Dropped Cylinder Sends Cory Mac to First-Round Finish

LAS VEGAS - Cory McClenathan needed the engine to run on all eight cylinders if the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM Boost Top Fuel dragster was going to get past the opening round of the ACDelco Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday.

But one cylinder quit early and that enabled newcomer Steve Torrence to turn on the win light first as Cory Mac's car slowed to 4.632 seconds at 320.06 mph to Torrence's 4.609 at 321.12 mph.

'That was very disappointing for all of us," said McClenathan, who won two weeks ago at Richmond, Va. "There were some positives to come out of it though. Wes (Cerny, crew chief) and Tony (Shortall, assistant crew chief) were able to try some new parts during qualifying and they were pleased with the results. We're trying to get a head start on 2007 so we'll be ready to go when testing begins in January.

"But we are looking forward to finishing our season a good note at Pomona."

McClenathan is ninth in POWERade points with 1004 and the team plans to solidify a place in the top 10 at the season-ending Auto Club Finals at Pomona, Calif., Nov. 9-12.