With three races already completed, Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel dragster, finds himself 12th in points, two spots outside of the Countdown to 10. He's reached the 12th spot on the strength of his still untarnished NHRA qualifying efforts as team owner/driver, but he's still searching for his first round win of the 2010 season. While some would suggest it's time to worry, McMillen sees no reason to reach for the panic button.
 
"We're an inspired team," McMillen said from his Elkhart, Ind., race shop. "We lost first round in Gainesville with a 3.865 to Tony Schumacher and I was slapping high fives with my guys. That was our career best, the third best of that round, and if we had been racing four-wide in Charlotte we would have moved on to the next round."

With three races already completed, Terry McMillen, driver of the Amalie Oil Top Fuel dragster, finds himself 12th in points, two spots outside of the Countdown to 10. He's reached the 12th spot on the strength of his still untarnished NHRA qualifying efforts as team owner/driver, but he's still searching for his first round win of the 2010 season. While some would suggest it's time to worry, McMillen sees no reason to reach for the panic button.
 
"We're an inspired team," McMillen said from his Elkhart, Ind., race shop. "We lost first round in Gainesville with a 3.865 to Tony Schumacher and I was slapping high fives with my guys. That was our career best, the third best of that round, and if we had been racing four-wide in Charlotte we would have moved on to the next round."
 
McMillen, who captured his first NHRA round win at Charlotte last season when he beat Antron Brown, thinks Charlotte could be the spot for his team to have a breakout race.
 
"I'm excited about being a part of drag racing history. Having a chance to be a part of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is going to be something to remember. Plus, if you look at how things unfolded for us last race, the four-wide deal could be helpful for a single-car team like ours."
 
While McMillen is excited about Charlotte, he knows getting into the Countdown to 10 is a goal still well within his team's reach.
 
"I know we've got to start winning rounds if we want to make a run at the Countdown," McMillen added. "We're not hurting parts and we're getting better every race. Sooner or later, it will be our turn. And when it is our turn, I hope they (round wins) come in bunches."