Pomona: Cory McClenathan Saturday notes

McCLENATHAN QUALIFIES NO. 8 IN POMONA

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2008) -- FRAM Top Fuel dragster driver Cory McClenathan, who recently joined the Don Schumacher Racing stable, rode a wave of consistent performance to qualify in the No. 8 position for the NHRA Winternationals after posting his quickest elapsed time of 4.532 seconds at 329.58 mph in the third of four qualifying sessions this weekend.

McClenathan also recorded elapsed times of 4.539 and 4.536 seconds with a top speed of 330.23 mph before smoking the tires in the final qualifying session. He will face Brandon Bernstein in round one of eliminations on Sunday.

"The FRAM crew guys did a great job," said McClenathan. "They had the car well prepared. Everything is brand new, including a new back-half on the car. To come out swinging like that was great and we had a very consistent car during qualifying. We ran 4.53 three different times but we weren't aggressive enough during that last round. The track came around and it was actually very good and we underestimated it and now we know what we can and can't do.

"I think the guys have done a great job and (crew chief) Mike Green has got a good handle on the fuel system and we're not hurting parts," added McClenathan. That's really the main goal here.

"I just want to go from A to B tomorrow. We've got to race Brandon Bernstein and it's been a long time since I beat Brandon, but I would have to say right now we've got a good chance."

-credit: dsr