Madison: Cory McClenathan preview

Cory Mac Ready to Go Straight down Track after Dirt Track Venture

So, how did Cory McClenathan prepare for this weekend's O'Reilly Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway?

Well, for example, he practiced turning left. On dirt. Driving an IMCA Modified in Sedalia, Mo.

McClenathan is one of five NHRA drivers scheduled to compete in the 10-man Celebrity Modified Race Wednesday for charity at Missouri State Fair Speedway. He was eagerly awaiting his first taste of open-wheel competition.

But nothing will deter him from being in Madison, Ill., a few miles across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, in time for Friday's first qualifying runs. He will be strapped into the familiar orange and black Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM Boost Top Fuel dragster in an unfamiliar routine. Because this is a night race, the nitromethane-fueled teams are scheduled for 6 and 9 p.m. runs on Friday and 3 and 8 p.m. runs Saturday. Sunday's eliminations get underway at 3 p.m.

"We think we have a good combination for hot weather and cool weather right now. So I think we'll have a good setup for the Gateway track," McClenathan said. "Wes Cerny, our crew chief, and Tony Shortall, his assistant, have the car running pretty consistently. You have to do that before you win races. We keep creeping up on it and we are close to the point where I believe we can put enough round wins together to get a race win.

"Running at night really isn't much fun for me, but it's the only thing we can do because it is usually so hot and humid during the day in St. Louis around this time of the year," he continued.

McClenathan goes into the11th of 23 POWERade Series events sitting ninth in points with 547. He trails Morgan Lucas and Tony Schumacher, who are tied for seventh, by 13 points..

"We need to get some round wins in St. Louis," McClenathan noted. "There' s still plenty of time left for us to move up into the top five."

-Carrier Boyz Racing