Driving the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, McClenathan has shown quiet determination and skill this year, and his team, led by first-time Top Fuel tuners Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler, have demonstrated their strength on the drag strip.

In just seven national events, McClenathan has advanced to the final round twice, to the semifinals once and to the quarterfinals three times. He's qualified in the top half of the field in four events, including his best of the season, a No. 2 at the last race in St. Louis. He's fourth in the standings, just 108 points out of first place. A victory to add to his career tally of 30 is all that's missing. "Cory Mac" has never won the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. He would like to do that this weekend.

"I think that the FRAM Tough Guard car needs a win, and I'd like nothing better than to do it in Bristol," said McClenathan, who launched his pro career in 1991. "I think we're kind of on the verge of it. We're one of those top-three, -four, -five cars. If you keep running that good, you're bound to make it into the winner's circle. That's how I've always looked at it.

"The FRAM Tough Guard guys have done a great job. If we just keep on being consistent we're going to fall on the right side of the ladder. It looks to me like some of those five different drivers who have won this year had a little bit of luck fall on their shoulders. And that's what we need.

"We have worked very hard for every single one of our rounds this year, so I think if we can go out there and get one good lucky round and run well the rest of the rounds, we'll be OK."

As for this dynamic season, which has seen the points shuffle at every event, "This season is like what we saw in Funny Car last year," he said. "And it's going to continue this way to the end, I believe. It could come down to where there's four or five of us going into the last couple of races or even into Pomona (season-closer) and still have a shot at the title.

"It's exciting for everybody and for us too. It keeps us on our toes as drivers, and the crew chiefs are wondering what to do one week to the next and one round to the next. It makes them make bigger changes that they necessarily wouldn't normally make.

"We're beginning to get into the summer months, where we have to be concerned about the heat, but It won't be that hot in Bristol," added McClenathan. "We won't have to worry about that. Those races are coming up soon, so we're excited for Bristol. This might be the time when we can put the FRAM Tough Guard car into the winner's circle.

"It would be great for me. I'd love to win there. I never have."

CORY MCCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 4 in 2009 Top Fuel point standings, with two runner-up, one semifinal, three quarterfinal and one first-round finish in first seven events of season
* 108 points out of first place in standings
* 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
* Qualified No. 12 in '08 Bristol, lost first round to Hillary Will
* Has never won in Bristol
* Has 30 career Top Fuel victories in 55 final rounds
* First driver to break the 320-mph barrier with 322.17-mph run in Dallas in 1997
* Has recorded 443 career round wins in Top Fuel
* Qualified No. 1 32 times, with a career-high seven times in 1993
* Recorded 400th round win in Top Fuel in Richmond 2007
* Has finished No. 2 in the standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 & 1998)
* 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
* Won the U.S. Nationals twice (1996, 1999)
* Missed four races in 1993 after crash in Rockingham and still finished sixth in the Top Fuel points
* Age 46 (January 30, 1963); born in Wichita, Kansas, now lives in Brownsburg, Ind.; daughter Courtney (10/25/90)
* Joined Don Schumacher Racing in 2008; 2009 is fourth season with sponsorship from FRAM

Courtesy of Judy Stropus