McClenathan goes to quarters at U.S. Nationals

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 18 of 24
55th annual U.S. Nationals
Raceway Park at Indianapolis
Sept. 4-7, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

MCCLENATHAN GOES TO QUARTERFINALS AT U.S. NATIONALS

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 7, 2009) - Cory McClenathan raced the FRAM Tough Guard
Top Fuel dragster to his ninth quarterfinal finish of the 2009 NHRA Full
Throttle Drag Racing Series at the 55th annual U.S. Nationals at Raceway
Park at Indianapolis.

"Cory Mac" first defeated David Grubnic in the opening round, with a
tire-smoking 4.421-second pass at 222.58 mph, then was dismissed by Brandon
Bernstein in the second round, posting a strong 3.899/303.71 to Bernstein's
3.887/313.73. McClenathan experienced a small explosion and ensuing fire in
the FRAM car at the end of that run.

³Itıs funny, because we never torch a head on this car," explained
McClenathan, who slipped to fifth in the point standings, behind Bernstein.
"It must have pushed a gasket out and got a little bit of oil underneath the
tires. 

"We were going to run a lot better than a 3.87. I thought we probably had
low ET of the round. I didnıt even see Brandon until the very end.

"It looked like we torched the head, pushed the head gasket out and shoved
some oil up in the driverıs compartment and then it started on fire. You
know, itıs one of those things. Weıre going to change the body a little bit
so it brings more air in the driverıs compartment.

"It was definitely more like a Funny Car fire than it was a Dragster fire.
It destroyed the suit, helmet, everything. Weıre still learning with this
new car. 

"Weıll go in the Countdown a little behind now because Brandon went around
us. Thatıs all right. Iıll put my FRAM Tough Guard guys up against anybody,
anytime, and 10 points isnıt going to matter in the Countdown, so Iım
looking forward to that.²

The Countdown to 1 playoffs begin at the next race, the second annual NHRA
Nationals in Charlotte, Sept. 18-20, for the final six events.

UNOFFICIAL TOP FUEL POINT STANDINGS, after 18 of 24 events (Countdown points
in parentheses):
1. Antron Brown, 1473 (2110)
2. Larry Dixon, 1343 (2080) - runner-up today
3. Tony Schumacher, 1311 (2070) - winner today
4. Brandon Bernstein, 1105 (2060)
5. Cory McClenathan, 1094 (2050)
6. Spencer Massey, 1051 (2040)
7. Morgan Lucas, 1035 (2030)
8. Shawn Langdon, 984 (2020)
9. Doug Kalitta, 798 (2010)
10. Clay Millican, 713 (2000)

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