McMillen’s dragster will roar in downtown Gainesville display of power and precision
Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Motor Oil XtermiGator dragster, will put on a display of power and precision in Gainesville March 16 at noon in front of Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza restaurant at the Holiday Inn University Center, 1250 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601.
McMillen and his team will light the wick on his Top Fuel dragster and let it thunder to life in front of area fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. When the car shuts off, the team will display the rebuilding process that crews take part in between rounds of racing at NHRA events across the country.
The highly trained group will begin a precise ballet in which it removes major components of the car, such as the blower, headers, and pistons, and changes the oil in the engine. In less than 30 minutes, the team will fully reassemble the motor and restart the machine. This will all be done in the amount of time it takes to get an oil change at a quick-service auto-repair shop.
This event will also serve to kick off the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 17-20 at Gainesville Raceway. This historic event is the East Coast opener for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and is one of the premier events on the circuit.
The 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season is in full swing and has the potential to become one of the most exciting years in drag racing history. The best in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle will again battle for the coveted race victory at one of drag racing’s most tradition-rich events. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the race, which will be televised on FS1.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, March 18, with sessions at 12:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, March 19, at noon and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, March 20.