Mclenathan Ready For Another Big Performance In Brainerd
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Aug 05, 2008
NHRA
With only three races remaining until the Countdown to the Championship kicks in for the top 10 racers in points in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series following the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis, the pressure is mounting. As the pro teams prepare for their run to glory, FRAM Top Fuel dragster pilot Cory McClenathan holds a solid spot in the rankings entering this weekend’s 27th annual NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. He’s No. 5 and looks to secure his hold with a strong showing.
“I feel pretty good going into this weekend’s race,” said McClenathan, the 1997 Brainerd champion, who only needs to qualify No. 12 or better to clinch a place in the Countdown. “I think the FRAM team was looking to have a better Western Swing (back-to-back-to-back races in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif.). Our Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher swept the three races, making himself just one of four Top Fuel drivers who have done it. (Joe Amato, Larry Dixon and McClenathan are the other three.) It was really a good thing for their team. They have the dominant car out there right now.
“We looked back at the Western Swing with the knowledge that we went past the first round at every race, we held our own in the points and maintained No. 5. We’re just a few markers out of No. 4 and hopefully we can go to Brainerd and capitalize on this. We need the right people to go out in the first round and we need to win a few rounds on race day. That’s really how I see it right now.
“I look forward to this part of the season. I’m geared back up to go on the road,” added McClenathan, who recently returned from a vacation in Mexico. “The real challenge is going to come at the U.S. Nationals; we all know that. When the points get close there, you’d better be on your game. But I feel pretty good going into Brainerd and the rest of the season.”
CORY McCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 5 in Top Fuel point standings after 15 events in 2008 (one win in two final rounds, four semifinal, three quarterfinal, five first-round finishes)
* No. 16 qualifier at last year’s Brainerd event, advanced to the quarterfinals
* Brainerd TF winner in 1997 (Bob Vandergriff Jr.)
* Qualified No. 1 in Brainerd twice: 1992 and 1998
* Won the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas April 13 this year, his 30th career Top Fuel victory in 52 final rounds
* Runner-up in 2008 season-opening race in Pomona
* Finished 2007 season 12th in Top Fuel points, the first time out of the top 10 since 2001
* Has recorded 418 career round wins in Top Fuel
* No. 1 qualifying twice in 2008 (Atlanta and Denver), has 32 career top qualifiers
* Runner-up in St. Louis in only final-round appearance in 2007
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Has 30 Top Fuel victories in 52 final round appearances, fourth among active drivers on all-time wins list
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 & 1998)
* Finished No. 10 in rookie season in 1991. Made first four-second run
* Made NHRA history with first run in the 4.70s (4.799) at Reading in 1992
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17 mph run in Dallas in 1997
* 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)
* Qualified No. 1 at 31 races, including once this season (Atlanta) and a career-high seven times in 1993
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Age 45 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Brownsburg, Ind.; has 17-year-old daughter Courtney
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; third season with sponsorship from FRAM
