STEWART JOINS CARRIER BOYZ
Tue, 2007-04-10 08:11
In 15 full seasons of Top Fuel competition, Cory McClenathan has not paid much
attention to his position in NHRA POWERade Series points this early in the
season. Until now.
NHRA’s implementation of its new Countdown to the Championship formula hasn’t altered the number of points or how they are awarded. What it did was put a premium on points earned in the first 17 races, a.k.a. Countdown to Eight. The top eight have their title hopes extended another four races. Then four more exit to set the stage for the final four to figure it out in the last two events. In 15 full seasons of Top Fuel competition, Cory McClenathan has not paid much attention to his position in NHRA POWERade Series points this early in the season. Until now.
NHRA’s implementation of its new Countdown to the Championship formula hasn’t altered the number of points or how they are awarded. What it did was put a premium on points earned in the first 17 races, a.k.a. Countdown to Eight. The top eight have their title hopes extended another four races. Then four more exit to set the stage for the final four to figure it out in the last two events.
And, as he heads into the fifth of those 17 races – the Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 13-15 – McClenathan says simply: “We need to start winning rounds on Sunday. It’s important that we get into the top eight as soon as possible.”
The driver of the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM Top Fuel dragster comes to town three places out of eighth. He’s only four points shy of the top 10, but that won’t make any difference when it comes to the sprint for the big trophy and check.
In an effort to pick up the car’s performance, the Carriers – Andy and Mark – are bringing in respected clutch expert John Stewart for this race.
“This will give Wes Cerny (crew chief) and Tony Shortall (assistant crew chief) another set of eyes,” McClenathan added. “Wes and Tony have a good combination but they have some issues in the clutch area. Stewart has a lot of experience working in the bell housing. I think he can help us run more consistently. And when we do that, we will start winning more rounds.
“Stewie is a good friend of mine. I asked if he would come and help us this weekend and he agreed.”
McClenathan’s best showing at The Strip is runner-up in 2002.
“This is one of the best tracks we run,” he said. “It would be great to put our FRAM car in the winner’s circle Sunday.”
NHRA’s implementation of its new Countdown to the Championship formula hasn’t altered the number of points or how they are awarded. What it did was put a premium on points earned in the first 17 races, a.k.a. Countdown to Eight. The top eight have their title hopes extended another four races. Then four more exit to set the stage for the final four to figure it out in the last two events. In 15 full seasons of Top Fuel competition, Cory McClenathan has not paid much attention to his position in NHRA POWERade Series points this early in the season. Until now.
NHRA’s implementation of its new Countdown to the Championship formula hasn’t altered the number of points or how they are awarded. What it did was put a premium on points earned in the first 17 races, a.k.a. Countdown to Eight. The top eight have their title hopes extended another four races. Then four more exit to set the stage for the final four to figure it out in the last two events.
And, as he heads into the fifth of those 17 races – the Summitracing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, April 13-15 – McClenathan says simply: “We need to start winning rounds on Sunday. It’s important that we get into the top eight as soon as possible.”
The driver of the Carrier Boyz Racing FRAM Top Fuel dragster comes to town three places out of eighth. He’s only four points shy of the top 10, but that won’t make any difference when it comes to the sprint for the big trophy and check.
In an effort to pick up the car’s performance, the Carriers – Andy and Mark – are bringing in respected clutch expert John Stewart for this race.
“This will give Wes Cerny (crew chief) and Tony Shortall (assistant crew chief) another set of eyes,” McClenathan added. “Wes and Tony have a good combination but they have some issues in the clutch area. Stewart has a lot of experience working in the bell housing. I think he can help us run more consistently. And when we do that, we will start winning more rounds.
“Stewie is a good friend of mine. I asked if he would come and help us this weekend and he agreed.”
McClenathan’s best showing at The Strip is runner-up in 2002.
“This is one of the best tracks we run,” he said. “It would be great to put our FRAM car in the winner’s circle Sunday.”
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