Denver: Cory McClenathan final summary

Broken Motor Sends McClenathan Home Early

Cory McClenathan's Mile-High Nationals performance in the thin air of Denver did not improve during Sunday's eliminations at Bandimere Speedway.

The engine in the Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel dragster expired while McClenathan was in the midst of a tight, throttle-pedaling race against JR Todd in the opening round. Todd took advantage, winning with an elapsed time of 5.488 seconds at 265.06 mph to a slowing 5.523 at 219.61 for McClenathan.

"We were ahead of him at half-track," said McClenathan, who qualified "15th, but then the engine broke."

Crew chief Wes Cerny said, "We had a cylinder out and then we had an ignition problem. That caused the engine to hydraulic.

McClenathan remained ninth in POWERade Series points with 611.

The team, happy to be returning to sea level, returns to action in the Schuck 's Auto Supply Nationals at Seattle, Friday through Sunday.

-cbr