Team Valvoline Top Fuel Pilot McClenathan Wins in Charlotte; Takes Over Points Lead
Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2009) -- Team Valvoline Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan is off and running in the NHRA Countdown to 1, winning the opening round of the playoffs with an impressive performance in Sunday's Carolina Nationals in Charlotte.
The Southern California native, who competes for Don Schumacher Racing, took over the Top Fuel points lead. He defeated Shawn Langdon in the final round with a 3.857-second run at 312.64 miles per hour. Langdon ran a 3.980 at 280.49
The win was McClenathan's 31st of his career and the first since winning at Las Vegas in April 2008. It was also the 134th career victory for Don Schumacher Racing.
"You feel bigger than life sometimes and those are the moments I cherish the most," said McClenathan. "You're going down through there and you want that win light to come on so bad, you're almost willing your car to the other end, and when it did today, I was just overcome with Oh, my God, it's been so long.
"Going a year and a half without winning a race, that's a long time. My teammate (six-time world champion Tony Schumacher) wins all the time, so it's easy for him to say, but for me it is that very moment, right then. It's unbelievable."
Also having a strong performance for Team Valvoline was Funny Car pilot Matt Hagan, who was runner-up to Robert Hight. Driving the Valvoline Engine Guarantee/shelor.com Dodge, Hagan recorded a final round time and speed of 4.103 at 308.07. Hight's winning run was 4.097 at 307.02.
The next race for the NHRA Full Throttle Series is Sunday (Sept. 27) at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.
NHRA Full Throttle Series
Sept. 20
Carolina Nationals
Charlotte, N.C.
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: T2nd
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 6th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 4th
Matt Hagan, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 12th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 9th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 9th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 6th
Next NHRA Event
Sept. 27
NHRA Fall Nationals
Texas Motorplex
Ennis, Texas
