Terry McMillen Grand Bend wrap up

Discussion in 'Alcohol Racing News' started by Will Hanna, Jun 6, 2006.

  1. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    InstiGator Fights Back at Mopar Canadian Nationals

    Grand Bend, Ont. - The harder you work, the luckier you get. So, goes
    the familiar saying that aligns a little bit of luck with a lot of hard
    work. After a disappointing DNQ in Rockingham, Terry McMillen and his
    Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by TORCO Race Fuels found a
    little luck during round one of qualifying in Grand Bend. The InstiGator
    broke a fuel line at the top end of the track, slowing McMillen to what
    would become the sixth qualifying spot in a rain shortened qualifying
    session. The car appeared to be on its best pass of the young eMax Drag
    Racing Series season.

    "We were lucky when that fuel line broke at the top end," explained
    McMillen. "We had a little damage, but nothing that we couldn't work
    through. If it had broken earlier in the run we would have damaged a
    bunch of parts."

    In eliminations, McMillen would face Mark Thomas. McMillen jumped to an
    early lead and held off Thomas through much of the race. The InstiGator
    began to loose traction at the 1,000 foot mark and Thomas would edge
    McMillen to the line by just 0.083. Thomas would go on to win the race,
    claiming his second Iron Man in 3 races. "Mark and his team are really
    hot right now," said McMillen. "There's a pack of us right behind him,
    but we're all going to have to step it up a bit to be able to reel him
    back in."

    While McMillen was disappointed about the loss, he found himself
    encouraged over all. "My crew chiefs have worked very hard to get this
    car back to a championship caliber," said McMillen. The Amalie Oil
    InstiGator made four final round appearances in 2004 and looks to regain
    that momentum. "We've finally got the car back to a place where it will
    respond to our changes," commented Tad "TV" Heflick, co-crew chief.
    Brent "Skinny" Lidgard, co-crew-chief added, "All of the testing and
    hours at the shop seem to be paying off."

    It what is shaping up to be a competitive race for the alcohol Funny Car
    Championship, seven teams, including the InstiGator, find themselves
    within 39 points of Mark Thomas who has won two of the first three
    events.

    McMillen, who's always appreciative of his partners like Amalie Oil,
    eRaceFuels, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, Fatheadz.com,
    Powershield Coatings, Crane Cams, eMax, C. Trade Group and No Limit
    Custom Coach, he did make mention of another special IHRA partner.

    "When Carl White and Stroud Safety stepped up to adopt and sponsor
    Alcohol Funny Car teams entry fees, I thought it was a pretty cool
    deal," said McMillen. "But, when it actually happened to us, I realized
    just how special Carl and the folks at Stroud are for doing something
    like this. It really meant a lot to us."

    The next stop for the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car is the Cars RV,
    Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by TORCO Race
    Fuels June 23 – 25, 2006.

    To learn more about Terry McMillen and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny
    Car, visit http://hoosierthunder.com


    ###
    For more information, photos or to arrange an interview:
    CONTACT
    Jim Walczak
    615-415-7771
    [ jim@squeakywheelonline.com <mailto:jim@squeakywheelonline.com> ]
     
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