Cory McClenathan came right out of the box in Friday's first qualifying session and posted a time
good enough to qualify the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel dragster in the No. 3 spot, which he
maintained through two more qualifying rounds before rain cancelled the final session.
That first pass on Friday was not his quickest (3.970/289.38); it was the Friday evening pass of
3.844/315.34 which solidified his third-place position. In today's third and final run, he posted a
4.840/148.97. He will face Steve Chrisman in Sunday's first round of eliminations.
"We're actually really happy to be sitting where we are right now," said McClenathan. "We've had
rain everywhere we've been almost, except for one race, where it was completely hot (Topeka, Kan.).
So, we're semi-used to this.
"Looking at the forecast, we're pretty fortunate we got three runs in.
"These FRAM Tough Guard guys have done a great job. I think we're in a good qualifying spot, we're
on the opposite side of our Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher (No. 1), and I think
it's good for us.
"We'll start out with one round at a time tomorrow, but hopefully we can put this FRAM Tough Guard
car in the winner's circle for the first time this year."
