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Millican Looking for Hometown Win at Memphis |
The process has been slow in developing for several different reasons, but
Clay Millican is finally becoming a familiar face to drag racing fans in
western Tennessee and northwest Mississippi, especially when NHRA’s POWERade
Series pays a visit.
Millican will be contending for a berth in the 16-car starting lineup and
the O’Reilly’s Mid-South Nationals Top Fuel championship.
Millican is the hometown favorite. The resident of Drummonds, Tenn. – and
its most well-known citizen – is the driver of Evan Knoll’s RATT – Back for
More Tour dragster. And he is quite happy to soon be among his family, fans
and friends at Memphis Motorsports Park this weekend.
“We get to sleep in our own beds and get up and go to work,” said the
ebullient Millican. “I’m happy because when I go to work I drive the Top Fuel
dragster, and this time I’ll be doing it in front of a lot of people I know.
It can’t get any better than that.”
Well, maybe a victory would bring a lot more smiles, too.
Millican says his chances of doing that are improving with each race under
the guidance of new tuner Johnny West. “The car is definitely running good
and of course we are looking forward to racing in Memphis.”
This will be his sixth competitive Top Fuel appearance at the track in
nearby Millington. He once was a familiar face there during his Sportsman racing
days, before he and former crew chief Mike Kloeber joined forces. The duo
combined for unprecedented IHRA success, winning an impressive 50 races and six
season titles. This is the first year Millican is committed to the full
NHRA series.
He would like to equal or improve his 2004 performance when he drove into
the semifinals. Last year he qualified 15th and lost in the first round. He
had the same fate in 2005. He failed to qualify only once (2000, his first
year driving a dragster instead of a forklift for a food store chain) before the
local fans.
“We have a new chassis we may run during qualifying,” said Millican. “I’m
excited. I want to hop in it as soon as possible and take it for a ride.
Johnny said he’d rather wait until our Monday test session.”
No matter which RATT Mobile he’s in, Millican, West and the team want to
send everyone home with a victory on Sunday.
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Television Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD qualifying highlights, 10 p.m. to
midnight, ET
Sunday, Sept. 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD eliminations, 7-10 p.m., ET
# # #
For more information on Torco Racing Fuels, SKULL Shine Car Care Products
and SKULL Gear apparel, please visit: www.torcoracefuels.com or www.torcoracefuels.com.
# # #
Evan Knoll, the founder of Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels and a major sponsor
of motorsports, has dedicated himself to bringing high quality racing fuel to
every aspect of motorsports. When Evan is not spending time with his
daughters you will find him following one of his many-sponsored race teams. Evan
is a loyal family man and an avid drag racing fan.
The company also offers commercial and racing oils and lubes; SKULL Shine, a
complete line of car care products; SKULL Gear, a complete line of apparel,
traction compound, and racing-related accessories. |
