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Clay Millican Serves Up a Runner Up Finish at the 50th Annual Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals 

GAINESVILLE, FL – Clay Millican serves up a runner up finish in the Top Fuel category at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals. The Mike Kloeber-led team had an almost perfect day to capitalize on their achievements as a new team for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello drag racing season.

The Straightline Strategy Group’s Top Fuel dragster finished qualifying with a strong top half of the field #7 position with a 3.74 at 326 mph.

With a weather delay start on Sunday, Millican faced the two rookies of the Top Fuel class in the first two rounds. First, he defeated Austin Prock with a 3.71 at 325 mph and then continued his rookie control with a 3.701 at 325 mph, best ET of the weekend for the team, against Jordan Vandergriff. Millican is one of the best drivers in the series and he proved that right with a quick pedal job to get the win over Doug Kalitta in round 3.

With the hopes of the Winner’s circle so close, the crew hustled and turned the car around as Kloeber delivered a compelling tune up. The Parts Plus/Strutmasters.com team was up against #12 qualifier Richie Crampton. With approximately 18 inches in .0032 seconds as the margin of victory at the finish line, Millican’s 3.75 at 324 mph wasn’t able to turn on the final win light.

“It really felt like many people thought the jury was out on how this team would perform and that hurdle has now been cleared,” says Scott Gardner, partner of SSG. “Mike Kloeber knows how to win rounds and has clearly shown that already in just three races into the season. The ownership group is ecstatic with the tremendous progress this team has made coupled with the conservative use of parts. So far we’ve hit our playbook pretty well.”

With their final round appearance, a certain spark has ignited within the crew.

“Exceeding our own expectations, the Parts Plus crew handled the between round service flawlessly on Sunday,” says crew chief, Mike Kloeber. “The final round appearance has the crew pumped up and looking forward to Vegas.”

With the success of consistency, Millican finds comfort in the 3.70s. With the tune up coming together and the team finding their rhythm on Sunday, this weekend proved they are a contender for the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel Championship.

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