TOP FUEL AT BRISTOL NASCAR

Team JEGS Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan and reigning Auto Club Rookie of the Year J.R. Todd will provide NASCAR fans attending this Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway a whopping 14,000 horsepower in surround sound when they simultaneously fire up their dragsters during prerace ceremonies.

The display of NHRA firepower is designed to generate interest for the upcoming seventh annual O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, which runs from May 18-20 at Bristol Dragway.
Team JEGS Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan and reigning Auto Club Rookie of the Year J.R. Todd will provide NASCAR fans attending this Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway a whopping 14,000 horsepower in surround sound when they simultaneously fire up their dragsters during prerace ceremonies.

The display of NHRA firepower is designed to generate interest for the upcoming seventh annual O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, which runs from May 18-20 at Bristol Dragway.

McClenathan will use the appearance to unveil his new JEGS.com one-piece body that he'll use in competition during the Bristol drag race.

"This is going to be a blast," McClenathan said. "My team owners Mark and Andy Carrier were raised in Thunder Valley because their dad built the place so I know this is a special time for them. I think we're all thrilled to have this chance to show off our sport to the huge NASCAR crowd that always fills that stadium up.

"It'll be cool to see this new JEGS body on the racecar. We've got a great relationship with the Coughlin brothers and they're always great about helping us promote our Prestone line of products as well as our Fram colors.

"I'm sure hoping this new body changes up my luck in Bristol. The last time I was there I had a weekend I'd just as soon forget."

McClenathan can't escape the wild ride he took at last year's O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals when his car came apart at high speed. After all, it's part of the lead-in footage of every NHRA event on ESPN2.

"I've had the privilege of meeting several NASCAR drivers over the years, especially when I drove for Joe Gibbs," McClenathan said. "They always used to ask me if we could switch rides for the day. I'm sure they've all seen that wreck on TV. Maybe now they won't want to switch any more.

"I know we have a special promotion through JEGS with Kenny Wallace where he'll be firing up our car in the pits during our event in Bristol. I'll get reacquainted with him this weekend, which is something I'm looking forward to for sure.

"This year, Kenny and I will be wearing several different helmets that will be auctioned off for the JEGS Foundation Racing for Cancer Research, yet another very cool thing we're doing together.

"The best thing is I get to go to a race and just enjoy myself."
Categories: