Cory McClenathan had his pedaling shoes on Sunday during O’Reilly Summer Nationals eliminations at Heartland Park Topeka, picking up a round win with his throttle-pumping prowess.
The team lost its two Saturday qualifying sessions when blower pulley bolts broke on each run and crew chief Wes Cerny and assistant crew chief Tony Shortall weren’t able to prevent the tires from smoking in either of the car’s Sunday runs.
With smoke billowing from the large rear tires, McClenathan, the No. 16 qualifier, urged his car down the track and got the first-round win light in 5.834 seconds at 240.42 mph to upset No. 1 qualifier Joe Hartley’s trailing 8.183 at 137.67 mph.
However, the veteran driver wasn’t able to repeat the feat in the quarterfinal against David Grubnic. Grubnic fought his way down-track to win at 5.559 seconds, 229.04 mph to Cory Mac’s 5.961 at 247.70.
“We were very fortunate to go rounds today, ” said McClenathan. “The tricky conditions on the race track definitely made it tough on everybody. I think this is just one of those situations where this new track surface will continue to get better. I always look forward to coming back here because I was born in Wichita. ”
McClenathan said his car “got sideways against Grubnic and I had to let it calm down before getting back on the throttle and Grubby just out-did me. ”
McClenathan is now ninth in POWERade Series points with 387, but only 16 out of fourth place. He returns to action in the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 Nationals, Friday through Sunday, at Route 66 Raceway at Joliet, Ill.
Scott Griffin Motorsports would like to thank the companies that help us stay competitive: FRAM, Torco Racing Fuels, JEGS, JET Tools, GMC, Mac Tools, Serta, Motel 6, Lucas Oil, Nordic Boats, Seelye-Wright Automotive Group and Lucas Cycles.
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