Terry McMillen's Hoosier Thunder Motorsports

McMillen to defend Rocky Mountain Nationals title

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:17:25 -0600

Edmonton, Alb. - Terry McMillen kicked off race-week for the Rocky Mountain Nationals this morning with an appearance on Canada's #1 TV station, Global TV. The morning show featured an interview with Terry and newsman Mark Milne. McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster, and defending event champion, told Milne that he hopes to repeat.

"Everyone remembers their first win," McMillen said. "Last year we overcame a lot of adversity to get that win, so it makes it that much more special." McMillen's title defense is the first of his career and one that he expects to be tough. "This year's Rocky Mountain Nationals is very special for our team," McMillen continued. "Rob and Kim Reeves are working with this team and their busy schedules haven't allowed them to be at a race yet this season. Having a chance to race and perform well for them will make this race special."

"The competition in IHRA Top Fuel is tough," McMillen said. "If there's an easy round win out there, we haven't found it." While McMillen's low ET of elimination at Maryland was not good enough to advance him past the hole shot victory of Mike Strausburg, he knows his John "Bodie" Smith tuned team is headed in the right direction.

Currently fifth in points, McMillen thinks his team is still in position to win its first championship. "A lot of teams will tell you they aren't counting points," McMillen said. "We're counting them," he chuckled. "We still control our own destiny. With some good fortune and good luck we should be able to make a run at the top spot."

Edmonton business support drag racers

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:38:24 -0600

EDMONTON, Alb. - Professional drag racing teams from all across the United States will make their way across western Canada's prairies to arrive this week in Alberta for one of Edmonton's premier events. The Castrol Raceway will open its gates to host the Rocky Mountain Nationals (July 4-6), the fifth stop on the IHRA drag racing series. Many of the teams do so with the unprecedented support of Alberta area businesses, including the defending event champion in Top Fuel, Terry McMillen (Elkhart, Indiana) and the 2006 event champion and two-time defending IHRA World Champion in Nitro Funny Car, Dale Creasy, Jr. (Beecher, Illinois).

Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster looks forward to the race affectionally known as "The Rocky's". "Edmonton is a very special place for us," McMillen said. "We earned our first career win here last year and that was great. But what really makes it a special place is the tremendous support we receive from the fans and businesses." McMillen will also bring a second car, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car piloted by Ontario's Paul Noakes.

Save a horse... ride along with Amalie

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:48:03 -0600

To commemorate Hoosier Thunder Motorsports' 'goin' country' this season - super friend Cori put together this video showcasing our friends over at CMT's Trick My Truck. As you can see we were all having a 'Big & Rich' time during the Milan Motor City Nationals.

It's not to late - so don't forget to take your chance to become a part of the crew - enter the Trick My Truck sweepstakes and join Terry over at the Trick My Truck Community.

You can also check out McMillen's pages on MySpace and Race Pages too.

Stay in touch. There's no excuse with all these ways on the internet.

Alesi and Ayrton Gerthe attended the fourth stop of the IHRA Pro-Am Series

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:13:26 -0600

New Breed Racing competed in Quick Rod class during the recent Pro Am event held at the Pine Valley Raceway near Lufkin, Texas. After a hard weekend of racing the team found themselves very pleased with the outcome.

"Both cars went rounds each day and we had our strongest weekend as a team this year," said Lisa Gerthe. "Alesi went out in round two on Saturday and on Sunday went down to the final ten cars. Ayrton went to the quarter finals on Saturday and went out in round two on Sunday. Their dedication and commitment in reaching their goal of going rounds for the weekend should definitely move them up in the points. We are very proud of their performance."

New Breed Racing is proud to partner with Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, Amalie Oil, NGK Spark Plugs, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Flatout Gaskets, Go Graphix, Vickery’s Speed Shop, Auto Meter Products, Harwood Industries, Parsley’s Chicken Express, Biondo Racing Products, and Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School.

To learn more about Alesi & Ayrton Gerthe, visit:

www.newbreedracing.com

www.myspace.com/lgerthe

www.gerthe.blogspot.com

Scott Kalitta Passes

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:48:46 -0600

Hoosier Thunder Motorsports morns the passing of Scott Kalitta. Scott was fatally injured yesterday during a qualifying pass at the NHRA Englishtown race. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kalitta family.

The NHRA has set up a Scott Kalitta tribute page where fans, friends and fellow racers can go to remember and celebrate the life of Scott Kalitta.

Noakes races Amalie InstiGator into final round appearance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:15:27 -0600

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. - The Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team car driven by Paul Noakes and tuned by Les Mellows raced the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car to a final round appearance before falling to points leader Laurie Cannister. The effort put the team back into the championship hunt and after four of ten events they sit in the fourth position, just a few rounds from the number two spot.

"It was a great weekend for the car and for this team," Noakes said after the event. "We're one step closer to having the perfect car. I couldn't be happier."

McMillen sets low ET of eliminations - not enough

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:07:34 -0600

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. - Terry McMillen headed into the President's Cup Nationals looking for improvement for his Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster. While he found a marked improvement in his team's performance, it wasn't enough to advance them past the first round of eliminations.

The John "Bodie" Smith tuned dragster set the low elapsed time of eliminations (4.858 seconds) but McMillen couldn't overcome Mike Strasburg's 0.013 reaction time.

"John gave me a great car to work with on a hot track. I think we had the set up to win some rounds," team owner and driver Terry McMillen said. "Bottom line - I've got to do a better job on the tree. People talk about having a reaction time like that with a fuel car and how unlikely that is, but Mike did it and I didn't and that's what drag racing is all about."

McMillen gets back in the hunt for first win of 2008

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:39:28 -0600

BUDDS CREEK, Md. - Every race team evaluates their successes and failures and then compares the completed evaluation to the current situation. For Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster, the last 2 weeks have been an evaluation process that he can't wait to put behind him.

