Carrier Boyz Racing--Prerace
CARRIER BOYZ RACING FRAM AIRHOG TOP FUEL DRAGSTER *Visit our website at www.carrierboyzracing.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: MICKEY SCHULTZ PHONE/FAX: 770-476-8477 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net EIGHT ANNUAL NHRA CARQUEST AUTO PARTS NATIONALS ROUTE 66 RACEWAY - JOLIET, ILL. JUNE 9-12, 2005 * *Larry Carrier 1922-2005 (photo courtesy of Bristol Motor Speedway archives) * *Carrier Family and points foremost on Cory Mac's mind this weekend* JOLIET, Ill. (June 8, 2005) - As he enters this weekend's NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals, Cory McClenathan, driver of the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM AirHog Top Fuel dragster, has two thoughts that are paramount in his mind. First and foremost, his thoughts turn to his owners, Mark and Andy Carrier, their mother Shirley and the entire Carrier Family on the passing of Larry Carrier, the family patriarch, on Tuesday. "Larry Carrier was one of those individual that was ahead of his time but the results were that he brought many new innovations to both drag racing and NASCAR," reflected McClenathan. "He was an icon. "I never had the pleasure of spending time with Larry and I think that's what saddens me the most. I knew Larry though spending time with the boys and Shirley. He certainly did an outstanding job bring up both Mark and Andy and the character they have and their drive to win. It is indicative of the type of man he was. It is a trait that came from both Larry and Shirley and has become a trait instilled in Carrier Boyz Racing. I wish I hadn't missed out on spending time with Larry and for that I am deeply saddened. "Right now, my thoughts are on and with the Carrier Family and the people that were really close to Larry. I wish I could be there for them and with them, but unfortunately racing is what we do for a living and I will be representing the family in Chicago this weekend. The family needs some time for themselves and some time to be together as a family and to share the good time and positives things that were a part Larry's life. I certainly will have them on my mind." Secondly, while the team carries on in Joliet, Cory's thoughts are on NHRA POWERade points. Cory is currently No. 9 in the POWERade Top Fuel point standings, one point behind eighth, 16 behind seventh, 44 behind sixth and 118 out of the top five. "You get in slumps along the way and kind of get off track, but it looks like Todd Smith (crew chief) and the guys have this FRAM AirHog dragster back on track," said McClenathan, as his thoughts turned to racing. "They had the car going at the last race in Topeka and I go and throw it away with a bad light in eliminations. The results were that we're back to ninth in points now. "It's important that we pick up some points at this event. We need to start going a few more rounds than the guys in front of us in the points. We need to get a running shot and have momentum going our way as we head for home in the last half of the season. Points were never more important than they are right now." *QUALIFYING:* Qualifying for McClenathan and the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM AirHog Dragster begins with two sessions on Friday, scheduled for 4:30 and 8 p.m., and concludes with two additional sessions on Saturday at 12:30 and 4 p.m. McClenathan begins his quest for the Top Fuel title on Sunday with eliminations for all classes getting underway at 11 a.m. *All times are eastern time (ET) and subject to change at anytime. * *TELEVISION:* Qualifying highlights for the eight annual NHRA CARQUEST Auto Parts Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday evening (June 11) from 6-7 p.m. ESPN2 will also air same-day television coverage of eliminations from 3 until 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (June 12). The elimination show repeats on ESPN2 early Monday morning, June 13, from 2 until 4:30 a.m. Also, tune in to NHRA2Day on ESPN2, the weekly show that gives you the inside scoop about the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA2Day can be seen on Sunday, June 12 at 11:30 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.* 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.* -30-