Millican was the number two qualifier with an elapsed time of 4.651 at 315.56 mph. He faced number seven qualifier Dean in the first round of eliminations. Millican had the advantage off the line with a reaction time of .064 seconds to Dean’s .088, and led most of the race despite hazing the tires around the 330 foot mark. Dean made it to the finish line first, however, with an E.T. of 4.963 to Millican’s 5.068 at 272.94 mph.

“It’s very disappointing to lose, especially in the first round,” said Millican. “This Werner team is great though, and I’m very confident that we will come back strong in a few weeks at the race in Martin, Michigan.”

Millican has won five of the seven IHRA races in which he has competed this year, and is the leader of the IHRA Top Fuel points standings. He has won a total of 41 races in his career, more than any other professional driver in IHRA history. Millican and Team Werner/Kenny Koretsky Motorsports will race next at the IHRA Northern Nationals in Martin, Mich. on August 12-14.

In addition to their IHRA schedule, the team will race in six more NHRA events this season, including Millican’s hometown race, the NHRA O’Reilly Mid- South Nationals in Memphis on August 19-21

Millican Looks to Avenge '04 Loss at IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals

By Andrea Geurin | Kenny Koretsky Motorsports

Chicago – Clay Millican of Team Werner/Kenny Koretsky Motorsports will look to win his sixth IHRA event of the 2005 season at the IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals in Cayuga, Ontario, on July 29-31 at the Toronto Motorsports Park.

Should Millican win the race, he will avenge his first loss of the 2004 season, which took place at the ACDelco Canadian Nationals against Canada's own Todd Paton in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations.

Millican, the four-time IHRA Top Fuel Champion, is the current leader of the 2005 IHRA Top Fuel points standings, as he is 175 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Bruce Litton. Millican won the first five IHRA events of the season, and in his last race, the Motor City Nationals in Milan, Mich., his special Dukes of Hazzard-themed dragster crashed in the second round of eliminations, marking his first loss of the season. Millican did not suffer any injuries from the accident and the car has been repaired for the upcoming race. (See Photos & Interview)

"We've been very busy at the shop for the past week and a half getting the car ready to go again," said Millican. "I am very excited to get back out on the track with this Werner team and hopefully win our sixth race of the year."

The ACDelco Canadian Nationals is the third and final Canadian stop on the 2005 IHRA tour, and Millican has won the previous two events this season, which took place in Grand Bend, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta.

"I love the fans in Canada," said Millican. "They are some of the best drag racing fans in the world and they always give our team a very warm welcome and make us feel right at home."

In addition to Millican and Team Werner's quest to win their fifth consecutive IHRA Top Fuel Championship, the team has also raced in four NHRA national events this season with six more on their schedule.