Cory McClenathan Serves Notice
By Mike Perry - IHRA.com
NORWALK, Ohio - It did not take long for Cory McClenathan to announce his presence at the Skull Gear World Nationals presented by PPG. The NHRA Top Fuel driver, who came to Norwalk Raceway Park to take part in what is widely regarded as the most prestigious drag race of the season, dazzled the IHRA fans with a stunning run in the first qualifying session Friday afternoon. McClenathan (Bristol, Tenn.) broke both ends of the track record at Norwalk Raceway Park with a 4.630/323.43 to capture the provisional top qualifying spot after the first round.
McClenathan was not finished. After the other drivers took turns taking shots at McClenathan's afternoon time in the evening session, including Doug Foley (Sewell, N.J.) running a career-best 4.589, McClenathan again put himself on top with a 4.568/316.30 pass.
In Torco Pro Stock Steve Spiess (Manhattan, Ill.) continued what has been a dominating couple of months for him and his '05 Chevy Cobalt. Spiess took the provisional #1 qualifying spot with a 6.462, running the fastest Torco Pro Stock pass for the 30th straight IHRA qualifying or elimination session. Frank Gugliotta (Mt. Airy, Md.) grabbed the provisional #2 qualifying spot with a 6.465/214.31.
Jim Halsey (Street, Md.) jumped to the top of the Torco Pro Mod pack with a 6.16, nosing out two-time Ironman winner this season, Mike Castellana, who posted a 6.17 and Carl Spiering who checked in at 6.18.
In Funny Car Terry Munroe was the fastest car in both afternoon and evening sessions, claiming the provisional #1 qualifying post with a 5.786/232.07. Defending Hooters IHRA World Champion Rob Atchison (London, Ont.) overpowered the track in the morning session and was not in the provisional field. He was able to dial the car down a bit for the evening session and posted a 5.919/238.72 to slide into the #3 position.
The Skull Gear World Nationals presented by PPG Automotive Refinishing will continue Saturday morning, with sportsman qualifying continuing at 9 a.m. The first of two professional qualifying sessions is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eliminations in all classes will take place Sunday at Norwalk Raceway Park.
NORWALK, Ohio -- Results Friday after qualifying for the 28th annual Skull Gear World Nationals presented by PPG Automotive Refinish at Norwalk Raceway Park, ninth of 12 events in the 2005 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Cory McClenathan, 4.568 seconds, 323.43 mph; 2. Doug Foley, 4.589, 310.77; 3. T.J. Zizzo, 4.650, 312.93; 4. Bruce Litton, 4.686, 316.52; 5. Clay Millican, 4.711, 319.07; 6. Bobby Lagana Jr., 4.781, 311.34; 7. Dale Creasy Jr, 4.805, 289.26; 8. Louie Allison, 4.829, 298.27.
Pro Modified -- 1. Jim Halsey, Chevy Camaro, 6.165, 227.04; 2. Mike Castellana, Chevy Cavalier, 6.172, 230.02; 3. Carl Spiering, Chevy Corvette, 6.188, 230.76; 4. Dennis Radford, Corvette, 6.231, 225.60; 5. Scott Cannon, Studebaker, 6.236, 227.84; 6. Harold Martin, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.241, 225.79; 7. Mike Lockwood, Corvette, 6.249, 223.39; 8. Shannon Jenkins, Camaro, 6.250, 227.54; 9. Quain Stott, Corvette, 6.251, 230.17; 10. Burton Auxier, Corvette, 6.253, 223.36; 11. Billy Harper, Dodge Viper, 6.259, 224.70; 12. Steve Vick, Corvette, 6.261, 224.47; 13. Steve Bareman, Corvette, 6.267, 227.92; 14. Milt Decker, Corvette, 6.268, 224.55; 15. Steve Engel, Corvette, 6.271, 227.84; 16. Pat Moore, Corvette, 6.288, 221.16.
Funny Car -- 1. Terry Munroe, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.786, 232.35; 2. Jim Sickles, Monte Carlo, 5.883, 241.76; 3. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird, 5.919, 238.72; 4. Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.929, 240.04; 5. Melinda Green-King, Avenger, 5.940, 235.76; 6. Mike Comella, Chevy Corvette, 5.955, 235.93; 7. Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.957, 237.34; 8. Terry McMillen, Avenger, 5.962, 236.51.
Pro Stock -- 1. Steve Spiess, Chevy Cobalt, 6.462, 215.96; 2. Frank Gugliotta, Ford Escort, 6.465, 215.86; 3. Brian Gahm, Ford Mustang, 6.473, 214.79; 4. Tony Gillig, Mustang, 6.478, 212.39; 5. Daniel Seamon, Escort, 6.513, 214.11; 6. Pete Berner, Mustang, 6.515, 213.06; 7. Rick Jones, Cobalt, 6.522, 214.89; 8. Larry O'Brien, Dodge Stratus, 6.529, 213.06; 9. Ed Machacek, Chevy Cavalier, 6.534, 213.37; 10. John Nobile, Ford ZX2, 6.535, 214.38; 11. Jerry Haas, Cavalier, 6.536, 213.43; 12. John Montecalvo, Cobalt, 6.545, 213.33; 13. Doug Kirk, Mustang, 6.551, 213.81; 14. Bert Jackson, Cavalier, 6.576, 213.20; 15. John Konigshofer, Mercury Cougar, 6.579, 212.39; 16. Tommy Franklin, Cavalier, 6.590, 212.49.
