Cory McClenathan will be released from Don
Schumacher Racing, following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle
Drag Racing Series, announced team owner Don Schumacher today.
McClenathan, who has been racing the FRAM Top Fuel dragster for DSR since
2008 and has been sponsored by Honeywell brands FRAM, Prestone and Autolite
since 2006, is in the midst of a tight Top Fuel championship battle that
includes him, Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher. The championship will be
determined at the season finale in Pomona, Calif., Nov. 11-14.
"This was a tough decision to make," said Schumacher. "Cory has done such an
outstanding job for DSR and Honeywell and he has been an important member of
the DSR family. He is a remarkable race-car driver, and clearly a champion
in the making.
"I have invited Cory to stay on with the team until he finds another ride. I
have also asked him to be available if we were in need of a test driver or
if we were to introduce another team in the future."
A replacement driver will be named following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA
season.
"I am not retiring," said McClenathan, 47. "I have had a wonderful
relationship with Don Schumacher, both personal and professional. I am
grateful to him and to Honeywell for all they have done for me.
"Right now I have to focus on trying to win the 2010 championship, which I
want to do for DSR, for Fram, Prestone and Autolite and, of course, for
myself. After this season is over, I will pursue other opportunities to
continue racing in the NHRA Full Throttle Series."
Since McClenathan joined DSR in 2008, he has won five national events in 15
final rounds to date, and was No. 1 qualifier eight times. He set the
quickest elapsed time in NHRA history (racing to 1000 feet) of 3.752 seconds
in 2010. In his 20-year career, he has won 34 national events in 65 final
rounds to date and qualified No. 1 38 times. He was the championship
runner-up four times.
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of six
professional NHRA teams: The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by
seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher; the FRAM dragster of Cory
McClenathan, and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster of Antron Brown. The
Funny Car teams are the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by Ron Capps, the
Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, and the
DieHard Dodge driven by Matt Hagan. DSR also managed in 2010 the Abu
Dhabi/Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel dragster driven by Rod Fuller. Since 1998,
Don Schumacher Racing teams have won 150 national events in 293 final rounds
and eight world championships. Don Schumacher Racing
Schumacher Racing, following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle
Drag Racing Series, announced team owner Don Schumacher today.
McClenathan, who has been racing the FRAM Top Fuel dragster for DSR since
2008 and has been sponsored by Honeywell brands FRAM, Prestone and Autolite
since 2006, is in the midst of a tight Top Fuel championship battle that
includes him, Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher. The championship will be
determined at the season finale in Pomona, Calif., Nov. 11-14.
"This was a tough decision to make," said Schumacher. "Cory has done such an
outstanding job for DSR and Honeywell and he has been an important member of
the DSR family. He is a remarkable race-car driver, and clearly a champion
in the making.
"I have invited Cory to stay on with the team until he finds another ride. I
have also asked him to be available if we were in need of a test driver or
if we were to introduce another team in the future."
A replacement driver will be named following the conclusion of the 2010 NHRA
season.
"I am not retiring," said McClenathan, 47. "I have had a wonderful
relationship with Don Schumacher, both personal and professional. I am
grateful to him and to Honeywell for all they have done for me.
"Right now I have to focus on trying to win the 2010 championship, which I
want to do for DSR, for Fram, Prestone and Autolite and, of course, for
myself. After this season is over, I will pursue other opportunities to
continue racing in the NHRA Full Throttle Series."
Since McClenathan joined DSR in 2008, he has won five national events in 15
final rounds to date, and was No. 1 qualifier eight times. He set the
quickest elapsed time in NHRA history (racing to 1000 feet) of 3.752 seconds
in 2010. In his 20-year career, he has won 34 national events in 65 final
rounds to date and qualified No. 1 38 times. He was the championship
runner-up four times.
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of six
professional NHRA teams: The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by
seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher; the FRAM dragster of Cory
McClenathan, and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster of Antron Brown. The
Funny Car teams are the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by Ron Capps, the
Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge piloted by Jack Beckman, and the
DieHard Dodge driven by Matt Hagan. DSR also managed in 2010 the Abu
Dhabi/Yas Marina Circuit Top Fuel dragster driven by Rod Fuller. Since 1998,
Don Schumacher Racing teams have won 150 national events in 293 final rounds
and eight world championships. Don Schumacher Racing
