The final event of the arduous three-race Western Swing unfolds at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma,
Calif., July 24-26, and the LifeLockracing.com Top Fuel team wants a happy ending.
It has been a non-stop tour for the crew since they left their shop in Munford, Tenn. for races in
Denver and Seattle. Tuesday they took Interstate 5 to California. When the FRAM-Autolite
Nationals conclude, they will embark on the 2,200-mile return journey to Munford.
"The guys are doing a great job," praised Clay Millican. "It's basically non-stop for 28 days for
our guys; 28 days without being at home. They hustled from Denver to Tacoma (Wash.) last week to
get the car to Brad Hadman's chassis shop and they helped Brad install a new front half on the
car."
Their goal this weekend is to put together round wins on Sunday to solidify Millican's grip on the
10th starting position for the six-race Countdown to the Championship that begins September 20. He
has 567 points, 99 behind Doug Kalitta and 44 ahead of Joe Hartley with four races left in the
regular Full Throttle Series season.
Disappointed by first-round setbacks at Denver and Seattle, Millican does not like short work days.
"We need to go four rounds and there's no reason why we can't do it at Sonoma," he said. "I'm
hoping it's really hot there. We seem to have a car that does really good when it's hot. We still
haven't learned how to hit that long home run, but maybe it will come on Sunday."
Although he hasn't been to winner's circle, he has been a finalist four times, including at Topeka,
Kan. in May.
"I think Infineon Raceway is a pretty place," Millican said. "It is a pretty place to race - nice
race track and nice facility."
However, he will not be visiting many wineries in the area during his stay.
"I don't care about wine that much," explained Millican. "I like Welch's grape juice and I don't
know if that grape juice comes from Sonoma."
It's possible, but you can bet an ecstatic Millican will be spraying the celebratory champagne
should he take home the first-place trophy.
The crew gets a much-needed break, too. The next event at Brainerd, Minn. doesn't begin until
August 14.
Pro Qualifying - Friday, 4 and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Sunday, eliminations
begin at 11 a.m.
Television: ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, All times ET
Saturday: two hours of qualifying coverage, 6 p.m.; Sunday: NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race
show, at 11 a.m. (ET); three hours of eliminations coverage, 9 p.m.
