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INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2008) – Cory McClenathan will roll into Altanta Dragway this weekend, home of the NHRA Southern Nationals, as the most recent Top Fuel winner on the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series tour. The 45-year-old veteran will be looking to score back-to-back titles and his fourth at this event behind the wheel of the FRAM Top Fuel dragster. He enters the sixth event on the 24-race schedule with plenty of momentum after claiming Don Schumacher Racing’s 105th national-event win.
McClenathan, known as "Cory Mac" to his fans and friends, won his 30th Top Fuel race at the NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 13, which marked his 52nd career final-round appearance and second of the season (Pomona1). It was also his first victory since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2008 and his first national-event win since Richmond in 2006.
"The win in Vegas was really nice," said McClenathan, "but now it's time to get back to reality and back to work. It's been so long since we had a win and that got my attention the most. Everything seems to be coming together for the FRAM team and we're building confidence as we go along. It's been a lot of fun this season and that's one of the biggest changes in the team since reuniting with crew chief Mike Green and joining DSR. It's become fun again, and when racing is fun you're going to do well."
McClenathan's Vegas triumph tightened up the points for the elite group of drivers at the top of the Top Fuel standings. McClenathan remains in fourth going into Atlanta, just four rounds out of first place. The FRAM dragster has been one of the most consistent race cars to travel down the quarter-mile all season.
"Mike Green and his assistant Neal Strasbaugh have both performed an incredible job this season and they're really good at making sure that everything is done exactly the same ever time. They also do a great job reading the track conditions along with the help of Lanny Miglizzi, the DSR track guru (dubbed the 'track whisperer' by Tony Schumacher) who helps all of our teams with information about the condition of the racing surface."
McClenathan has won the Southern Nationals Top Fuel title three times (1995, 1998, 2004), tied for the most of any Top Fuel driver. He would love to win back-to-back races with another victory at Atlanta Dragway. The last time he won back-to-back Top Fuel races was in 1995 (Richmond-Atlanta).
"There is something to be said when you do well at a track like we have at Atlanta in the past," McClenathan reflected. "You feel more comfortable going in there. Obviously, after winning at the last race in Las Vegas I feel even more comfortable. I have confidence in my race car, my crew chief and my entire crew all the way around.
"When you win a race you just want to keep on winning rounds," added McClenathan. "We're hoping to go into Atlanta and qualify really well and then take it one round at a time. The points become more and more important as we get toward the middle of the season, especially when the weather changes. And I think we have a good race car for either good conditions or tricky track conditions. All the way around I'm excited about it."
CORY McCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* Won the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas April 13, his 30th career Top Fuel victory in 52 final rounds
* No. 4 in Top Fuel point standings after five events in 2008
* Runner-up in season-opening race in Pomona
* Qualified No. 13 at 2007 Southern Nationals, lost in second round to Doug Foley
* Won the Southern Nationals Top Fuel title three times (1995, 1998 & 2004)
* Finished 2007 season 12th in Top Fuel points, the first time out of the top 10 since 2001
* Has recorded 404 career round wins in Top Fuel
* Runner-up in St. Louis in only final-round appearance in 2007
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Has 30 Top Fuel victories in 52 final round appearances, fourth among active drivers on all-time wins list
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 & 1998)
* Finished No. 10 in rookie season in 1991. Made first four-second run
* Made NHRA history with first run in the 4.70s (4.799) at Reading in 1992
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17 mph run in Dallas in 1997
* Swept the three-race Western Swing in 1997 en route to four consecutive wins and career-high six victories in eight final rounds
* Won four of the first six races in 1998. Equaled career-best with six wins in eight finals
* Won the U.S. Nationals twice (1996, 1999)
* Qualified No.1 at 30 races, including a career-high seven in 1993
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Age 45 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Brownsburg, Ind.; has 17-year-old daughter Courtney
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; third season with sponsorship from FRAM
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 25 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2 and 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 26 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 27 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 26, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday April 27, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 27, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, April 25, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
Saturday, April 26, 6-6:30 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, April 27, 7-7:30 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
VEGAS CHAMP MCCLENATHAN GOES FOR FOURTH ATLANTA TOP FUEL TITLE
INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2008) – Cory McClenathan will roll into Altanta Dragway this weekend, home of the NHRA Southern Nationals, as the most recent Top Fuel winner on the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series tour. The 45-year-old veteran will be looking to score back-to-back titles and his fourth at this event behind the wheel of the FRAM Top Fuel dragster. He enters the sixth event on the 24-race schedule with plenty of momentum after claiming Don Schumacher Racing’s 105th national-event win.
