Clay Millican and Rick Ware Racing (RWR) have their sights set high as they gear up for the NHRA Top Fuel championship. They are confident that their readiness for the championship will command the respect of their competitors. Millican, in a conversation with RACER, asserted that his team has earned its place in the championship, adding that other teams are not looking forward to facing them in the initial rounds.
The championship has been on their radar for the past few years, although their involvement evolved over time. The turning point arrived in September 2022 when Ware announced the establishment of his Top Fuel team with Millican, just before the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Their partnership’s sixth race and the season’s second to last was held in Las Vegas.
Despite a rocky start in the qualifying rounds in Las Vegas, Millican managed to outpace Justin Ashley in the first round of the race day. This proved to be a significant milestone as Millican triumphed over Ashley, who had been making significant strides in the Countdown. Ashley’s run of bad luck continued into the following week, causing him to lose the championship.
The year 2023 saw Millican and Ware clinch three victories in Chicago, Bandimere, and St. Louis, which was a career-best for Millican in a single season. Interestingly, these were also the first three wins for Ware as a team owner.
But the crowning glory came in the following year when the team won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Although they had a mathematical shot at the championship, they fell short in the finale, leaving Millican at the sixth spot in the standings.
Reflecting on their performance, Millican said, “We proved that we can up our game at any given moment. 2024 was a more consistent year for us, even though we won fewer races compared to 2023. Consistency is the key to getting into the championship fight, and we displayed that in 2024. I am confident that we will continue to grow in our third year with Rick Ware Racing.”
Before RWR, Millican was a part of the Doug Stringer organization. In 2022, Ware arranged a deal to buy the team when Stringer was ready to step back. He praised Stringer’s management skills and his decision to do what was best for him.
Under Ware’s stewardship, the team has seen a slew of new opportunities. The operations have been moved to Ware’s shop in Mooresville, N.C., away from the drag racing hub of Indianapolis. Despite this, the core of the Stringer team remains intact and has continued to thrive under the new leadership.
Reflecting on the team’s growth, Millican said, “We now have more resources than ever before. Having a larger inventory and more spare parts has given us the freedom to take risks without compromising the next run.” He adds, “The most crucial factor in our success is our people. If you have good people, you’ll get good results. What’s impressive about our team is that we accept our mistakes without pointing fingers, which is crucial, especially for the tuners.”
He also had high praises for Ware’s management style. “He’s a hands-on guy, but he also trusts his people and gives them the freedom to do what they think is best. This approach has certainly paid off.” With this strong team ethic and winning mindset, Millican and Rick Ware Racing look set to make a significant impact in the upcoming Top Fuel championship.