Terry McMillen is just plain excited. The driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel dragster already has more round-wins in the first third of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season than he had all of last year in the team's first go at racing NHRA's entire schedule. McMillen fully believes that with all of the right components in their possession, very few pieces are left to fit in place to reach maximum potential.
The Chicago native who calls Elkhart, Ind., home transitioned from his position as an IHRA standout to an NHRA nitro newbie in 2007, debuting in Richmond, Va.
The transition was gradual; after getting his feet wet in Richmond, McMillen raced at two events in 2008 – and qualified at both – then upped his efforts to five races in 2009, again qualifying for each event he entered, and he began to go rounds. As the 2010 season approached, McMillen was ready for more and unveiled plans to make a showing at every event and become a serious contender.
The driver and owner of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports surrounded himself with a team that grew roots and produced full, leafy branches as it aided its leader in qualifying for all but two of the 23 events on the tour, turning in round-winning performances in Topeka, Chicago, and Englishtown. McMillen recorded career-best numbers in Houston (313.73 mph) and Reading (3.863) and narrowly missed finishing in the top 10.
"We did a little bit of testing first to see if we could even compete in NHRA; it's so much tougher over here," said McMillen regarding the decision to race full time in the Full Throttle Series.
"We sampled it and felt we could compete, but I didn't think we would be a top contender, and I was actually surprised that we were as close as we were to the top 10 last year. That's just a compliment to the crew. It's taken a little bit to build the team to what it is today, but those guys have my back 100 percent. I never have to worry about anything on the car, and I know we can compete with anybody. We definitely have the right guys.
"We have certainly been a benefactor in some unfortunate mishaps for other teams, but I think as we go forward, we have everything we need to get the job done."
That has certainly appeared to be true thus far this year – not only have they shown increased performance, but they've also received a bit of luck. In Pomona, at the season-opening Kragen O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline, McMillen started on a note of good fortune, qualifying No. 16 and getting the nod in a major first-round upset when reigning series champ Larry Dixon dropped cylinders early and bowed out. Though it wasn't a testament to performance, the triumph was a big positive in terms of encouragement for the group.
Leaving Pomona with a feather in its cap, the team marched forward invigorated. McMillen and crew picked up a round-win at the VisitMyrtleBeach.com NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte and saw the inside of the semifinals for the first time in Atlanta, where McMillen won rounds over Brandon Bernstein and Bob Vandergriff Jr. before he was stopped by Antron Brown.
"We came to Kansas City [for the NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka] motivated," said McMillen, who beat Shawn Langdon, 3.89 to 3.91, in the first round before a broken fuel line halted his progress in round two and sent eventual winner Spencer Massey to the semi's.
"I honestly believe we have a car to compete in, and the dynamics are there. As a team, we've already learned how to lose together, now it's time to learn how to win together. Every time we go out there and prove we can make a better run and get one more round-win, the drive just keeps getting stronger. From the driver and team owner to the crew chief, Richard Hartman, and everybody on that team, the drive is crazy good. I'm so excited that it gets the hairs standing up on the back of my neck just talking about it."
Tenth in the Top Fuel standings, McMillen is aiming for a career-best finish and is ready for a fight. He realizes that he is in for a knock-down, drag-out battle for the remainder of the regular season with breathing room already diminishing: Vandergriff's final-round appearance at Heartland Park Topeka moved him into the No. 12 spot, just 10 points behind McMillen.
Though he said that he would be happy simply to finish in the top 10, McMillen also believes that "if you can make the top 10 best in NHRA Drag Racing, then you certainly have an opportunity to win the championship."
The next stop for the Full Throttle tour is at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, and McMillen enjoyed the opportunity to debut at the facility last season and score points for a first-round victory over Steve Torrence.
"We got a little bit of seat time beneath us there," he said. "We figured out what that track wants, and we're really looking forward to going back. I like the history there and the way it's set up, and I have a tremendous fan following out there via Facebook and Twitter that I'm so thankful for – I have to thank the fans and all of my Facebook and Twitter followers who support NHRA and Terry McMillen everywhere we go. I have never been more motivated in my life, and that is because of their support at every venue.
"We learned a lot last year, and with the help of friends, we've stumbled on some things that are starting to pay off. We're going to Englishtown with real positive hopes, and we're hopefully going to walk away with nothing less than a couple of rounds. It's time for my guys to shine and show what they can do."