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Ernest McClain ( a Mill Road Boy)
Steve from Elkton, Maryland and Ernie from Smyrna, Delaware are brothers who in 1972, built their first front engine dragster, “The Mill Road Boys”, a small block powered Jr. fueler. In 1975 they switched to AA/DA using the same car with a SUPERCHARGED small block. With Ernie driving this combination they were runner-up at the IHRA race in Cecil County, MD that year. The car received several Best Appearing Car & Crew Awards! In 1976 Stephen took a leave of absence from his job at General Motors and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he assisted his good friend Jim Bucher. Steve helped Jim campaign his car on the NHRA Top Fuel circuit until Jim’s death in 1977. At their first race they were runner-up at the 1976 Gatornationals. Returning to Maryland, the McClain’s continued to run their AA/DA Front Engine Dragster until 1978. From 1990 until 1995 the McClain’s assisted Frank Stafford racing his Rear Engine Top Alcohol Dragster.
Ed Crafton
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Ed started racing in 1962 while working with John Muse of Downey, CA. They worked on Nick Harsell’s AA/Fuel Alter and driven by Willie Borsh. Ed and John teamed up with the Lewis Brothers and raced the “Sparkling Burgundy” Top Fuel Dragster on the East Coast. Ed drove this Front Engine Dragster until he was involved in a serious racing accident in 1970.
John Mills
Perryville, Rhode Island, John started his racing career at Jim Russell Racing School at age 17. John met Stephen McClain in 2001 while “bench racing” on the Internet. Over the next three-years John ultimately produced a Goodguy’s VRA (Vintage Racing Association) legal A/fuel dragster and debuted this dragster in February 2004. John caught up with Stephen and the rest of the Tri State team at a race in Cayuga, Canada. This meeting led to John’s inclusion into the team as fuel specialist and the “computer guy”.
Stephen Nichols ( a Mill Road Boy)
Newark, Delaware, Steve’s experience with the sport is through his life long friendship with Stephen McClain. Some of Steve’s fondest memories were when he and Steve McClain were crewing for Jim Fox & Dodger Glen of the “Frantic Ford AA/FC”. Steve assisted with Stephen and Ernie McClain’s 1972 fueler “The Mill Road Boys” (you guessed it all three lived on Mill Road). Steve attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at Pomona, CA and Gainsville, FL. Steve debuted his “The Mill Road Boys” 1970 Camaro Fuel Funny Car at Goodguys 16th Hot Rod Nationals at Indy 2004.
Frank Stafford
One of the original founding members in 1998 has taken a leave of absence to raise a family in 2000.