Cory McClenathan, who swept the Western Swing in 1997 by winning all three back-to-back-to-back
events in Denver, Seattle and Sonoma, Calif., heads to this weekend's NHRA Northwest Nationals
without the chance to do it again following a solid semifinal finish in Denver last Sunday. He does
arrive, however, with a strong opportunity to win for the second time at Pacific Raceways.
Besides the '97 triumph here, the driver of the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel Dragster for Don
Schumacher Racing also holds a stellar record of three runner-up finishes in America's Northwest
corner: in 1993 (as low qualifier), '95 and '98.
"Seattle has always been good to me," said McClenathan, who stands fifth in the 2009 NHRA Full
Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points. "We've won here, we've qualified well here, and I
expect no different this weekend."
As for coming off a mile-high experience in Denver down to sea level in Seattle, "These different
conditions at race tracks don't seem to affect the FRAM Tough Guard guys whatsoever," said
McClenathan. "Todd and Phil (crew chiefs Okuhara and Shuler) go to every single race track with the
same attitude that this is our car, we race our car only, we don't worry about the other guy, we go
A to B, and we let the chips fall where they may. I expect nothing less from them.
"They just go out there and read the track and get input from our 'track whisperer,' Lanny
Miglizzi. Thank God we have Lanny; that helps us a lot.
"The FRAM Tough Guard guys are ultimate professionals. I couldn't dream to have a better team; I
really couldn't. These guys are just that good. And I'm really proud of them and proud to be a part
of this DSR team.
"I can't wait to get in the car this weekend and in Sonoma (the weekend following the Seattle
event) and see what we can do, because we seem to have a good cool weather tune-up and a good hot
weather tune-up. My competitors are no dummies. They know we're good and that we're going to be a
player."
CORY MCCLENATHAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 5 in 2009 Top Fuel point standings, with two runner-up, two semifinal, seven quarterfinal and
two first-round finishes in first 13 events of season
* 159 points out of third place in standings
* Seattle winner in 1997 (Gary Scelzi)
* Seattle runner-up in '93 (Tommy Johnson Jr.); '95 (Ron Capps); '98 (Joe Amato)
* No. 1 qualifier in Seattle in 1993
* Qualified No. 10 in 2008 Seattle; lost second round to Brandon Bernstein
* 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
* 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 449 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
Cory Mac Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brownsburg-IN/Cory-Mac/74199417179?ref=ts#/pages/Brown
sburg-IN/Cory-Mac/74199417179?v=wall&viewas=14308109
Cory Mac Fanatics Group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brownsburg-IN/Cory-Mac/74199417179?ref=ts#/group.php?g
id=73981312612
On Twitter he may be followed on http://twitter.com/Cory_Mac_TF
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, July 17 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 3 and 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 18 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, July 19 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, July 18, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m.
(ET).
Sunday, July 19, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day at 11a.m. (ET) Sunday, July 19,
ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).
