McClenathan relinquishes top spot in Denver

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 13 of 24
Mopar Mile-High Nationals
Bandimere Speedway
Morrison, Colo.
July 10-12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

MCCLENATHAN RELINQUISHES TOP SPOT IN DENVER

MORRISON, Colo. (July 11, 2009) - Cory McClenathan relinquished the top spot
he earned in Friday night's late qualifying session during the final
qualifying round today at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere
Speedway and settled for second place.

The 3.882-second elapsed time at 317.05 mph he set and held through the
third qualifying round was eclipsed by Antron Brown's 3.862/315.05. "Cory
Mac" posted a 4.003/357.14 in the third session and another solid
3.889/314.24 in his final attempt, giving him and the FRAM Tough Guard team
the knowledge and confidence that they had a good car for the race.

"Sometimes you have more pressure to win from the pole," said McClenathan.
"I'm actually very happy with the FRAM Tough Guard car. I think the guys
have done very well, we've run very well here on the hill, and we've run
very consistently.

"A couple of 4 flats and a couple of 3.88s; I think that's a good
combination. And everybody is going to be in the same predicament tomorrow
because we're racing at 12 noon. We haven't done that all weekend." Each of
the four qualifying rounds were held in early evening or at night.

"It's going to be warmer," added McClenathan, "but I think (crew chiefs)
Phil (Shuler) and Todd (Okuhara) know exactly how to back it up. But I do
think you'll see some surprises out there tomorrow, so it will be very
interesting. It will become a little bit more of a driver's game."

McClenathan faces Terry Haddock in the opening round of Sunday's
eliminations.

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