In his 30 career national-event victories in 55 final rounds, Cory McClenathan, known as “Cory Mac” to his friends and fans, has not yet won at Route 66 Raceway. He hopes this weekend’s NHRA Route 66 Nationals at that drag strip will reward him.
McClenathan will not be driving his usual FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster this weekend. Instead, his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan will be sporting that design on the Funny Car he pilots. McClenathan’s car will run a different, unique scheme, details of which will be announced later this week.
Although McClenathan has never won at Route 66 Raceway, nor has he been a runner-up, he has qualified No. 1 twice there: in 2000 and 2004.
“I’ve never won in Chicago, so I’m hoping we can add a victory there to our record,” said McClenathan, who stands fifth in the Top Fuel points rankings following Sunday’s quarterfinal finish at Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas. “Chicago is a big race for the FRAM team, the Gates belts and hose folks, and, of course, Don Schumacher Racing, with Don living near Chicago.
“I’d like nothing better than to win this one. In fact, a perfect scenario would be a final round with me against points leader and six-time world champion Tony Schumacher (Don’s son) in the U.S. Army car. Just let us duke it out and have some fun.”
CORY MCCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 5 in 2009 Top Fuel point standings, with two runner-up, one semifinal, five quarterfinal and one first-round finish in first nine events of season
* 152 points out of first place in standings
* 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
* Qualified No. 9 in ‘08 Joliet, lost first round to Hillary Will
* Has two No. 1 qualifiers in Joliet: 2000, 2004
* 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 445 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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