NHRA

Atlanta: Cory McClenathan preview

Qualify, go rounds at Atlanta Dragway McClenathan's goal. COMMERCE, Ga., April 30, 2002 - It's back-to-back weekends for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series as Cory McClenathan and the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster move this ...

Edited: May 2, 2002, 2:43 AM

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Qualify, go rounds at Atlanta Dragway McClenathan's goal.

COMMERCE, Ga., April 30, 2002 - It's back-to-back weekends for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series as Cory McClenathan and the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster move this weekend to Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, for the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac. The event unfolds May 2-5.

Prior to the event, on Wednesday, May 1, the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports Top Fuel Dragster will be on display, and McClenathan will be signing autographs, from 12 noon until 1 p.m. at Hardee's, 611 Jesse Jewel Parkway, Gainesville, Ga.

Last weekend at the NHRA Mac Tools Thunder Valley Nationals, McClenathan went to his fifth semifinal in six events on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. This propelled the Anaheim, Calif., driver into third position in the POWERade Top Fuel point standings.

McClenathan likes Atlanta Dragway. Although he didn't race in Atlanta last year due to lack of sponsorship and/or a ride, McClenathan was the #1 qualifier during his last visit in 2000. He was also the #1 qualifier in 1995.

While driving for Joe Gibbs, former Washington Redskins coach and owner of two NASCAR teams, McClenathan won the 1998 edition of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac. He also advanced to the semis four other times at Atlanta Dragway during his 12 year Top Fuel career.

"We've always done pretty good at Atlanta," said McClenathan. "I mean, we've won there before and, I think, we were the number one qualifier the last time I raced there. The fans are great and I have a lot of friends in the Atlanta area.

"It the home of EasyCare, which has been on the car a lot of years. We have a long lasting relationship with EasyCare and look forward to that relationship continuing in the future. It will be great to see a lot of the EasyCare people while we're here."

EasyCare, headquartered in Atlanta, is a product of Automobile Protection Corporation - APCO. APCO has been in business since 1984 and is a leader in the service contract industry. EasyCare vehicle contracts are designed to provide a worry free driving experience for owners of both new and previously owned automobiles and recreational vehicles.

McClenathan feels the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports team, owned by veteran drivers Rick Henkelman, from San Jose, Calif., and David Baca, from Brentwood, Calif., will be focused when professional qualifying begins Friday. "Wes Cerny (crew chief) learned a lot about the car and what's going on with the motor while we were in Bristol last weekend. We are looking for things to go really good for us in Atlanta. We just want to go into this race, qualify, and go rounds," said McClenathan.

-hbm-

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