LIMA, Ohio – Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil / UNOH Top Fuel Dragster, made his circle track debut last Friday in a dirt modified car. McMillen was set to compete against NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace at Limaland Motorsports Park in the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” event, sponsored by St. Rita’s Medical Center to bring awareness to breast cancer.

McMillen and Wallace would find trouble early in their pink wrapped rides, McMillen with the wall, Wallace with an engine. The hot lap, warm up session, was all McMillen would see of the Limaland oval. While McMillen spun his #00 UNOH ride and backed it easily into the turn 3 wall, Wallace experienced his own problems when the engine expired on the UNOH #2 car.

“It was the first time I’ve ever been on dirt,” McMillen explained. “I told Kenny that if he gave me a 10-lap lead for an 11-lap race I would have a chance. But at the end of practice I dinged up the rear quarter panel and Kenny had the rods out of his ride. It was Kenny’s night, so I gave up my seat to him. I had offers to take one of the other student cars, but it was really their night and I needed more practice before I got out there in hot and heavy racing conditions.”

McMillen enjoyed the experience and jumped out of the car after practice with the same enthusiasm he has after a 300mph run in his NHRA Top Fuel ride. “That car kicked my butt,” he told the crowd that gathered around the car. “But you know what – that’s the last time it will ever happen. I will get back in this car and I’ll make enough laps to get competitive. Hopefully Kenny and I will get a chance to do it again next year.”

McMillen and Wallace both spent Thursday inspiring students at UNOH and Friday encouraging patients at St. Rita’s Medical Center. Both McMillen and Wallace shared similar stories about their early careers in racing. McMillen’s ‘persistence outweighs resistance’ and Wallace’s ‘your life won’t change until you change your life’ messages inspired faculty and students alike.

“It was a great way to spend a couple of days off,” McMillen said. “Spending a few days with Dr. Jarvis, Steve Farmer and Kenny Wallace has inspired our team to reach out for that next level – be just a little bit better than we have to be. That’s what it’s going to take to make our team great. We’re up for the challenge.”

LIMA, Ohio – Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil / UNOH Top Fuel Dragster will take a break from straight line racing on the NHRA Drag Racing tour this week and try his hand at the wheel of a Dirt Modified car at Limaland Motorsports Park this Friday. The event will feature McMillen and NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kenny Wallace to benefit St. Rita’s Medical Center – Tough Enough to Wear Pink event for breast-cancer awareness.

McMillen, currently 10th in the NHRA points standings, is used to turning left when exciting the drag strip at the end of a 300mph race, but this will be his first attempt to do so on a circle track in competition. “I’ve been getting a lot of pointers from Doug Kalitta (NHRA Driver and former midget and Sprint Car driver who won the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Championship),” McMillen admitted. “I’m excited about getting in there and mixing it up with Kenny Wallace.”

McMillen and Wallace will also spend time off the track speaking with students and faculty at the University of Northwestern Ohio and visiting St. Rita’s Medical Center to sign autographs and take pictures with patients.

“Win or lose it will be a good experience for a great cause,” McMillen said. “Cancer is one of those things that touch us all either directly or indirectly at some point in our lives.” McMillen will wear a pink helmet that was made for this race by Vickery’s Speed Shop. “Dale Vickery has become a great friend to our team and he’s a cancer survivor,” McMillen said. “So, it meant a lot to him to make this helmet. The helmet will also carry the name of Rosalee Noble who is currently fighting breast cancer.”

Noble is the Fund Raising Chairman for DRAW (Drag Racing Association for Women) an organization dedicated to helping injured drag racers. “Rosalee does so much for others, we wanted to do a little something to recognize her and her fight,” McMillen said. “After the race the helmet will be donated to DRAW in her honor for an upcoming auction.”