This is certainly unfamiliar territory for Cory McClenathan.

Cory Mac, with the exception of 2001, has been competing full-time on the NHRA’s Top Fuel circuit since 1991.

Presently, the standout driver is trying to put together a deal, part-time or full-time, so he can go racing again in 2011. The upcoming season begins Feb. 24-27 at the Winternationals in Pomona.

This is certainly unfamiliar territory for Cory McClenathan.

Cory Mac, with the exception of 2001, has been competing full-time on the NHRA’s Top Fuel circuit since 1991.

Presently, the standout driver is trying to put together a deal, part-time or full-time, so he can go racing again in 2011. The upcoming season begins Feb. 24-27 at the Winternationals in Pomona.

“I’m talking to a lot of people and nobody has said ‘yes’ and signed on the bottom line,” said McClenathan, who is based in Indianapolis. “I’ve been offered one job, and a couple of others have come up to run partial years. The biggest thing I have been concentrating on is putting a presentation together for myself. All the information and bio stuff is nice to have, but if you do not have a presentation to give companies, you’re kind of way behind. As a right now, I do have what I think is a good package to give people and I have sent a bunch out. A driving job is what I have always had and what I still want. I have unfinished business. I have no doubt that I do not want to walk away from a driving job, it’s just trying to find the right one. I really do plan on driving a car in the Winternationals.”

McClenathan has an impressive resume. He has finished second in the Top Fuel point standings four times in 1992, ’95, ’97 and ’98 and he was third in ’94, ’96, 2008, and this past season.

“The one (job) I’m getting close on right now is a car that has not won before, but I think with the right people and the right workings behind it, this car can go out there and qualify and run in the top 10,” McClenathan said. “I think that’s what I’m really after. The dream jobs of jumping in a car that’s going to be a championship contender right now are just not there. I’m not ready to release anything about the job I’m getting close on yet because I’m waiting for a phone call. I’m hoping to release something here soon, and I’m hoping to make some testing runs before we get to Pomona.”

McClenathan drove the Fram dragster for Don Schumacher Racing over the last three years.

“I do have some good prospects and there are some good companies that are taking a good look at drag racing,” McClenathan, 47, said. “I feel good about that, but those take time, especially if they have not been in drag racing before. Those would maybe be partial 2011 (deals), but really marked toward 2012. A lot of other people have said if I get something going, they want to know what it is because they want to be part of it. People like Honeywell and the folks at Fram want to try and help.”

McClenathan also has no hard feelings toward Don Schumacher. Spencer Massey is replacing Cory Mac in the DSR Top Fuel stable.

“Don has been great through this whole thing,” McClenathan said. “Don says if he gets something and a car opens up whether it’s a Funny Car or a Top Fuel car, I’m first on his list. I’m still working with Don. Don still has me on as a retainer to try and help, whether it is testing or working with the drivers or whatever the case may be. He knows he can call me and I will be there. We have kept a good working relationship, and we had a good friendship before this all started. Fram wanted to change the demographics, it was as simple as that. I do not think it was, ‘hey I did a bad job, and they decided to get rid of me type of thing.’ A lot of people took it the wrong way I think.”

McClenathan also says he is looking at all his driving options, not just Top Fuel.

“I want to make sure everybody knows that I’m not in any way shape or form looking at just Top Fuel,” McClenathan said. “I would get in a Funny Car. That would be a huge change and a certainly open up a whole new chapter in my life, but Funny Car has intrigued me quite a bit in my lifetime. After 20 years, in a Fuel car, I would not pass the opportunity up (to drive a Funny Car) for anything.”

Throughout his decorated career, Cory Mac has never raced in a Funny Car.

“I just did some test runs for Joe Gibbs in the Interstate Battery Funny Car that Cruz (Pedregon) was driving,” McClenathan said. “I think that was around 1995, ’96 or ’97, when I made those test runs, but I have never got to take a Funny Car from A to B and get my license, and that’s something I’m really looking at doing.”

McClenathan said no matter what unfolds in the coming days, he is going to be at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway’s inaugural Pro Winter Warm-up Feb. 4-5. Most teams are arriving at Palm Beach Raceway around Feb. 1.

“At least I will be down there kind of wandering around the DSR cars,” McClenathan said. “If I can work with Spencer (Massey), and help him make a little bit smoother transition. He has done well, and he and I have talked a few times. I’m hoping that things change and I’m down there (at Palm Beach) in a car somewhere. I’m just hoping for the best and we will see how it goes from here.”

 

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