EDMONTON, Alb. – Professional drag racing teams from all across the United States will make their way across western Canada’s prairies to arrive this week in Alberta for one of Edmonton’s premier events. The Castrol Raceway will open its gates to host the Rocky Mountain Nationals (July 4-6), the fifth stop on the IHRA drag racing series. Many of the teams do so with the unprecedented support of Alberta area businesses, including the defending event champion in Top Fuel, Terry McMillen (Elkhart, Indiana) and the 2006 event champion and two-time defending IHRA World Champion in Nitro Funny Car, Dale Creasy, Jr. (Beecher, Illinois).
Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster looks forward to the race affectionally known as “The Rocky’s”. “Edmonton is a very special place for us,” McMillen said. “We earned our first career win here last year and that was great. But what really makes it a special place is the tremendous support we receive from the fans and businesses.” McMillen will also bring a second car, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car piloted by Ontario’s Paul Noakes.
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.”
NAPA Auto Parts opens store on IHRA Midway
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – NAPA Auto Parts, presenting sponsor of the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals (April 4-6), will expand its race presence when it opens shop on the IHRA midway for the upcoming national event. NAPA will be on the midway with a fan friendly display and they will also provide support to the professional and sportsman racers competing at the event. For racers who want to “Get the Good Stuff” – life just got a little easier.
Flatout Gaskets and Crane Cams continue partnership with Hoosier Thunder Motorsports
ELKHART, Ind. – Terry McMillen, team owner of the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car and the owner/driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster powered by Torco Race Fuels announced today that Flatout Gaskets and Crane Cams renewed their partnership with the team. Both Flatout and Crane Cams have partnered with McMillen’s funny car team for years and now add McMillen’s top fuel team for the 2008 racing season.
Flatout offers a solid line of high performance gaskets, specializing in Copper Cylinder Head Gaskets and the only maker of Rubber Coated Copper gaskets(RCC). Flatout offers a full line of exhaust, intake, valve cover and oil pan gaskets.
“Mark Adelizzi is a friend to race teams,” McMillen said. “Flatout Gaskets’ have worked flawlessly on our funny car team and now adding quality Flatout Gaskets to our top fuel program will give us the advantage we need to win races.”
Clevite and Perfect Circle provide bearings and piston rings for McMillen Top Fuel entry
ELKHART, Ind. – Hoosier Thunder Motorsports announced today that the Amalie Oil / Torco Nitro Top Fuel dragster, driven by team owner Terry McMillen, will be outfitted with MAHLE Clevite bearings and Perfect Circle piston rings for the 2008 racing season. Clevite and Perfect Circle will be major associate product sponsors.
“Talk about lucky stars lining up,” McMillen smiled. “In early December I received a phone call from IHRA’s “Texas Tornado” – Tommy Dupree. When Tommy told me that Jack Wyatt (Nitro Funny Car driver) and I had won the MAHLE Clevite / Perfect Circle Nitro Club program sponsorship, I was stunned! MAHLE Clevite and Perfect Circle provide phenomenal parts for the racing industry.”
McMillen is excited about being a part of their program for the 2008 racing season. He sees the product sponsorship as a major advantage for his new team. “I have been working with Doug Foley and Tim Lewis on purchasing the car I drove last year. This is the best gift for someone starting a Top Fuel team. We could only wish for an opportunity to work with a company that has the reputation of Clevite and Perfect Circle,” McMillen added.
Amalie Oil expands partnership with Terry McMillen
TAMPA — In a press conference earlier today, Andrew Bornstein, Amalie Oil Business Development Manager, announced that Amalie Motor Oil will renew and expand its relationship with Terry McMillen and the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports drag racing team based in Elkhart, Ind. Amalie will continue its primary sponsorship of the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car and become the major associate sponsor of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster. The team is scheduled to compete in all 11 IHRA races.
The news comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that Amalie renewed its relationship with the IHRA, retaining title sponsorship of the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals (San Antonio April 4-6) and the Amalie Oil North American Nationals (Epping, N.H. September 5-7)in a multi-year agreement that will also keep Amalie as the Official Motor Oil of the IHRA.
“We look closely at the sponsor reports every year,” Bornstein said. “The return on investment that Terry provides with his marketing program far outweighs our expectations. Our District Managers and distributors believe strongly in this program. It only makes sense for us to not only renew, but expand our relationship with Terry and Hoosier Thunder Motorsports.”
Flatout headed to PRI with new catalog
Mundelein, IL. – Flatout Gaskets is pleased to announce the release of their 2008 Flatout Gasket catalog.
Flatout has recently added over 100 new part numbers to already impressive line-up of sealing products. The new catalog covers many late model engines for both the performance and O.E. replacement.
Rubber Coated Copper (RCC) and Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gaskets lead the way along with a large variety of cover gaskets, including many new and exciting molded rubber choices!
For more information or to have a new Flatout Gasket catalog sent directly to you, please call Toll-Free (877) 837-9200 or go to the Flatout Group website @ www.flatoutgroup.com
Flatout Gaskets will be displaying at the Performance Racing Industry Show – Dec. 6-8th in Orlando, FL. – Booth #3334. Stop by and pick-up a new catalog! Remember, Go FLATOUT because “Champions Stay Sealed”
Freedom Grill Fire Brand Grilling Sauces lands top international food award
Results of the 2008 Scovie Awards, which recognizes top fiery foods products from around the globe are in and Freedom Grill of Poway, Calif. was selected as a winner in one of the world’s most competitive gourmet food competitions. Freedom Grill, which manufactures Fire Brand Grilling Sauces, has received Four 2008 Scovie Awards. In the industry’s most rigorous blind tastings, a panel of the country’s top culinary experts sampled hundreds of the world’s most lauded gourmet foods, and the top scoring products each won a coveted Scovie banner.
McMillen Top Fuel Car Used in Torco Advertisement
If you’re like me you can’t believe the drag racing season is over. But that doesn’t mean that there is not a lot of drag racing going on.
Terry McMillen’s Top Fuel dragster is being featured in some Torco Race Fuels print advertising this off season (or early season depending if your glass is half full or empty). That’s pretty cool all by itself.
Something tells me that you’ll see this picture at an upcoming trade show boot or two also.
Not to be out done, Amalie Oil featured McMillen’s Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car at their booth during the APEX show in Vegas earlier this month. I wasn’t able to grab a shot of the booth since APEX doesn’t allow cameras on the convention floor, but rumor has it there is a photo floating around somewhere. You’ll see it here as soon as it finds its way to my inbox.
Freedom Grill Awards the Extreme Tailgating Design Award to Wild Side Customs at the 2007 SEMA Show
Las Vegas, NV – Freedom Grill has announced the winners for their inaugural Extreme Tailgating Design Awards contest for project vehicles at the 2007 SEMA Show. Taking First Place honors was John Llado of Wild Side Customs out of Wildomar, CA for his lifted blue flamed 2008 Chevy 2500HD.
“Tailgating is about personalization and John’s treatment of the Freedom Grill FG-50 with paint and pin striping to match the rest of the truck looks terrific,” commented Scott Salter, Freedom Grill’s Founder. “This Silverado would really turn some heads rolling into the stadium parking lot”.
Llado was presented his award by Miss Freedom Grill 2008, Holly Weber. The Freedom Grill design award is a custom etched, full-size beer pitcher and in true tailgating fashion at the urging of the crowd Llado finished off the full pitcher at the presentation. He also received a gift card from Tailgater Meats for premium gourmet cuts of beef.