Johns Nitro World

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

NHRA and Social Media World

Monday, April 25, 2011

I am doing this blog on Terry McMillen because he has come along way to get where he is, and he is also one of the most wonderful, kind hearted person I have met on the drag racing circuit. Not only is he out talking, sharing experiences to his fans on Facebook and Twitter or signing autographs on and off the track, but in a moments notice he took the time away from his busy schedule to come and hang with his Twitter fans in Concord, NC at the ZMax 4-Wide Nationals on 4/16/11. I have great respect for Terry McMillen, Jim Walczak, and Cori Wickler who came out to Dave & Busters for a TweetUp that we planned just days before the event, and they spent time with their #1 fans and shared experiences, stories, took pictures, and signed autographs. It was the Highlight of my weekend in Concord, NC.

Terry grew up in the Muscle Car era, and was very fascinated with fast cars. When he was 14, he worked hard having a paper route before and after school so he could raise enough money to buy a this 1932 Ford, with a 392 Hemi and dual quads, he had his eye on. He started driving his 32 Ford at 15 1/2 years old, but not on the street, he would take it down to Merriville, IN, at the legendary US 30 Drag Strip. There his passion for drag racing continued to grow as he spent time racing his 32 Ford. From there Terry moved on to Bracket racing, Nitro Funny Car, and is now the Top Fuel Driver for the Amalie Top Fuel Dragster in the NHRA Full Throttle Series. He is based out of Elkhart, Indiana. One of his Highlights was beating Larry Dixon in Round 1 of the NHRA Winternationals in February in Pomona, CA. He is improving every time he goes down the track. Before you know it, he will win an event, which is his one of his short term goals. One of his long term goals is to win the Championship, and I am rooting him on to conquer that goal. He hopes to finish in the Top 10 in 2011 in the Top Fuel Class. Team McMillen is also working on supporting another Top Fuel Dragster this year. They are working diligently to get funding and the car ready for some events this year. I wish him great success on the growth of his team. When Terry is away from the need for speed, he loves boating, fishing and yard work.

Be looking for Terry McMillen in the near future as he will become a top contender in the Top Fuel Class. His passion and determination for the drag racing sport, I feel, will help him to conquer his goals. To find out more on Terry McMillen and his Top Fuel Dragster and Team, please click on the link below. All his fans hope that Terry will have an outstanding year in 2011. It would be great to see him compete in the top 10 and have a chance at the National Championship for 2011.

Link to Terry McMillen's web site:

http://terrymcmillen.com/

Link to Pictures from 2011 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals"

http://nitrojohns.shutterfly.com/

Thursday, April 21, 2011

From the Eyes of a Newbie, 4-Wide ZMAX Dragway

It all started out for me on Twitter. I connected with a wonderful group of people who are die hard NHRA fans. How we connected I really don't remember, but I feel truly blessed we did.
@NHRAChat - Greg & @NitroJohn - John started talking to me about a visitmyrtlebeach.com NHRA 4-Wide Nationals race they would be attending in Charlotte. I have never attend an NHRA race or any race for that matter. It sounded like fun though seeing that I like fast cars. Those two said come on and join us. A lot easier said than done due to finances. @LDCRust - Laura, whom I have never met said come on I will have two tickets waiting for you.
Are you serious? Who are these people? Well, let me tell you who they are. They are a family, a NHRA Family, and they welcomed me into the fold with open arms.
@cfreedle73 - Chris and I showed up to the track Saturday and found @LDCRust. She handed us our tickets and into the track we went. She is one of the best people I have had the privilege to meet.
Of course with the kind of luck I have, it stormed for the first 30 minutes we were there. Then the skies cleared and it turned into a beautiful day.
We finally met up with @NHRAChat, @NitroJohn, and @PapaNitroSTL. They became our guides into the life of NHRA racing.
They took us around the pits, where we got to watch the cars warming up. I gave everyone a good laugh when when I witnessed my first car firing up. I jumped a good 2 feet. That was the most exhilarating feeling though.
With the smell of Nitro in the air we worked our way to the stands. With earplugs in, I watched for the very first time the cars go flying by down the drag strip. I could feel it through my entire body. What a rush!
I have to say I am now addicted. Nitro has a funny way of seeping into your blood where you just can't get enough. You start counting down the days till the next race.
Our day became even more exhilarating thanks to Joe - @J88Ryan and Bob Tasca III - @Tasca3. We were invited into the Bob Tasca III pit area, where we got to watch @Tasca3 warm up his funny car. He took the time out to meet with us, take pictures and just chat. During this time we also got to meet Steve - @sremerson and his son. It was a joy to meet them both.
The NHRA drivers are a special breed. Their fans are important to them and they take the time to recognize us.
After the day was done at the track we headed on over to Dave and Busters for a tweetup. @TerryMcMillen, Jim and Cori were hanging out with us signing autographs. He is one of the best.
This whole experience has been a dream come true. Thank you to the NHRA family for welcoming @cfreedle73 and myself in. You are the best of the best.
Until the next race: Drive Fast and Drive Hard
Margie Freedle
@margiefreedle on twitter

