Mark Oswald Tunes Lukoil Top Fuel Dragster at Rockingham

Rockingham, NC – The rescheduled 10th Annual Udderly Smooth World Finals will mark the completion of the 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing season. The frost on the pumpkin means those that live their life by the quarter mile will reminisce about hard fought summer battles against man, machine and mother nature. For Terry McMillen and his Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team, it marks the beginning of a new era. McMillen will use the World Finals to not only pilot his Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, but also to make his driving debut in the Lukoil Top Fuel Dragster.
The InstiGator team is determined to get Terry an Iron Man this season before he gives up the seat in the Funny Car. “TV Tad” Heflick, co-crew chief commented, “Our team has worked very hard this season. Terry has put a lot of confidence in us and it’s time for us to deliver.” “Skinny” Lidgard, co-crew chief added, “This car has been producing a lot of horsepower all season, our half track incrementals are as fast as anyone’s, we can’t wait to put all of it together in Rockingham.” The Amalie Oil InstiGator team will be aiming for it’s second straight top 5 finish in IHRA competition.
“My phone has been ringing off the wall,” said McMillen. “Once the season is over, I’ll sit down and look at all the different potential drivers for this car. We’ve been able to create great brand identity with InstiGator for Amalie. Anything that we do will only enhance that identity and the relationship that we enjoy with Amalie.”
The rescheduled World Finals gave the Hoosier Thunder team more seat time in the newly debut Lukoil Top Fuel Dragster allowing McMillen the chance to complete his licensing and secure veteran tuner Mark Oswald for Rockingham. Oswald was the 1984 NHRA Funny Car champion and as a driver, he scored 20 national event wins – two in Top Fuel and 18 in Funny Car – in 41 final-round appearances.
“We’re very excited,” explained McMillen. “When this opportunity started coming together, Wendy Tysinger (Eastern Race Fuels) and Bo Kinney (LGI Digital) were right there to partner with us to put a fuel car together for Rockingham. The early commitment that they made was instrumental in putting this fuel team together.”
Shortly after Eastern Race Fuels and LGI Digital became associate sponsors on the car, Lukoil and XLR8 joined to assure McMillen and his team a short off-season. “It’s going to be a very short winter for sure,” added McMillen. “Heck, we love cars, it’s always a short winter for us anyway. Testing has already begun. We’re here to be competitive and win races.”
The Lukoil Top Fuel Dragster, energized by XLR8, is currently setting its 2006 racing schedule with all IHRA and at least 8 NHRA races being considered. “I believe we have the team and a car that can compete with anyone in NHRA or IHRA,” added McMillen. “I can’t wait to get started.”