Fast Facts

Cory McClenathan began his Top Fuel driving career over 25 years ago after getting his start drag racing high-performance Volkswagens. Since then has become one of the most popular and accomplished drivers on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing tour.

Since climbing behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster in 1991, Cory Mac has established himself as one of the best drivers the class has ever seen. He has amassed 28 victories in 50 final-round appearances, notching 400 career round wins, and competing in 330 races.

McClenathan has garnered a long list of performance milestones during his Top Fuel career. He was the first driver to break the 4.80-second elapsed time barrier with 4.799-second run at Reading, Pa., in 1992 and the was the first driver to eclipse the 320-mph barrier with a speed of 321.77-mph in Dallas in 1997. He has also won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis twice (1996 and 1999). In 1997, he set a record for the most consecutive wins (four) and most consecutive final round appearances (six), earning him a spot on the prestigious Car Craft Magazine All-Star Race team.

After competing in just one race in 1991, McClenathan put together a consistent string of 15 Top-10 finishes before finishing 16th in 2007. The 45-year-old veteran has been runner-up in the point standings four times (1992, 1995, 1997 and 1998).

McClenathan was introduced to drag racing by his father, Dick McClenathan, a former drag and off-road racer and partner in a high-performance shop dedicated to the VW trade. He began his drag racing career at the age of 16 winning the first two races he entered driving Volkswagen-powered vehicles.   

He began competing in Top Alcohol dragster in 1989, winning the first race he entered in Denver. After winning three more races in 1990, he made the transition to Top Fuel in 1991. He finished in the top 10 during his rookie season in Top Fuel, making his first career four-second run in Seattle.

During his career he has driven for many high-profile team owners such as Larry Minor, Joe Gibbs, Darrel Gwynn, Henkleman and Baca and brothers Andy and Mark Carrier.

In the 2008 season, McClenathan finished number three in the points, a huge turnaround from 2007 when he didn’t even make the Top 10. He scored a win in Las Vegas, and made three trips to the finals throughout the year. McClenathan will begin the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season driving the Fram Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. Still aggressively seeking his first NHRA championship, McClenathan is filled with a renewed confidence backed with the strong resources and commitment provided by the Don Schumacher Racing team.

Highlights of Cory McClenathan's Top Fuel career:

1991: Finished 10th in his rookie season in Top Fuel; Made first four-send pass

1992: First driver in NHRA history to run in the 4.70's with a 4.799 (Reading): Finished second in points by only 92 points by not competing at the race in Montreal; won two races in three finals

1993: Missed four races after suffering injuries as result of a crash at Rockingham Dragway and still finished sixth in points; Qualified No. 1 a career-best seven times

1994: Advanced to four finals including the last three races, winning at Topeka2; made transition from team owner/driver to just handling driving duties

1995: Won three races, including back-to back titles as Atlanta and Memphis

 

Fast Facts

Driver:	NHRA DRAG RACING SERIES
Class:	FRAM TOP FUEL DRAGSTER
Team Owner:	DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Date of Birth (Age):	January 30, 1963
Birthplace:	Wichita, Kan.
Current Residence:	Brownsburg, Indiana
Height/Weight:	5’7”/165 lbs.
Married:	Single
Children:	Courtney (10/25/90)