Sonoma: Cory McClenathan final summary

New FRAM Boost Dragster Chassis Under Scrutiny after Loss at Sonoma

Disappointed with another early departure from eliminations, Cory McClenathan and the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM Boost Top Fuel team are beginning to look at the car's new, stiffer chassis as the problem area.

The team first used the car three races ago in Denver and, while they've qualified for the three races in NHRA's Western Swing (at Denver, Seattle and Sonoma), they haven't won a round, including in Sunday's FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

"We are working with a car we aren't exactly sure about," said McClenathan following his loss to David Grubnic (4.606 seconds at 321.58 mph to 4.699 at 315.49. "I'm certainly not happy with it and we definitely don't like losing in the first round. From a driver's standpoint, if I'm not winning rounds, I'm not making money.

"Mark and Andy aren't happy with it. We're losing points and we're getting bumped back in points. We want to make this new chassis work, but if it doesn't work we are going to have to go back to the old-style chassis."

There is a difference in tube thickness. The current chassis is stiffer and does not respond to tune-up changes from crew chief Wes Cerny and assistant crew chief Tony Shortall like the old one. They are the only team using the new, thicker tubing.

McClenathan qualified 14th here with a best of 4.700-second time.

Andy and Mark Carrier and Cerny will be discussing their option early in the week before beginning preparations for the next POWERade Series event at Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 11-13.

-Carrier Boyz Racing