McClenathan, known as "Cory Mac" to his fans and friends, won his 30th Top Fuel race at the NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 13, which marked his 52nd career final-round appearance and second of the season (Pomona1). It was also his first victory since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2008 and his first national-event win since Richmond in 2006.
"The win in Vegas was really nice," said McClenathan, "but now it's time to get back to reality and back to work. It's been so long since we had a win and that got my attention the most. Everything seems to be coming together for the FRAM team and we're building confidence as we go along. It's been a lot of fun this season and that's one of the biggest changes in the team since reuniting with crew chief Mike Green and joining DSR. It's become fun again, and when racing is fun you're going to do well."
McClenathan's Vegas triumph tightened up the points for the elite group of drivers at the top of the Top Fuel standings. McClenathan remains in fourth going into Atlanta, just four rounds out of first place. The FRAM dragster has been one of the most consistent race cars to travel down the quarter-mile all season.
"Mike Green and his assistant Neal Strasbaugh have both performed an incredible job this season and they're really good at making sure that everything is done exactly the same ever time. They also do a great job reading the track conditions along with the help of Lanny Miglizzi, the DSR track guru (dubbed the 'track whisperer' by Tony Schumacher) who helps all of our teams with information about the condition of the racing surface."
McClenathan has won the Southern Nationals Top Fuel title three times (1995, 1998, 2004), tied for the most of any Top Fuel driver. He would love to win back-to-back races with another victory at Atlanta Dragway. The last time he won back-to-back Top Fuel races was in 1995 (Richmond-Atlanta).
"There is something to be said when you do well at a track like we have at Atlanta in the past," McClenathan reflected. "You feel more comfortable going in there. Obviously, after winning at the last race in Las Vegas I feel even more comfortable. I have confidence in my race car, my crew chief and my entire crew all the way around.
"When you win a race you just want to keep on winning rounds," added McClenathan. "We're hoping to go into Atlanta and qualify really well and then take it one round at a time. The points become more and more important as we get toward the middle of the season, especially when the weather changes. And I think we have a good race car for either good conditions or tricky track conditions. All the way around I'm excited about it."
CORY McCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* Won the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas April 13, his 30th career Top Fuel victory in 52 final rounds
* No. 4 in Top Fuel point standings after five events in 2008
* Runner-up in season-opening race in Pomona
* Qualified No. 13 at 2007 Southern Nationals, lost in second round to Doug Foley
* Won the Southern Nationals Top Fuel title three times (1995, 1998 & 2004)
* Finished 2007 season 12th in Top Fuel points, the first time out of the top 10 since 2001
* Has recorded 404 career round wins in Top Fuel
* Runner-up in St. Louis in only final-round appearance in 2007
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Has 30 Top Fuel victories in 52 final round appearances, fourth among active drivers on all-time wins list
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 & 1998)
* Finished No. 10 in rookie season in 1991. Made first four-second run
* Made NHRA history with first run in the 4.70s (4.799) at Reading in 1992
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17 mph run in Dallas in 1997
* Swept the three-race Western Swing in 1997 en route to four consecutive wins and career-high six victories in eight final rounds
* Won four of the first six races in 1998. Equaled career-best with six wins in eight finals
* Won the U.S. Nationals twice (1996, 1999)
* Qualified No.1 at 30 races, including a career-high seven in 1993
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Age 45 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Brownsburg, Ind.; has 17-year-old daughter Courtney
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; third season with sponsorship from FRAM
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 25 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2 and 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 26 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, April 27 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, April 26, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday April 27, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, April 27, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, April 25, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
Saturday, April 26, 6-6:30 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
Sunday, April 27, 7-7:30 p.m. (ET) – Horizons 2 / Transponder 12K (12160 MHz, vertical)
