ELKHART, Ind. - In an announcement today, Terry McMillen, team owner and driver of the Amalie Oil InstiGator Top Fuel dragster, named Richard Hartman crew chief for the team's 2010 NHRA Full Throttle campaign. Hartman joins McMillen after leading Bruce Litton as crew chief or co-crew chief to 14 IHRA victories, including Litton's 2007 IHRA Championship.

"We're excited about having Richard on our team," McMillen said. "He's proven himself to be a consistent tuner over the years. Drag racing is all about consistency and getting a car from point A to point B. I'm confident he'll give us the best opportunity to make an impact early in our quest to make the Countdown."

Continue reading "Richard Hartman Named Tuner for 2010 Amalie Oil Top Fuel Team" »

By Jim - Posted on December 18, 2009 1:00 AM | Permalink |

ELKHART, Ind. -- Austin "Coil" Lambright will make his second start this weekend behind the wheel of the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports Alcohol Funny Car know as the Amalie Oil InstiGator. It will be Lambright's first professional appearance at a national event. The IHRA Northern Nationals begin this weekend at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin Michigan.

"Austin has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity," team owner Terry McMillen said from his Indiana race shop. "He came up through the junior ranks and was very competitive at the sportsman level. He's been with our team for three years now, I'm excited to see how he does."

Lambright will pull double duty this weekend. He'll drive the team Funny Car and continue his duties on McMillen's Amalie Oil / Wolverine Boots and Apparel Top Fuel Dragster. While Lambright is just 22-years-old, he already has 12 years of drag racing experience. "I'm really thankful for Rhonda and Terry McMillen's support," Lambright said. "This is a great opportunity and I want to make the most of it." Woodland Park has been a proud sponsor of Lambright's racing career and will continue with him at this weekend's national event.

Continue reading "New driver takes the wheel of InstiGator Funny Car at IHRA Northern Nationals" »

By Jim - Posted on July 28, 2009 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

Recently Spencer and his family made the trip to Bristol Tennessee for the National Hot Rod Association Junior Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals at Bristol Dragway. His team finished fifth out of 25 teams.

Spencer took home "COOLEST CAR AWARD" of the 650 entries for Best Appearing and Engineered and All around Appearance of racing gear and crew.

Continue reading "Lil Gator still strong at mid-season" »

By Jim - Posted on July 28, 2009 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

We knew she was good at what she does and other people recognize it also.

Rhonda, co-owner of Hoosier Thunder Motorsports, was recently presented with a plaque for Best Customer Service for her service at IHRA national events in the credential trailer.

Rhonda told IHRA.com, "This was really exciting! I was quite surprised and pleased by this award. It's not always an easy task [getting credentials for race teams]! It's all good, though, and I really appreciate being recognized for my work."

You can read about Rhonda and other outstanding IHRA support staff by reading "IHRA Honors Team Members with IHRA Employee Awards".

Congratulations and thanks go to Rhonda and all the recognized staff members. We couldn't race without you.

By Jim - Posted on April 29, 2008 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

OK, so race season is closer than anyone can imagine. And the Hoosier Thunder racing team is implemented a new workout regimen to make sure everyone is in drag racing shape. Pumping iron and hitting the treadmill are always a good way to get in shape. Here's some video of the team in action and getting into tip top condition.

Continue reading "Crew Members New Workout" »

By Jim - Posted on January 20, 2007 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) |

Here's Rhonda (a.k.a. "Princess"... a.k.a. "team backer-upper") giving Terry the necessary hand signals to back him up into the groove of his burnout path.

There are plenty more hand signs to choose from in this process, but this is the one that Rhonda uses most often.

Continue reading "Princess Rhonda Gives Terry The Finger" »

By Jim - Posted on December 10, 2006 11:56 AM | Permalink |

It's off season and the holidays are near. Drag racing keeps everyone on the team pretty busy year round. So, imagine how surprised everyone was when we found out that "TV Dad" had done a little... shall we say... unconventional deer hunting.

Continue reading ""TV Dad" Goes Deer Hunting" »

By Jim - Posted on December 6, 2006 12:10 AM | Permalink |

Here's what you've been waiting for. Sit down, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and for the next 7 minutes enjoy the Hoosier Thunder Motorsports highlight video. You'll get a sneak peek at the new logo and hints of action for the 2006 race season.

Continue reading "Year In Review Video" »

By Jim - Posted on January 19, 2006 7:56 PM | Permalink |

Elkhart, IN - Hoosier Thunder Motorsports owners, Rhonda and Terry Mc Millen, announced that Tad "TV" Heflick has been promoted to Co-Crew Chief and Jim Walczak has been added to its Marketing and Promotions department.

Tad "TV" HeflickHeflick will partner with Co-Crew Chief, Brent "Skinny" Ligard, turning wrenches for the three-car team, featuring the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car, powered by Torco Race Fuels. "Tad has been a strong asset to our team and is a remarkable person," commented Rhonda Mc Millen. "Tad and Brent did an outstanding job last year. I know that they will continue to build on that success and take Hoosier Thunder Motorsports up another level," added Terry.

Continue reading "Hoosier Thunder Motorsports and the Amalie Oil InstiGator Funny Car Team Race Forward With Heflick and Walczak" »

By Jim - Posted on March 2, 2005 2:23 AM | Permalink |