Cory McClenathan knows how to win in the NHRA ranks.

McClenathan has won 34 Top Fuel national events in 65 final rounds and qualified No. 1 an incredible 38 times. Yet he had not won since the 2010 season while driving for Don Schumacher Racing.

That changed on April 2.

McClenathan won the Legends Funny Car title over an eight-car field of Nostalgia Funny Cars at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

“God. You know, it really all came together,” McClenathan said. “I’ve been trying to drive this car without making mistakes. It is a fully everything manual, with nothing on a computer, a grid, or anything else.

“13 years. I’ve raced a couple of races, but I’ve not gotten to that extent. So that definitely helps, and it’s a definite big deal for me. I’m very excited about it. Yeah, it was just like normal. Like, ‘Wow. We get to win. Holy crap.”

“I was just as excited inside, and of course, I jumped right out and jumped on top of the back of the body and stood up. I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve never done this in a Funny Car.’”

McClenathan was behind the wheel of the Rick Akers-owned Camaro, painted in McClenathan’s trademark blue and black-and-white checkered Mac Attack colors and tuned by nitro veteran Glenn Mikres. The 60-year-old vet defeated Bill Windham on a first-round holeshot, then took down Billy Morris and Tim Boychuk for the win.

“The challenges, as a driver, are definitely there, which I love,” McClenathan said. “So, it took me a little bit longer to get comfortable, but now that I see I’m getting comfortable... And Glen, the guy’s doing a great job with the car. I’m really excited. I mean, these things are no joke, let me tell you.”

This season marks the first full one driving for Akers.

“He’s been out there for nine years or so, something like that. Just hasn’t really had the luck he wanted or,” McClenathan said. “I think between him and the guy they brought in, Glenn Mikres. Glen and I had known each other for a long time, so obviously, Glen called me right away and said, ‘Hey, Rick’s talking about you on this thing. What do you think?’ And to me, it’s a whole new deal.

“But I was up for it. And last year was a learning experience. I mean, I’m still making mistakes now. Obviously, I’m harder on myself than other people would be, but at the same time, I know what it takes to win. And that was the biggest thing. And putting Rick in the winner’s circle after all the troubles he’s had over the 10-year span, basically, just really great.

Then, to do it at home. And to me, at my age, at 60, I was just thrilled that my mom was able to get the computer up, and get it on her TV, and watch the show, and watch what Fox gave us. We really appreciate that. So, when I was 30, I may not have thought that way, but as I get older, things like that are really special.

McClenathan has plenty of success behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster, but Funny Car is a different story.

“No, I had a Funny Car way back in the day. I had it for a couple of years,” McClenathan said. “It was certainly much different—nothing like this, but at the same time, with a big turbo motor in it. But I mean, we’re only talking 7.60s versus this. This I can see where this could get you kind of ready to get into, let’s say, the big brother car, which is what I really want, to be able to get into a real one.

“Yeah, a big show car, and see if I can do it, and all that good stuff. I mean, I am older, my reflexes are not as good as they used to be, and I’m a realist. So, if it’s one of those things where it’s like, you know what? Guys, I can’t do this. I’m going to be the first one to step up and say that. Exactly. Because I care about my competitors, the guys next to me, and myself, obviously.”

McClenathan acknowledged seeing the win lights in Akers’ Funny Car was a moment he had been waiting for for a long time.

“It was just winning,” McClenathan said. “I mean, it was a big deal. It was something I’ve been chasing. It’s one more Wally in my trophy area and one more towards NHRA, and that’s a big deal. So, I’m really happy that I was able to get a good car underneath me, thanks to Glenn, and get out there and show that I could still do it. That was the biggest thing for me.

“All that stuff comes back into play, and it happens pretty seamlessly. But at the same time, I was very excited and very excited for Rick Akers, the owner. He has been doing this for a long time, as you well know. And he’s not had a lot of success type of deal, and he picked me to drive this car, so it just feels good to give him that Wally.”

The next NHRA Nostalgia race is May 6-7 in Boise, Idaho, but Cory Mac and his team have a conflict and will not be there. He’s expecting to be at the Nostalgia race on June 15-17 in Bowling Green, Ky. In addition to Akers’ Funny Car, Cory Mac also is doing all types of other racing.

“I’m driving Larry Minor’s sand car that he sold to his son Chris,” McClenathan said. “Oh, yeah. I’ve driven it off and on for the past seven, six years, something like that.”

Cory also races off-road in a Pro Buggy he purchased.

“Yeah, I bought a pro buggy to get something where it was less to take care of and a little bit easier for me to do on my own, so to speak,” McClenathan said. “I have no testing time, so I’m getting my a** handed to me like normal, but still enjoy it, still want to do it.”

McClenathan will compete in his Pro Buggy at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., April 22-23.

“I’m in the back chasing the other kids. I just haven’t had time to test it, and I really got to get where I’m confident, that type of deal,” McClenathan explained. “I got a good car. I’m really happy with that.”

McClenathan admitted he could not quit racing as it is part of his DNA.

“I don’t think I’ll ever going to say retire again, period, no matter what. It’s just there. I mean, if there was a ride in a fuel car, I’d be in it right now,” McClenathan said. “It’s just not money convenient, let’s put it that way. Right now. It’s hard to chase that big dollar.