Cory Mac: 'Fans are getting their money's worth
As the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winds down to the final three events of the playoffs, the dramatic Top Fuel Countdown to the Championship is providing the fans a thrilling battle to the finish. This weekend's 26th annual NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa., outside of Reading, Pa., could be the turning point for Cory McClenathan, driver of the FRAM Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing.
In his 20th year of competition, McClenathan has never won a Top Fuel championship, and enters this event in second place, just 69 points behind leader Larry Dixon. It is within his reach. Talk about the pressure, the agony, that knot-in-your-gut feeling. He's got it all. And, breathing down his neck, is his DSR teammate Tony Schumacher, 25 markers behind.
"If I've said it once, I've said it probably too many times. The fans are definitely getting their money's worth this year,” he offered. “Obviously, the Countdown fight is playing into ESPN2's hands and everybody is staying tuned. It's probably killing most of the drivers and it's definitely got my attention.
"But, it makes you try to step up to a whole new level, and that's what we on the FRAM team need to do. We need to get out there, qualify well and go for every little bonus point we can get. On top of that, it looks like the weather is going to be good enough this weekend in Reading that it might be possible to set a national elapsed-time record." That feat would earn 20 bonus points for the driver who nails it. "Cory Mac" has already demonstrated he and the FRAM team have the capability to accomplish that, having set the quickest elapsed time racing to 1000 feet of 3.752 seconds in Englishtown, N.J., this year.
"We all know how fast Maple Grove Raceway can be if the weather conditions are right," added McClenathan, whose only win at this track was in 1997. He was also low qualifier there in 1992.
"We need to be steady," he said, "and if anybody slips up a little bit, we'll be right there to take advantage. But then, that would be the case for our competitors as well, so there's no question it will be exciting.
"Dixon is within striking distance, and Tony is right on our heels. It's going to make for an interesting last few events."
CORY MCCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* Age 47 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Fishers, Ind.; daughter Courtney (10/25/90); engaged to Debi Dixon
* No. 2 in 2010 point standings after three of six events in Countdown (one runner-up, two semifinals)
* Is 69 points behind leader Larry Dixon; 25 ahead of Tony Schumacher
* Reading TF champion in 1997; low qualifier in 1992
* Qualified No. 4 at 2009 Reading event, lost second round to Spencer Massey
* Had three victories (in six final rounds) and five semifinal finishes in the first 17 races of the "regular" season
* Has five No. 1 qualifiers so far in 2010
* Has 34 career Top Fuel victories in 64 final rounds
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 and 1998)
* No. 5 in 2009 "regular season" Top Fuel point standings
* No. 4 in 2009 year-end standings with a victory in Concord, N.C., the opening round of the playoffs
* Had one win in four final rounds in 2009, plus five semifinal and six quarterfinal finishes
* Qualified No. 1 once in 2009 (Bristol)
* No. 3 in 2008 Top Fuel point standings, including one win in three final rounds, as well as eight semifinal, six quarterfinal, seven first-round finishes and two No. 1 qualifiers
* 1996 and 1999 U.S. Nationals champion; runner-up in 1997
* Career-best elapsed time to 1000 feet: 3.752 seconds (Englishtown '10) - the quickest ET in NHRA history racing to 1000 feet
* Career-best speed to 1000 feet: 324.75 mph (Englishtown 2010) - second fastest in NHRA 1000-foot era
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17-mph run in Dallas in 1997 (quarter-mile)
* Has recorded 508 career round wins in Top Fuel (500th won in Brainerd 2010)
* Qualified No. 1 38 times, with a career-high seven times in 1993
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Finished No. 10 in rookie season in 1991; made first 4-second run
* Made NHRA history with first run in the 4.70s (4.799) at Reading in 1992
* 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
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; 2010 is fifth season with sponsorship from FRAM
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 8 - FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 9 - FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 10 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FULL THROTTLE SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 9, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 10:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 10, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at 10 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 10ESPN3.com will televise of coverage of eliminations starting at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 10, ESPN and ESPNHD will televise two and half hours of coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).
Posted by dennisp at 10/6/2010 6:39 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Hot Rod Magazine NHRA Hot Rod School of Hot Rod Dennis Pittsenbarger
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Hot Rod Magazine NHRA Hot Rod School of Hot Rod Dennis Pittsenbarger
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