Pomona2: Cory McClenathan Saturday summary

McClenathan qualifies No. 11 at season-opening Winternationals

POMONA, Calif. (February 28, 2004) - After a week's delay, qualifying concluded for the NHRA K&N Filters Winternationals, the opening race on the 23-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Cory McClenathan, driver of the Carrier Boyz Racing Berryman Top Fuel dragster, finished qualify in the No. 11 position.

After losing a run last weekend, McClenathan and the Carrier Boyz Racing team accomplished what they set out to do - make the field then try to go rounds on Sunday.

After running a 4.605 second pass yesterday and a 4.737 second today in the first session, crew chief Jimmy Walsh, McClenathan and the Carrier brothers, Andy and Mark, decided to sit out the final Saturday session.

"I'm excited to just have a job this season," reflected McClenathan. To bring Berryman Products, Fabtech, Negley Electric and Don Steves Chevrolet with me this season is just as big as having a job with the Carrier Boyz Racing.

"We overcame another concern when we got in the field on Friday. As I said before, these last minute deals are heart-stoppers but at the same time I feel like I've found a home here. Jimmy Walsh and crew did a good job getting us ready and qualified. Now we'll go after them tomorrow."

On sitting out the final qualifying session, crew chief Jimmy Walsh added, "We are having a little bit of mechanical problems and we are taking the time to sort them out and get ready for tomorrow."

McClenathan will square off against last year's rookie of the year Brandon Bernstein when eliminations begin tomorrow at 11 a.m.

-cbr-