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NHRA: McClenathan, Toliver quickest in first day of US National testing

24 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

CLERMONT, Ind. - Cory McClenathan was the quickest among Top Fuel competitors participating in the Raybestos U.S. Nationals Testing Tuesday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. NHRA Winston Drag Racing teams are utilizing the two-day test in preparation for the upcoming 46th annual U.S. Nationals, Aug. 30-Sept. 4. Testing continues Wednesday at 9 a.m.

The defending U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner covered the quarter-mile distance in 4.704 seconds at 316.45 mph in his Joe Gibbs-owned MBNA dragster to lead all drivers in the 6,000 horsepower category. Later in the day he demonstrated the consistency of Wes Cerny's tune-up by posting a nearly identical 4.707 at 315.01.

"The track conditions today we're a little tricky because it's hot and humid," said McClenathan, also a winner here in 1996. "A lot of the top guys out here have been struggling a little today. We're going to get after it and hopefully improve on those numbers. We always look forward to coming to Indy and testing helps get you in the groove. You can really salvage a season by winning this event, that's how important it is."

Current Winston points leader Gary Scelzi posted a 4.705 at 259.36, a run that was aborted just past the 1,000-foot mark.

Kenny Bernstein recorded the quickest 60-foot time for all Top Fuel competitors, an .847-second effort in his Bud King dragster.

Melanie Troxel, who will take over driving duties of the Exide Batteries dragster in her U.S. Nationals debut, recorded an eighth-mile run of 3.272 at 233.88 in her first trip down the racetrack in the Don Schumacher-owned machine. She posted an .883 60-foot time and drifted across the finish line at 5.574 at 164.02.

"That was a planned half-track run," Troxel said. "It's kinda neat to be able to get some laps in the car before the U.S. Nationals. This car has basically been rebuilt and we're putting some new parts on it. It should be ready to go next weekend."

Troxel's second pass for the day also was a half-track burst, a quicker 3.254 at 258.10. She coasted to the finish in 5.236 at 193.09. The Littleton, Colo. driver, a former Federal-Mogul Dragster national event winner, is extremely excited about her new opportunity.

"As a driver you couldn't ask for a better team and I feel fortunate to have been picked," Troxel said. "Obviously you couldn't pick a better race to make your debut than the U.S. Nationals and that puts a little more pressure on because of all the history and tradition surrounding the race. We're looking forward to it."

Troxel is one of three female Top Fuel entries for the world's most prestigious drag race. Three-time NHRA Winston Top Fuel champion Shirley Muldowney and FRAM dragster driver Rhonda Hartman-Smith also are entered. "I'm excited about the possibility of getting to race against Shirley,"

Troxel said. "Growing up, she was the one I really looked up to and her efforts in the sport really opened my eyes to the fact that this is something that I could do. I'm a big supporter of females in motorsports and it's going to be great to have her back."

Jerry Toliver was quickest among Funny Car drivers, recording the day's only four-second pass at 4.974 at 304.77 in the WWF Racing Pontiac Firebird.

Jim Epler, runner-up here last year, posted the second-quickest time in the other WWF Racing machine, clocking a 5.007 at 297.91.

John Force posted a best of 5.167 at 232.91 in three attempts in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. Force, a three-time U.S. Nationals winner, shut the car off just past 1,000 feet in his second quickest run, a 5.356 at 211.16 effort. Force teammate Tony Pedregon recorded a best of 5.138 at 297.93 in his Mustang.

Several other Funny Car drivers tried to navigate the track but lost traction. Whit Bazemore (.898); Bruce Sarver (.905); Scotty Cannon (.910); Gary Densham (.925) and Del Worsham (.933) posted competitive 60-foot times.

Mark Pawuk set the pace in Pro Stock, recording the day's only six-second run in his Summit Racing Pontiac Firebird. The Ohio-driver covered the distance in 6.993 at 195.86.

Ron Krisher also was among the quickest drivers, posting a 7.004 at 196.80. He was followed closely by the Steve Schmidt-owned Firebird driven by rookie Brad Jeter, who clocked a 7.005 at 196.93.

Defending Pro Stock winner Warren Johnson posted a best of 7.012 at 197.66 in his GM Goodwrench Pontiac Firebird. Tom Martino clocked a 7.013 at 197.36 in his Century 21 Pontiac Firebird, while Jim Yates recorded a best of 7.040 at 196.24 in his Splitfire/Peak Pontiac Firebird. Mark Osborne posted a 7.042 at 195.86 in his John Fairleigh owned Firebird and V. Gaines, a winner earlier in the season at the Texas Motorplex, produced a best of 7.019 at 196.37 in his Western Motorsports Camaro. George Marnell drove his Firebird to a 7.026 at 194.72.

In Pro Stock Truck, Rick Jones posted the best effort of the day, recording a 7.642 at 176.22 in a GMC Sonoma, followed closely by fellow Sonoma driver David Spitzer, who posted a 7.665 at 176.09. Winston points challenger Randy Daniels clocked a 7.667 at 176.74 in a Chevy S-10. Larry Kopp, the '98 winner at this event, posted a best of 7.685 at 174.68 in his Speedco Chevy S-10. Rob Slavinski ran 7.681 at 175.57 in his Castrol Super Clean S-10.

Rookie Scott Cannon, son of Funny Car driver Scotty Cannon, made the only Pro Stock Motorcycle runs of the day, recording a best of 7.495 at 176.02 on his Oakley Suzuki.

Text provided by Anthony Vestal

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