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Denver: Cory McClenathan preview

WESTERN SWING SWEEPER IN '97, MCCLENATHAN SET FOR DRIVE ON 'THE MOUNTAIN' BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 8, 2009) - Cory McClenathan, who swept the Western Swing in 1997, by winning in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif., on three straight weekends, is set ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:42 PM

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WESTERN SWING SWEEPER IN '97, MCCLENATHAN SET FOR DRIVE ON 'THE MOUNTAIN'

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 8, 2009) - Cory McClenathan, who swept the Western Swing in 1997, by winning in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif., on three straight weekends, is set to begin the 2009 Swing at this weekend's Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., just outside of Denver.

The driver of the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing knows it's not an easy task to score a victory on a mile-high drag strip carved out of the side of a mountain. "It's tough on the cars," said McClenathan, who has two Denver wins to his credit, in 1997 and '98, plus three No. 1 qualifiers in '97, '98 and '08. "We've had a lot of success in Denver in the past, so it's always been a good track for me.

"This Western Swing is harder on the crew guys than it is on any of the drivers," added McClenathan, who stands fifth in the point standings. "There's a lot of driving around the country, a lot of makeup work. They have to prepare a lot of engines between races and they only get one or two days to catch up. But I know all of my FRAM guys are up to the task.

"I was at the race shop in Brownsburg, Ind., last week practicing reaction times in the car and the FRAM Tough Guard guys were getting as many motors together as they could for the three weekends in a row.

"I think we have something working in our favor to make power in the FRAM Tough Guard car and I think we're going to be looking pretty good when we get to Bandimere. (Crew chiefs) Todd (Okuhara), Phil (Shuler) and I are really excited about it. Can't wait to get out there and see what the car can do.

"I enjoy racing in Denver. The Bandimeres are great people and every time we go to Bandimere Speedway we see improvements because they are always doing something different to the track. Good people, good family, always have been, and I look forward to going out there."

-credit: dsr

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