Championship Drag Racing

Pontiac Performance NHRA Nationals
Columbus, OH
(May 18-21)

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Cory McClenathan Rapisarda Racing

Columbus, prerace: Carrier Boyz Racing and Jeg’s Mail Order -- two names synonymous with NHRA drag racing -- are uniting for this weekend's 42nd annual Pontiac Performance Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at National Trail Raceway.

Cory McClenathan will drive a special Carrier Boyz Racing Fram Boost Top Fuel dragster colored with the distinctive yellow and black paint scheme of Jeg's for this event only. This is the first time since 1981 that a yellow and black Jeg’s Top Fuel car has competed at National Trail Raceway.

Jeg Coughlin Sr., founder of Delaware, Ohio-based Jeg’s Automotive, had Billy Williams behind the wheel of a Jeg’s Top Fuel dragster 25 years ago for the NHRA Spring Nationals at his home track. Williams qualified No. 1 at the event.

Jeg’s is an associate sponsor of Carrier Boyz Racing. McClenathan will be wearing a Jeg’s Mail Order fire suit and custom-painted helmet. The crew will all be wearing Jeg’s crew shirts. All of the items will be auctioned off later, with all proceeds going to the Jeg’s Foundation “Racing for Cancer Research” efforts.

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“This is our first year with Jeg’s and our relationship is growing and growing,” said McClenathan, a veteran Top Fuel driver with 28 career victories, including one at National Trail Raceway in 1996. “Racing at Columbus and being in full Jeg’s Mail Order colors and racing for cancer research are very special to me. My daughter’s mother, Kim Hanson, has lymphoma, so I understand what cancer can do to a family.

“On the other side, I could not be doing this without the blessing of the people at Fram Boost and Honeywell. We are grateful to Jeff Bye, Steve LaVallee, and the people from Prestone, Autolite, and Bendix.

"I’m excited about this being the first Jeg’s Top Fuel car in 25 years. We want to do well at this race for Jeg Sr. and his sons, Jeg Jr., Mike, Troy, and John.”

McClenathan’s new-look dragster now has six runs on it and, if the last two are any indication, crew chief Wes Cerny and Tony Shortall, his assistant, are close to dialing in a very competitive race combination.

“Wes and the crew worked very hard getting our new car together after our accident and the car is responding to the tune-ups,” McClenathan said. “We just had our other car running good when the accident happened. I know it won’t take long for Wes and Tony to get it going.”

McClenathan qualified 10th with a 4.580 at 327.66 mph in Atlanta and went 4.561 at an impressive 330.39 mph during eliminations but lost to Tony Schumacher’s 4.448, the quickest run of the weekend.

“It felt good to relax at home a bit between races,” McClenathan said. “I’m excited to go racing again. I’m feeling much better. The soreness is about gone and I’ll be ready to go. I appreciate everything everyone has done for me since the accident. I had 149 e-mails waiting when I got home and the e-mails and phone calls keep coming in.

“National Trail is one track where I really haven’t done well. With Jeg’s on board and Mac Tools from the area, we’d sure like to get a win for them, along with all our other sponsors, too.”

While the Coughlin family built its mail order business and won many NHRA races in Pro Stock and Sportsman categories over the years, Mark and Andy’s father Larry founded IHRA and built the original Bristol Dragway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

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