Wed, 14 Jul 2010, 12:32 PM McClenathan, Wilkerson, Anderson Hope to Sweep Western Swing

Courtesy of John Cardinale

SONOMA, Calif. --

Cory McClenathan celebrates Seattle win.

Cory McClenathan enters this weekend's FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway with momentum after taking the victory on Sunday at the Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

McClenathan (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) all posted wins in Seattle and are one step closer to capturing the coveted Western Swing.

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series comes to Infineon Raceway this weekend, followed by the final stop in Denver.

McClenathan, who swept the Western Swing in 1997, defeated Antron Brown in Sunday's Top Fuel final. The FRAM dragster produced a run of 3.887 seconds (311.70 mph) against Brown, who won the Western Swing in 2009, to take the victory.

"There's Antron (Brown) and myself in the final, we've both won (the Western Swing) . I want to be the first to win it two times," said McClenathan. "I know that's a lot to ask for, but you can't get there until you win this first one and that's what we did."

The win also moved McClenathan around teammate Tony Schumacher and into second place in the Top Fuel point standings. McClenathan has never won an NHRA Top Fuel championship.

It was the third consecutive final round for Wilkerson (Levi, Ray & Shoup), who defeated Ron Capps in Sunday's final. Wilkerson is the defending Sonoma champion and he also won at Infineon Raceway in 2004. He is on a two-race win streak, having won in Ohio prior to the start of the Western Swing.

Greg Anderson celebrates Seattle win.

"We're happy to be in the position we're in and we seem to really come into our own in this kind of weather," said Wilkerson, who moved around Ashley Force Hood into fifth place. "We try not to think about it or do anything to pull us backwards. Just go run the racetrack every round."

Anderson will be looking for his fourth victory in Sonoma, which would be a track record for Pro Stock. He is also seeking his second sweep of the Western Swing; he accomplished the feat in 2004. He beat Johnny Gray in Sunday's final in his Summit Racing Pontiac.

"I'm the only guy (in Pro Stock) with a chance to sweep (the Western Swing)," said Anderson. "It's a neat, neat deal. I've been able to do it once in my career and I remember what a great feeling that was. It's still a long way down the road, and I'm not going to say we're going to win those two races, but we've got a chance. I've got a great hot rod right now."

The FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, July 16-18, will feature professional competition in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Race fans will also enjoy the first Infineon Raceway Nostalgia Get-Together, driver Q&A sessions, a Don Schumacher Racing autograph session and more. Tickets start at just $39. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com/nhra.

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