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NHRA: McClenathan Looks to Win First Big Bud Shootout

12 November 1998

LOS ANGELES-- Cory McClenathan will compete with seven other NHRA Top Fuel drivers for a chance to win $100,000 at the 14th Annual Big Bud Shootout on Saturday, November 14, at Pomona Raceway. It will be the seventh time that the McDonald's/Pontiac pilot has competed in the special non-points event which is being held in conjunction with the Winston Finals on November 12-15. "Right now, even though Scelzi has the championship locked up, we would like nothing more than to win the Big Bud Shootout, get that seventh win in Pomona and make history by winning the most races in a season by a Top Fuel team," said McClenathan. "If we could go out winning those two races, that would definitely end the season on a good note."

The eight drivers accumulating the most points in qualifying during the first 21 events of the year will race in the Big Bud Shootout. McClenathan, 35, of Lake Havasu, Ariz., is the No. 3 qualifier and will race No. 6 qualifier Kenny Bernstein in round one. Defending champion Gary Scelzi is the No. 1 qualifier and will race No. 8 qualifier Larry Dixon, No. 2 qualifier Joe Amato will race No. 7 qualifier Doug Kalitta, and No. 4 qualifier Mike Dunn will race No. 5 qualifier Eddie Hill.

McClenathan has never won the Big Bud Shootout but came close three times when he was runner-up in 1992, 1994 and 1996. He is currently second in the Winston standings and is looking to win his record-breaking seventh race of the year at the Winston Finals.

Same-day television coverage of the Big Bud Shootout can be seen on TNN on Saturday, November 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern.