “I have all the confidence in the world with Les Mellows tuning and Paul Noakes driving that car,” McMillen said.
The car has long been associate with Amalie Oil and has been a friendly draw for fans of all ages. This season the team went back to an original concept drawing of the car and Michelle Barkett of the Amalie Oil marketing department had Gonzalo Jarmillo redesign the InstiGator to give it a slightly ‘meaner’ look with more realistic teeth and eyes. This prompted the team to adopt the slogan ‘No more Mr. Nice Gator’, not only for the new look but also for the new attitude towards getting the fan favorite to the winner’s circle for the first time.
Les Mellows is confident the InstiGator can be a dominant force in the class.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- …
- 11
- Next Page »