NHRA

Millington: Cory McClenathan

McClenathan puts Centennial Batteries Dragster in fourth on qualifying ladder. MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- With qualifying complete at the NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park, Cory McClenathan, driver of ...

Published: Sep 23, 2002, 2:27 PM

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McClenathan puts Centennial Batteries Dragster in fourth on qualifying ladder.

MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- With qualifying complete at the NHRA O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park, Cory McClenathan, driver of the Henkelman & Baca Motorsports Centennial Batteries Top Fuel Dragster finished in the top half of the qualifying grid in the fourth position.

After a lengthy rain delay on Friday, qualifying got underway in the early evening. McClenathan, from Anaheim, Calif., recorded an E.T. of 4.623 seconds at a speed of 319.52 mph to hold down the third spot at the end of day one.

"We did what we set out to do," said McClenathan at the end of Friday's qualifying. "We planned to be aggressive, go after the big numbers and put this Henkelman and Baca Centennial Batteries Dragster as near the top of the pack as we could. On today's (Friday's) run we accomplished all the above.

"Tomorrow (Saturday) Wes will have to adjust to the changing weather conditions. There will be more sun and hotter temperatures but Wes will stick to our game plan."

Continuing to be aggressive in Saturday's first qualifying session, McClenathan smoked the big Goodyears and coasted to a 6.810 second pass, dropping to fourth in the process. It was dé jà vu in Saturday's second session with the tires going up in smoke and McClenathan shutting the 6000-plus horsepower dragster down reaching the finish line in 6.331 seconds at 129.34 mph, ending qualifying in fourth.

In tomorrow's opening round of eliminations McClenathan will meet Mike Smith. Smith qualified 13th with a pass of 4.837 seconds at 300.26 mph. Eliminations will get underway at 11 a.m.

-h&bm-

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