NHRA
Bristol: Cory McClenathan preview
MCCLENATHAN MAKES QUIET RUN FOR THE MONEY BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 13, 2009) - In an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel season that is not seeing the dominance of one team or driver as in years past, Cory McClenathan sits comfortably in a ...
Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
MCCLENATHAN MAKES QUIET RUN FOR THE MONEY
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 13, 2009) - In an NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel season that is not seeing the dominance of one team or driver as in years past, Cory McClenathan sits comfortably in a perch from which his view on the horizon includes a strong chance of claiming his first Top Fuel crown.
Driving the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, McClenathan has shown quiet determination and skill this year, and his team, led by first-time Top Fuel tuners Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler, have demonstrated their strength on the drag strip.
In just seven national events, McClenathan has advanced to the final round twice, to the semifinals once and to the quarterfinals three times. He's qualified in the top half of the field in four events, including his best of the season, a No. 2 at the last race in St. Louis. He's fourth in the standings, just 108 points out of first place. A victory to add to his career tally of 30 is all that's missing. "Cory Mac" has never won the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. He would like to do that this weekend.
"I think that the FRAM Tough Guard car needs a win, and I'd like nothing better than to do it in Bristol," said McClenathan, who launched his pro career in 1991. "I think we're kind of on the verge of it. We're one of those top-three, -four, -five cars. If you keep running that good, you're bound to make it into the winner's circle. That's how I've always looked at it.
"The FRAM Tough Guard guys have done a great job. If we just keep on being consistent we're going to fall on the right side of the ladder. It looks to me like some of those five different drivers who have won this year had a little bit of luck fall on their shoulders. And that's what we need.
"We have worked very hard for every single one of our rounds this year, so I think if we can go out there and get one good lucky round and run well the rest of the rounds, we'll be OK."
As for this dynamic season, which has seen the points shuffle at every event, "This season is like what we saw in Funny Car last year," he said. "And it's going to continue this way to the end, I believe. It could come down to where there's four or five of us going into the last couple of races or even into Pomona (season-closer) and still have a shot at the title.
"It's exciting for everybody and for us too. It keeps us on our toes as drivers, and the crew chiefs are wondering what to do one week to the next and one round to the next. It makes them make bigger changes that they necessarily wouldn't normally make.
"We're beginning to get into the summer months, where we have to be concerned about the heat, but It won't be that hot in Bristol," added McClenathan. "We won't have to worry about that. Those races are coming up soon, so we're excited for Bristol. This might be the time when we can put the FRAM Tough Guard car into the winner's circle.
"It would be great for me. I'd love to win there. I never have."
-credit: dsr
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bristol: Allen Johnson preview
Next article Bristol: Doug Kalitta preview
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Cory McClenathan
Worsham, Beckman, Johnson Jr. to decide Funny Car World Championship
NHRA
NHRA
Pomona II
Worsham, Beckman, Johnson Jr. to decide Funny Car World Championship
Can John Force win his 17th championship without his veteran crew chief?
NHRA
NHRA
Las Vegas
Can John Force win his 17th championship without his veteran crew chief?
Top Fuel champion Langdon leads NHRA qualifying
NHRA
NHRA
Top Fuel champion Langdon leads NHRA qualifying
Latest news
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
2 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
10 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
10 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe