FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster pilot Cory McClenathan grabbed the provisional pole position on
Friday night at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway, posting a 3.874-second
elapsed time at 312.21 mph in the second round of qualifying.
Two more rounds of qualifying will be held on Saturday to determine the 16-car Top Fuel field for
Sunday's eliminations. If he holds on to No. 1 through tomorrow he will have collected his first
No. 1 of the season and the 33rd of his career.
His first attempt this afternoon produced a 3.913/305.08 lap, good for No. 6 at the time.
"(Crew chiefs) Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler may have run Funny Car for a lot of years but they've
done a great job with this FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster," said McClenathan, who has never won
at Bristol Dragway since becoming a pro driver in 1991. "I tell you, it's just been one thing after
another, but this car goes A to B every single race track we go to.
"They told, me, 'Hey, we're stepping on it, we're going for it, so be ready to lift if you have
to.' Obviously, it just went very flawless, very smooth, and almost ran 277 mph to half-track. The
numbers just go to prove that they can do it and get the job done.
"I want to be fast, I always want to be No. 1 and run good on Sunday. I'll gladly give that No. 1
up for a win on Sunday. That's the biggest thing.
"I think I have right now the best team I've had and the best shot at winning a championship in my
whole career."
