NHRA
Columbus: Cory McClenathan preview
The 600th round of eliminations coming up for Cory Mac Hebron, Ohio (May16, 2005) -- Once qualified, when the opening round of eliminations begins for the 41st annual NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing, ...
Published: May 18, 2005, 3:12 AM
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The 600th round of eliminations coming up for Cory Mac
Hebron, Ohio (May16, 2005) -- Once qualified, when the opening round of eliminations begins for the 41st annual NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing, Cory McClenathan, who drives the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM AirHog Top Fuel dragster, will be competing in his 600th round of Top Fuel competition.
Of the previous 599 rounds of eliminations that the Lake Havasu City, Ariz., driver has competed in, he has won 364 times for a winning percentage of 61-percent in a Top Fuel career that began in 1991.
During that span McClenathan has been to the final round 47 times, winning 28. He currently stands fifth on the all time Top Fuel win list and is second among active full time Top Fuel drivers currently campaigning on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. He also has four wins in the sportsman ranks driving an alcohol dragster.
"It been a long and some times hard road getting to number 600, but it has been fun," said McClenathan, who also has 29 No. 1 qualifying positions to his credit. "My goal growing up was to be a race car driver and I wouldn't change the last 599 opportunities that I've had to race the best drag racers in the world. I hope to be doing this for quite a few years to come."
McClenathan's drag racing career began at age 16 behind the wheel of Volkswagen-powered race cars, winning the first three races he entered. During his first three seasons as a professional he drove the family-owned Mac Attack dragster. He then drove for a who's-who list of owners and currently drives for Andy and Mark Carrier.
"I want to thank so many people for giving me opportunities all along the way. I wouldn't be anywhere without the love and support of my dad, mom, sister and family. They started it all and gave up much so that I could race. Then came all those great owners that I drove for -- Larry Minor, Joe Gibbs, David Baca and Rick Henkelman, and Darrell and Jerry Gwynn. And currently, I've found a home with Carrier Boyz Racing -- brothers Andy and Mark Carrier and their mom and dad, Shirley and Larry. Drag racing is truly a family sport," reflected McClenathan.
Of his 28 career wins, one has come at National Trail Raceway. McClenathan defeated Larry Dixon in 1996.
McClenathan, with 397 points, enters the Pontiac Performance Nationals No. 6 in the POWERade Top Fuel point standings, just 26 points out of the top five and 62 behind third.
QUALIFYING: Qualifying for McClenathan and the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM AirHog Dragster begins with two sessions on Friday, scheduled for 5 and 8 p.m., and concludes with two additional sessions on Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. McClenathan begins his quest for the Top Fuel title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes getting underway at 11 a.m. All times are eastern time (ET) and subject to change at anytime.
TELEVISION: Qualifying highlights for the 41st annual NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing can be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday evening (May 21) from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 8 until 11 p.m. on Sunday evening (May 22). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, May 123, from 2 until 4:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings.
Headquartered in Danbury, Conn., FRAM®, the official filter of the NHRA®, is a unit of Honeywell Consumer Products Group, which manufactures and markets the FRAM AirHog™ air filter and other quality FRAM automotive filters. The Honeywell Consumer Products Group also includes Prestone® antifreeze/coolant and car care products, Autolite® spark plugs and ignition wire sets and Holts® car care products. For additional information visit the following websites: FRAM at www.fram.com and FRAM AirHog at www.framairhog.com or call 1-800-862-7737.
For 2005, Carrier Boyz Racing and primary marketing partners FRAM and Honeywell welcome the support of our associate marketing partners: American Racing Wheels, Autolite Spark Plugs, Bendix, Fabtech, GMC, Mac Tools, Prestone and PurePower Oil. Visit our website at www.carrierboyzracing.com for the most current team news, race results and team merchandise.
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