Memphis: Cory McClenathan Saturday summary

MEMPHIS, August 19, 2006 -- Cory McClenathan and the Carrier Boyz FRAM Boost Top Fuel team accomplished one of their goals Saturday during qualifying for Sunday's O'Reilly's Mid-South Nationals at hot, humid Memphis Motorsports Park.

McClenathan's 4.655-second effort that came Friday night, held up for seventh quickest when qualifying concluded Saturday, but it did him no favors when it came to a first-round foe. He'll square off against Doug Kalitta, the currently POWERade Series points leader.

McClenathan, who got down the track with times of 4.769 and 4.673 seconds Saturday, was particularly pleased the car went down the track on all three qualifying attempts. One session was washed out by a Friday afternoon storm.

"Wes (Cerny, crew chief) said his tune-up would get after it in the middle of the track and tip-toe at the end of the track . . . and that's what it did," said McClenathan of the 4.673 run that was fifth-best of the session. We did get down the track all three times (during qualifying). Hopefully we'll be able to do it four more times on Sunday. We need it."

As for Kalitta, McClenathan said it "will definitely be a good race."

-credit: cbr