McClenathan secures fifth place in Phoenix qualifying

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2010 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 2 of 23
26th annual NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
Feb. 19-21, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

MCCLENATHAN SECURES FIFTH PLACE IN PHOENIX QUALIFYING

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 20, 2010) - With only three of four qualifying runs
completed because of rain on Saturday, Cory McClenathan secured the No. 5
position, driving the FRAM Top Fuel Dragster at the 26th annual NHRA Arizona
Nationals.

He recorded his quickest pass of 3.841 seconds at 310.63 mph in Friday
night's second session, held under the lights and in cool conditions. His
other laps were a 5.058/136.50 (No. 7), and a 3.888/300.33 in his final
attempt.

"We did OK," said McClenathan, who was No. 1 qualifier at the season-opening
event last weekend in Pomona, Calif., and reached the semifinal round. "The
FRAM car is still running good. We're just a win waiting to happen."

A second rain shower delayed the completion of the Funny Car round, which
followed Top Fuel. "It's a little tough for the fans," said McClenathan.
"They came out here to see some action. But it didn't rain all day, so they
got to see one good Top Fuel run, and they got to see two good runs
yesterday, especially when the second session turned out to be a night
session. That is always cool for the fans.

"It's a little hard on us, though, because it's a little tough to see
sometimes, when it gets dark out there. At the same time, I think the crowd
definitely got their money's worth.

"We'll be OK. We're qualified good enough to go out there and go toe to toe
with anybody."

McClenathan, third in the point standings entering this event, faces Mike
Strasburg in the opening round of Sunday's eliminations.

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