"We've beat ourselves up pretty good these past two weeks," McMillen said after failing to qualify for the Motor City Nationals. "It really hurts a lot to miss a race like that. That's why I can't wait to get back to racing. We can only beat ourselves up so much."

McMillen no longer with Torco Race Fuels

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:51:00 -0600

ELKHART, Ind. - Hoosier Thunder Motorsports released a brief statement today regarding team owner Terry McMillen's relationship with Torco Race Fuels. After a five year relationship, as of June 9, 2008 McMillen and Torco will no longer maintain a relationship.

"I wish Torco the best of luck in the future," McMillen said. "It was just time for everyone to make a change. This will provide the perfect opportunity for us to concentrate on the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car."

"We're excited about the future and success of our racing program," McMillen said. "There are some exciting things on the horizon for this team."

Big weekend ends early for Noakes and InstiGator

Thu, 29 May 2008 21:37:05 -0600

MILAN, Mich.- After a catastrophic engine failure in Rockingham knocked the Hoosier Thunder team from contention, the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car driven by Paul Noakes and tuned by Les Mellows, looked for big improvements at the Motor City Nationals. They didn't have to wait long.

The team rolled the Dodge Avenger off of the transporter and immediately captured Friday night's Last Man Standing Award and an additional five points with a 5.791 et at 244.03 mph performance. It was a career best performance for the car.

Saturday's qualifying attempts would prove that the InstiGator's performance wasn't a fluke. Noakes would outrun Dale Brand during the afternoon session by posting a career best 5.754 et at 245.36 mph, remaining in the top spot after two sessions. Noakes would once again put his ride into the seventies during Saturday night's session, only to be outdone by Brand's run into the sixties.

The only spoiler for the weekend was a first round -.002 red light against Rob Atchison.

Gremlin keeps McMillen out of Motor City Nationals

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:38:08 -0600

MILAN, Mich. - Terry McMillen took his Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster to the Motor City Nationals with high expectations. After three qualifying attempts the team found itself on the outside of the top eight and parked for Sunday eliminations.

"It's just one of those things," McMillen said after the race. "We are very disappointed because up until Milan this car has been very consistent. We just couldn't find the right set up for the track. Heck, I don't think we could have found the track if we fell onto it."

"We've just got one of those gremlins that hasn't shown itself yet. I've got the best crew in the business, so I know we'll get it figured out before the next race."

McMillen will Race Into Reading at Prairie Heights Middle School again this year

Thu, 15 May 2008 01:10:24 -0600

ELKHART, Ind. - Terry McMillen will showcase the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car driven my Paul Noakes with a special appearance at the Prairie Heights Middle School in LaGrange, Ind. on Friday May 16, 2008 from 9AM to 2PM. The McMillen and InstiGator appearance will highlight the schools "Race Into Reading" program.

McMillen makes many appearances during the season, but the stop at Prairie Heights is always special becuase it's an opportunity to spend some time with Heather Mills. Heather is the daughter of Richard and Sara Mills a long time friend of the McMillen family.

"Heather and her family are just as much a part of our family as anyone," Terry said from his race shop in Elkhart. "It's truly an honor for our team to be a part of this reading program. As racers, I think it's important for us to encourage kids to do well in school."

Ayrton Gerthe selected as PALS member

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:52:04 -0600

ROCKDALE, Texas -- New Breed Racing's Ayrton Gerthe has been selected to be a member of the Rockdale High School PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership) program for the 2008-2009 school year.

Ayrton was recommended by a RHS employee or current PAL member as a person who is a good example for others to follow, including being helpful, trustworthy, of good moral character, caring and able to work well with other people. He will receive training which will enable him to be placed in helping roles, including welcoming new students, providing academic support, mentoring students on other campuses, and presenting programs on important topics.

Ayrton is completing his sophomore year, and plans to take college classes this summer which will enable him to receive credits towards completing high school in May 2009 as a three year graduate. He is also a member of Student Council, FFA, and the gifted & talented program.

New Breed Racing is proud to partner with Torco Race Fuels, Amalie Oil, Flatout Gaskets, NGK Spark Plugs, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Go Graphix, Vickery’s Speed Shop, Auto Meter Products, Harwood Industries, Parsley’s Chicken Express, Biondo Racing Products, and Doug Foley's Drag Racing School.

Trick My Crew video is here

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:00:13 -0600

It's official! CMTs Trick My Truck has rolled out the promo for the The Trick My Crew sweepstakes.

I'm just not sure who to ask for an autograph. Of course T-Mac is the star of the video when he says. "I'm just the nut behind the wheel." But you can also check out crew chief John Smith motioning for someone to bring him that 5/8" wrench. You can also see Steve Moore getting some quick clutch work done. Not to be outdone, there is some quick cameo appearances from Charlie, Chris and Archie.

You can also see the (now) world famous Austin "Coil" Lambright can be seen closing out the video celebrating another round win by the Amalie Oil Top Fuel Dragster.

Check it out:

Alesi Gerthe - Most Likely to Succeed

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:11:03 -0600

New Breed Racing and Hoosier Thunder Motorsports teammate, Alesi Gerthe was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by her classmates at Rockdale High School in Rockdale Texas.

Alesi was all nominated for Class Favorite and Miss RHS. "We've always been proud of her accomplishments on and off the track," Terry McMillen said. "She's a very bright young lady and I know she will succeed at whatever it is she sets out to do."

Alesi competes in IHRA's Quick Rod division where she is currently 16th in points. Her brother Ayrton, competing in his first season of Quick Rod is 28th in points.

After graduation Alesi wants to pursue a degree in marketing.