NHRA

Baytown: Cory McClenathan Saturday notes

MCCLENATHAN IS NO. 9 AFTER FINAL HOUSTON QUALIFYING BAYTOWN, Texas (March 28, 2009) - Driving the Top Fuel dragster with the newly-unveiled FRAM Tough Guard design, Cory McClenathan qualified No. 9 for the NHRA Spring Nationals after a rain delay ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:48 PM

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MCCLENATHAN IS NO. 9 AFTER FINAL HOUSTON QUALIFYING

BAYTOWN, Texas (March 28, 2009) - Driving the Top Fuel dragster with the newly-unveiled FRAM Tough Guard design, Cory McClenathan qualified No. 9 for the NHRA Spring Nationals after a rain delay and moisture on the track cancelled Friday's second round.

Today, under much cooler and drier conditions, McClenathan lost his and the FRAM Tough Guard team's grip on the No. 1 spot they earned on Friday with the 3.915-second pass at 313.00 mph, and fell to No. 9.

His first lap today of 3.889/311.05 was good for No. 4 but the later and last attempt of 3.904/30786 did not improve McClenathan's position, as other dragsters moved up the roster.

"We were trying to go out there an run about 3.85 or so and it didn't have the steam for it. Whether it was motor or clutch-related, I'm not sure," said McClenathan, who is a two-time Houston winner and the polesitter here in 2006. "We missed it. I thought we were going to be a little closer.

"I think this FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster has what it takes to win races and the guys are doing a great job. So, I, as a driver, am very happy, actually."

McClenathan faces rookie Shawn Langdon in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday. "We'll just have to go out there and try to beat them; that's all we can do," he said. "You start out first, and then you're fourth and then you're ninth. Obviously we went backwards, but something didn't work right. We had the thing set up to run much better than just a 3.90, so we'll have to check the records and do what we have to do."

-credit: dsr

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