Miller Out, Tomlinson And Curtis In For Cocoa Beach

As Tyler Miller knows better than most, more than speed-and trim-control rest on the shoulders of an offshore racing throttleman who doubles as a team owner. Miller, who is recovering from recent back surgery handled by Michael “Doc” Janssen at his well-known clinic in Denver, Colo., has found replacements for his seat in the team’s Super Cat-class M CON/Monster Energy Skater 388 raceboat and Class 1 Monster Energy/M CON Skater 438 raceboat for Thunder On Cocoa Beach, May 17-19.

For the past eight or nine months, Miller had been experiencing what he described as a “burning sensation” in his right leg and “loss of feeling” in his toes.

“I reached out to my cousin Dr Brett Miller “ceo and founder of HURT app” as the pain climbing out of the boat in the Marathon race dropped me to my knees,” he explained. “His team at Orthopedics and sports medicine in St. Joseph (Mo.) did an amazing job and quickly got my MRI over to Dr. Janssen. Doc Janssen discussed what surgery would be and scheduled us for a first-on-the-list Monday morning procedure.

Johnny Tomlinson with share the cockpit of the M CON/Monster Energy Super Cat with regular driver Myrick Coil. Photos by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“My wife, Lindsey, and I traveled Sunday afternoon to Colorado to meet Dr Janssen and his staff at North Metro center for Spine And Orthopedics,”he continued. “They were all absolutely amazing. His facility is world-class, and to see all the inner workings made us feel right at home. Doc successfully removed two extruded discs that were lodged in the nerves of my spine.”

John Tomlinson will take Miller’s seat alongside driver Myrick Coil in Miller’s Super Cat -classSkater raceboat. That brings Tomlinson’s throttleman commitments in Cocoa Beach, Fla, next weekend to three, as also will throttle new Class 1 Morpheus8 Offshore team Victory catamaran in Class with driver Brit Lilly—on loan from the currently sidelined XINSURANCE team—and TS Motorsports, an MTI 390X catamaran campaigned by owner/driver Taylor Scism in the 450R Factory Stock ranks.

On the Class 1 side of the M CON equation, Steve Curtis will sub in for Miller. A multi-time Class 1 world champion too good to be sitting on the sidelines, Curtis throttled the Huski boat until the sponsor bowed out of Class 1 following the 2023 season. As he does with Miller, Coil with join Curtis in the cockpit

Steve Curtis with share the cockpit of the Class 1 Monster Energy/M CON cat with regular driver Myrick Coil.

Within four hours after surgery, Miller was “walking laps at the hotel” with Lindsey at his side. But significant healing that could potentially take six weeks remains. Miller discussed the situation with Coil and began marking a plan for both teams to compete in Cocoa Beach.

“After phone conversations with Steve Curtis and John Tomlinson, both agreed to help out and take the sticks,” he said. “Lindsey and I are very thankful and humbled that both Steve and John are stepping in during our time of need. It’s going to be a very exciting weekend, one a lot different view than my normal one, but health comes first as we all know.”

Miller paused for a moment.

“Having Lindsey beside me through it all, solid as a rock as always ,was the biggest blessing I could ever ask for,” he added “She took amazing care of me, so much better than I deserve. She’s simply an amazing woman.”