Bristol: Cory McClenathan final summary

Carrier Boyz Racing came up short at Bristol but weekend a success

BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 3, 2004) -- NOTE: Due to persistent rains, Sunday's eliminations were postponed until Monday, May 03, 2004.

In the opening round of today's (Monday's) fourth annual O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals, Cory McClenathan, driver of the Carrier Boyz Racing Berryman Products Top Fuel dragster, faced the 75th opponent of his career when he raced Brady Kalivoda.

McClenathan got away first at the green and maintained the lead all the way down Bristol Dragway, winning over Kalivoda with a run of 4.604 seconds. Said Cory Mac after the round win, "We have a good tune up, we just need to show it next round."

Next up was Brandon Bernstein, who set a track record (later surpassed) with a pass of 4.524 seconds. In six previous meeting, Bernstein holds a five to one advantage.

The tune up was right but the track was McClenathan's undoing. After the Carrier Boyz Racing Berryman Top Fuel dragster lost traction, Bernstein raced to his six win over McClenathan. Bernstein recorded a 4.561-second pass, while Cory Mac just coasted to the finish line.

A disappointed McClenathan said, "I really wanted to give the Carrier family their first win. It would have been great in front of their hometown fans but it just wasn't meant to be. We'll get that first win soon and then many more. I have that much confidence in Todd Smith and this entire team. Even with the loss you can count the weekend successful."

"We tried to run harder that round," said crew chief Todd Smith. "Bernstein made a last second lane change and we were faced with a lane that had too many bald spots at the starting line. We couldn't get a hold of it (the lane) and Bernstein came out on top and we came up short."

The next race on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals presented by Pontiac at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. This event unfolds April 14-16.

-cbr-