NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Rob Wendland is the crew chief of the Amalie Motor Oil Top Fuel dragster driven by Terry McMillen. He is in his second year with the team as McMillen battles for his first top-10 position.

Wendland was a renowned tuner in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks prior to his career in the nitro categories. The Lawrence, Kan., native was a part of the late Tim Baxter’s JEGS Allstars-winning Jayhawker team before becoming a tuner for hire and even having a successful driving stint. He drove Mike Troxel’s In-N-Out Burger-sponsored dragster to wins at the Chicago and St. Louis events in 1999. He later tuned Michael Gunderson’s A/Fuel Dragster to the class’ first 280-mph run.

Wendland began in the fuel ranks with John Lawson’s independent Funny Car entry, on which he worked with Mark Oswald. That relationship led to a stint as assistant crew chief under Oswald and Brian Corradi on the Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown after Wendland served as car chief for John Force in 2007. Wendland received a shot as a crew chief for Johnny Gray as a midseason replacement during the 2011 season. He won seven events as a lead tuner at Don Schumacher Racing, including four victories with Gray during the 2013 season.

Wendland has made strides with McMillen’s team, including tuning him to his first final-round appearance at this year’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.