Disappointed Cory Mac and Carrier Boyz Racing out in opening round
FIFTH ANNUAL NHRA O'REILLY THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS BRISTOL DRAGWAY APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2005 Qualified: #9 (4.813 seconds at 298.54 mph) Eliminations: Round 1: McClenathan (9.014/98.98) lost to Scott Weis (5.239/195.08) Disappointed Cory Mac and Carrier Boyz Racing out in opening round BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 1, 2005) - Cory McClenathan, driving the special edition 40th anniversary Bristol Dragway FRAM AirHog dragster, fell victim to Scott Weis in the opening round of Top Fuel at the NHRA O'Reilly Thunder Valley Nationals. The first professional pair on the track today, after rain washed out all but one session of Friday and Saturday's qualifying, McClenathan launched and immediately broke the big Goodyears loose from the Bristol Dragway surface. It's difficult when you beat yourself," said Cory McClenathan, after his first round loss to Scott Weis. "No disrespect to Todd (Smith, crew chief) and our crew but a deteriorating track today, lack of track time over the weekend and being the first pair out beat us, not Scott Weis. Even though we did, you should never lose to a 5.23 (seconds). We have beat Weis three out of the four times we have run this year but as Scott said after the win the odds swung in his favor." The loss was costly in the POWERade Top Fuel point chase as Cory Mac leaves Bristol in the No. 6 position. He now has accumulated 343 points after six of 23 events on the 2005 schedule. The loss was a disappointment to both McClenathan and Carrier Boyz Racing, whose operation is based in Bristol, Tenn. "The first round loss temporarily hurt us in points but we'll rebound. It's disappointing for the Carrier family and the team. We wanted very badly to put the 40th anniversary FRAM AirHog car in the winner's circle. I feel bad for the Carrier family, FRAM and the guys on the team that I couldn't get it hooked up It only went about 20-feet before it blew the tires loose," reflected McClenathan. Andy Carrier, who along with his brother Mark owns Carrier Boyz Racing, echoed his feelings. "It was a difficult weekend for everybody. When you're at your hometown track you have added stress from family, friends and well-wishers who want you to win. We're disappointed that we couldn't put the 40th anniversary Bristol Dragway FRAM AirHog dragster in the winner's circle for all that were here supporting us." The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series now moves to Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., for the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals, May 12-15. McClenathan is the defending Top Fuel champion. "We'll be back in Atlanta and will try to defend the Top Fuel title we won last there last year," concluded McClenathan, from Lake Havasu City, Ariz. TELEVISION: ESPN2 will air 3 hours of same-day television coverage of eliminations this evening beginning at 7 p.m. An abbreviated version of the elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, May 2, from 2:30 until 4:30 a.m. Television times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. Check local listings. Headquartered in Danbury, Conn., FRAM®, the official filter of the NHRA®, is a unit of Honeywell Consumer Products Group, which manufactures and markets the FRAM AirHog^(TM) air filter and other quality FRAM automotive filters. The Honeywell Consumer Products Group also includes Prestone® antifreeze/coolant and car care products, Autolite® spark plugs and ignition wire sets and Holts® car care products. For additional information visit the following websites: FRAM at www.fram.com and FRAM AirHog at www.framairhog.com or call 1-800-862-7737. Carrier Boyz Racing is based in Bristol, Tenn. For 2005, Carrier Boyz Racing and primary marketing partners FRAM and Honeywell welcome the support of our associate marketing partners: American Racing Wheels, Autolite Spark Plugs, Bendix, Fabtech, GMC, Mac Tools, Prestone and PurePower Oil. Visit our website at www.carrierboyzracing.com for the most current team news, race results and team merchandise.