Monday, April 18, 2011

4-Wide at ZMAX Dragway Weekend

First of all, let me just say WOW! What an experience to be at this 4-Wide NHRA visitmyrtlebeach.com Nationals in Concord, NC. The excitement, the rush, and adrenalin that this race produces is beyond ones wildest dreams. I would have to say that this is the NEW NHRA Platform that is going to take the NHRA to new heights. I may even go one step further and say that this event wins my award for being the BEST event on the NHRA Full Throttle Series Tour. It just beat out the BIG GO in Indy for me on Pure Excitement, and I Love going to Indy for their NHRA US National Event. I was a little hesitant at first to attend, but you got to be there to witness and absorb all that is has to offer.
Greg (@NHRAChat), Lynn (PapaNitroSTL) and I flew into Charlotte Airport on Friday 4/15, then all headed out to the track where we met up with a great Friend that got us into the event for all days there which included the sponsor viewing area. We arrived just in time for the start of the Pro Session which includes Pro Stock, Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters. We were hanging out in the Sponsor Viewing area, and as we looked through the glass where the timing system was implemented, who was there looking at us non other then Laura (@LDCRust). We had tweeted her for a while but never met her and it was amazing that she recognized us. This woman is amazing and has a heart of gold. She actually, without ever meeting these (@margiefreedle & @cfreedle) NHRA 1st time comers whom we have been tweeting with, reached out an gave them 2 tickets to Saturdays Event. See folks, this is how the NHRA Family and Twitter Family are such special people. Just extraordinarily good hearted, down top earth people with hearts of Gold.
While walking the Pits on Friday I met up with Courtney Force and introduced myself to her as NitroJohn on twitter. She thanked me for all the ReTweets that I do for her and John Force Racing and that was so cool. I asked her to sign an autograph for a great twitter friend in California that couldn't make the event and without hesitating, she said no problem, and actually signed two for her (@KellyNorCal).
Then there we were waiting for the 1st Quad Top Fuel Cars to run down the track on Round one of qualifying. This took our breaths away as the roared with 32,000 hp down the track. It is and was an amazing site to see, but not just seeing it, actually feeling it. Right from there, I was hooked on 4-Wide NHRA Drag racing. THere has been a lot of mix emotions about 4_Wide, but I feel that the NHRA is making changes and getting this Platform ready for future events on the Full Throttle Series Tour. I think they will possible add the 4-Wide to more tracks as the years go by.
Throughout the day we walked through the pits talking to drivers, crews, and watching qualifying rounds 1 & 2. We just couldn't get enough of watching 4 cars going down the track at the same time. After the event we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse where we met some friends and enjoyed a great dinner. We then went swimming at our hotel indoor pool where we met up with Steve (@semerson) and his son. We weren't through yet as we continued the party going back to the Roadhouse and meeting up with Laura. We had a few drinks and enjoyed spending time with our new family member.
Saturday we were right back at the track, but it was raining and the weather was in Thunderstorm mode. Thanks to Don Schumacher Racing, we had made camp in Hospitality on Saturday and enjoyed the morning there until the Storm passed. DSR fed us lunch, Fried Chicken, Pork Lion, Potato Salad, Mac & Cheese, green beans, salad, drinks, and brownies. They have a wonderful spread of food at these events and it is so good. The storm was so bad that it actually rained right through the roof of the DSR Tent. Right after the storm, the skies cleared up, they dried the track and qualifying rounds 3 & 4continued throughout the day.
We then met up with Margie, Chris and Joe (@J88Ryan the Quick Lane rep for Bob Tasca III). Joe is one heck of a great guy. He got us all in to the Tasca Camp where we met and talked with Bob Tasca III and also took pictures with us all. Bob treated us like royalty. He took the time out of his busy schedule to talk with some of his #1 fans, and we can't thank him enough. We showed Margie and Chris around the pits as they were like children in a candy store. It was so exciting to bring someone to their first NHRA Event and watch their faces is priceless. Then they started warming up the cars, and they got a taste and smell of the Nitro that we always rave about. One funny incident where they were warming up a car, and they revved the car up, you could see Margie jump 2 feet. We all had a great laugh at that. Then Margie and Chris got to see and hear their First Nitro Cars go down the track. Pictures are posted on the link below. You could see it on their faces that they were hooked. It was a real thrill to watch all this unfold.
One of the Highlights of the day was when Bob Tasca blew the crank right through his engine block, and broke the body of his funny car. The crew worked very diligently to get the car back into racing status, by changing the engine, and getting the old body out. They got it done and back for Q4 just by 2 minuted to spare. IT was an amazing task, and I have to commend the crew for their hard work to get Bob back to the track for Q4. He then ran a 4.14 ET which was the best of that 4 wide cars. Bob almost won on Sunday but was just beat out by Fast Jack Beckman.
Myself, Greg, Lynn, Chris and Margie all went out to dinner Saturday after the event at Sticky Fingers. There they have some great BBQ Ribs, Steaks and Brisket. It was so mouth watering. After that we headed to Dave and Busters to meet up with the TweetUp we had planned. Everyone showed up and even Amalie Top Fuel Driver Terry McMillen, Jim Walczak (Terry's Pr man) and Cori Wickler (Terry's Vice President of Operations). That was so awesome for them to come to our first tweetup. Even though we planned this at the last minute, it ended up a success, and we all had a great evening talking with them all and having Terry sign autographs. They are a Top Notch Team, and that team is up and coming and I know will prove to be one of the top fuel contenders. I have a goal and I hope the others will too, to spread the word about Terry McMillen, and broaden his fan base. We were all so blessed to have Terry, Cori and Jim attend and hang with us for the night. But wait, not over yet! After Dave & Busters, Greg and I met up with Laura at our hotel and walked over to Quaker Steak & Lube to finish out the night. We had a great time with all our new twitter/NHRA fans and we were sad to leave. I hope that we will all get to meet up again at one of the future NHRA events to have more fun and excitement. Congratulations to Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and Greg Anderson for winning the 2nd annual 4-Wide event. I hope to make it back next year and hope more will filling the stands.

Link to Pictures of the weekend at 4-Wide:

http://nitrojohns.shutterfly.com/

Thursday, April 14, 2011

4 Wide Tweetup at Dave & Busters

Hi Twitterverse! For all those in tweetland who are attending the visitmyrtlebeach.com NHRA Nationals at zMAXDragway on April 15-17, 2011, we are having a Tweetup at Dave & Busters in the Concord Mall in Concord, NC at 7:00pm. The Twitter hashtag is #NHRA4Wide. The address is: 8361 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027. Ph# 704-979-1700. Updates and details will follow on Pro Driver/s that will be attending for autographs. After the Tweetup, for those who love the thrill of racing, we will be heading over to the NASCAR Speed Park in the same Mall, to Race on their track. Here is a link to the Nascar Speed Park: http://www.nascarspeedpark.com/nc.aspx
We hope you can attend for some fun action at Dave & Busters. Bring the kids and enjoy the evening meeting up with fellow NHRA tweeter.
For more information you can email me at nitrojohn12@yahoo.com
Drivers & Crew attending: NHRA Pro Top Fuel Dragster Driver Terry McMillen.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pre 4-Wide at zMAXDragway

With the upcoming 2nd annual visitmyrtlebeach.com NHRA Nationals, the weather reports possibly rain on Friday and Saturday. No matter what the outcome of the weather, I know we will all have the best of times and make the best of it. This is such an exciting event to go to being the only National Event that has a different format of drag racing. Instead of the customary 2 cars going down the track, they have 4 cars roaring down the track all at once producing two times the horsepower at conventional tracks. There are still mix emotions on this event from both the fans and the NHRA drivers.
Last March was the a Historical moment in NHRA History, producing the 1st 4 wide event on the NHRA Full Throttle Series tour. Of course with any changes that we occur in life is not always accepted with open arms at first. ZMax is putting together the prototype of what is about to possibly be implemented at more tracks within the Full Throttle Series Tour. The sister track was actually built with the same specs as zMAX in hopes to one day changing to the 4-Wide format. I did talk to Graham Light on the starting line in Indy last year, and he said that they want this to work, and it could be a big plus for the NHRA. I do agree, and they still have some bugs and changes to perfect it, but I feel they will get it right.
The 4-Wide event will bring a different aspect to the field of play. You can read all about how it works here, so I won't go into the details - http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/17209-4-wide-racing-still-draws-mixed-reactions-from-drivers
This would mean that the race will accelerate in time, possible less down time making way for probable Simulcast of Live TV. I am all for it and willing to go the length to help promote this new format. I will be experiencing the 4-Wide for the first time April 14 - 17 2011 and I will blog on it when I return with a lot of opinions and photo's.
I will be meeting up with a lot of twitter fans at ZMAX this weekend and you can follow them on twitter to view their perspective, views and outtakes of this event. Here are a list: @NHRAChat, @J88Ryan, @gwhitt1, @NancyBenza/@BobBenza and family, @sremerson & his son, @LDCRust, @margiefreedle, cfreedle73, @gottagoracing, @Quick_Lane and @MQL_Racing. Also meeting up with PapaNitro (Gregs Father-in-Law) will be there too who does not have a twitter account.

Johns Nitro World

Welcome Nitro Fans

NitroJohn

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

NHRA and Social Media World

Monday, April 25, 2011

Terry McMillen

Thursday, April 21, 2011

From the Eyes of a Newbie, 4-Wide ZMAX Dragway

Monday, April 18, 2011

4-Wide at ZMAX Dragway Weekend

Thursday, April 14, 2011

4 Wide Tweetup at Dave & Busters

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pre 4-Wide at zMAXDragway

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