Cory McClenathan, who swept the Western Swing in 1997, by winning in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif., on three straight weekends, is set to begin the 2009 Swing at this weekend’s Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., just outside of Denver.
The driver of the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing knows it’s not an easy task to score a victory on a mile-high drag strip carved out of the side of a mountain. “It’s tough on the cars,” said McClenathan, who has two Denver wins to his credit, in 1997 and ‘98, plus three No. 1 qualifiers in ‘97, ‘98 and ‘08. “We’ve had a lot of success in Denver in the past, so it’s always been a good track for me.”
“This Western Swing is harder on the crew guys than it is on any of the drivers,” added McClenathan, who stands fifth in the point standings. “There’s a lot of driving around the country, a lot of makeup work. They have to prepare a lot of engines between races and they only get one or two days to catch up. But I know all of my FRAM guys are up to the task.”
“I was at the race shop in Brownsburg, Ind., last week practicing reaction times in the car and the FRAM Tough Guard guys were getting as many motors together as they could for the three weekends in a row.”
“I think we have something working in our favor to make power in the FRAM Tough Guard car and I think we’re going to be looking pretty good when we get to Bandimere. (Crew chiefs) Todd (Okuhara), Phil (Shuler) and I are really excited about it. Can’t wait to get out there and see what the car can do.”
“I enjoy racing in Denver. The Bandimeres are great people and every time we go to Bandimere Speedway we see improvements because they are always doing something different to the track. Good people, good family, always have been, and I look forward to going out there.”
CORY MCCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 5 in 2009 Top Fuel point standings, with two runner-up, one semifinal, seven quarterfinal and two first-round finishes in first 12 events of season
* 180 points out of third place in standings
* Denver winner in 1997 and 1998; runner-up in ‘02
* No. 1 qualifier in Denver three times: ‘97, ‘98, ‘08
* Qualified No. 1 in 2008 Denver; lost semifinals to Antron Brown
* No. 3 in 2008 Top Fuel point standings, including one win in three final rounds, as well as eight semifinal, six quarterfinal, seven first-round finishes and two No. 1 qualifiers
* Has 30 career Top Fuel victories in 55 final rounds
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17-mph run in Dallas in 1997
* Has recorded 447 career round wins in Top Fuel
* Qualified No. 1 32 times, with a career-high seven times in 1993
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 & 1998)
* Finished No. 10 in rookie season in 1991; made first 4-second run
* Made NHRA history with first run in the 4.70s (4.799) at Reading in 1992
* Swept the three-race Western Swing in 1997 en route to four consecutive wins and career-high six victories in eight final rounds
* Won four of the first six races in 1998. Equaled career-best with six wins in eight finals
* Won the U.S. Nationals twice (1996, 1999)
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Age 46 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Brownsburg, Ind.; daughter Courtney (10/25/90)
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; 2009 is fourth season with sponsorship from FRAM
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