Rockingham: Terry McMillen race notes

Rockingham, NC- IHRA Funny Car driver, Terry McMillen, qualified his Amalie Motor Oil Dodge Avenger in the top half of the field for the 3rd annual IHRA CARQUEST Autumn Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. McMillen advanced to the quarterfinals before bowing out when mechanical gremlins set in.

McMillen opened qualifying on Friday with a 6.03 at 211 mph to grab the No. 4 position on the Funny Car ladder. The Elkhart, Ind., resident returned for Friday's evening session and stepped up his performance by a full tenth of a second with a solid 5.93 at 233 mph to move up to the No. 2 spot. The Amalie Motor Oil-sponsored driver was unable to improve on his run from Friday night during Saturday's final two Funny Car qualifying sessions and finished in the No. 7 position.

McMillen's '98 Dodge Avenger squared off against the '98 Pontiac Trans Am driven by Bobby Baucum during the first round of eliminations on Sunday. The pair left the starting line together but at the top end McMillen drove away from Baucom and took the victory with a 5.99 at 233 mph to Baucom's slowing 6.18 at 208 mph.

Next up on the eliminations ladder for McMillen was the CompetitionPlus.com-sponsored entry driven by John Vouros. Unfortunately, McMillen was unable to answer the call for his quarterfinal match up and Vouros enjoyed a single run into the semifinals.

The next event for Terry McMillen will be the 10th annual IHRA CARQUEST President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway, September 28-30.

-ihra-