In fact, McMillen, driver and team owner for the Amalie Oil/Wolverine Boots and Apparel Top Fuel dragster has been in eight final rounds with three wins in the past three seasons. Three of those final rounds have even come at Amalie sponsored events, including a runner-up to Scott Weis at the Texas Nationals back in May, but despite coming so very close, McMillen has not been able to visit victory lane in front of his dragsters namesake.
He hopes to change all that this weekend at the Amalie Oil North American Nationals at New England Dragway.
“We’ve been close several times,” McMillen said. “In fact Paul (Noakes) drove my Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car to a win here last year and we had to settle for a runner-up finish in the fuel car. We want to get a win in the Top Fuel car for Amalie at one of their races.
“It’s one of those things that would put a big exclamation mark on a win.”
And McMillen will try to get it done this weekend at a track he is very comfortable with.
“This place is usually very quick. It’s exciting for us and the fans,” McMillen said. “If the conditions are right New England Dragway is a place that we can see records fall.”
McMillen and his crew put in a little overtime in preparation for this event. The team made several test runs on Saturday and are looking forward to putting on a good show for the New England fans and Amalie.
“We have been chasing one of those racing gremlins,” McMillen said. “We didn’t want to take any chances going into this race.”
McMillen was in New Hampshire early in the week to help build the excitement for one of the biggest Nitro Jam events of the year. McMillen had his 8,000 horsepower machine on display at Sanel Auto Parts on Tuesday and Wednesday. McMillen also had a chance to showcase a few special promotions as a way of saying thank you to the fans.
Prior to the start of Saturday’s “Night of Fire” one lucky fan will win a Snap-On Tools chest that bares McMillen’s Top Fuel dragster and signature. Wolverine Boots and Apparel also teamed up with area participating Sanel Auto Parts, Fisher/Robbins Auto Parts and Car Parts and Auto Value stores for a unique Wolverine gift with the purchase of any Amalie Oil product.
“It’s pretty cool to see Amalie and Wolverine team up like this to get race fans some cool gear,” McMillen said.
McMillen also participated in a two-day media tour throughout New Hampshire and Maine in preparation for the start of this weekend’s event.
“This whole weekend is just a neat deal and a great event for Amalie. Amalie has been around for over 100 years and continues to be a big part of what we do out here,” McMillen said. “I just wanted to thank many people who play a big part in what we do out here including Amalie Oil, Jet Label and Tape, Auto Meter, Mahle, Clevite, Perfect Circle, Flatout Gaskets, Impact Racing, NGK Spark Plugs, MSD, ieGraphics, Crane Cams, Global Power Systems, Paradise RV and Coach and Ringer Gloves.”
Sportsman and professional qualifying will get underway on Friday.
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