Cory McClenathan spent the majority of his weekend during the Auto Club NHRA Finals focused on an overwhelming task.

The Top Fuel driver, who was released from his duties as driver of the FRAM dragster, wasn’t so much focused on overtaking Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher in the championship points standings as he was ensuring that none of his acquired trinkets were left behind as he made his way back home to La Habra, Ca.

“You gather a lot of stuff over the years,” McClenathan said with a smile. 

It’s hard to ignore the disappointment in his eyes as he puts the acquired belongings from fans into his duffel bag. However, he’s at peace with the decision handed down by his sponsor Honeywell and administered by team owner Don Schumacher.

McClenathan understands he’s the unfortunate victim of a change in marketing strategy. The reality has hit him that a younger driver is in the game plan with intentions to gain a youthful market share for FRAM.

 

Cory McClenathan spent the majority of his weekend during the Auto Club NHRA Finals focused on an overwhelming task.

The Top Fuel driver, who was released from his duties as driver of the FRAM dragster, wasn’t so much focused on overtaking Larry Dixon and Tony Schumacher in the championship points standings as he was ensuring that none of his acquired trinkets were left behind as he made his way back home to La Habra, Ca.

“You gather a lot of stuff over the years,” McClenathan said with a smile. 

It’s hard to ignore the disappointment in his eyes as he puts the acquired belongings from fans into his duffel bag. However, he’s at peace with the decision handed down by his sponsor Honeywell and administered by team owner Don Schumacher.

McClenathan understands he’s the unfortunate victim of a change in marketing strategy. The reality has hit him that a younger driver is in the game plan with intentions to gain a youthful market share for FRAM.

McClenathan laughs at the irony of “what comes around; goes around”.

Sixteen years ago the youthful McClenathan, an up and coming driver in the ranks, replaced a dyed-in-the-wool veteran Ed “The Ace” McCulloch as the driver of the McDonalds Top Fuel dragster for Larry Minor. The veteran McCulloch would never drive again in competition.

Ironic, maybe … but clearly not the same McClenathan points out. It’s an apples-to-oranges comparison with the same end result.

McClenathan was taken aback by the way McCulloch took the news of his replacement. He can only hope his interaction with the new driver will be the same, whether it is one of the rumored favorites Spencer Massey or Steve Torrence.

“(McCulloch) was really good about it because he knew the decision wasn’t mine,” McClenathan explained. “He knew I never called Larry Minor to look for the job. Nowadays you have as many as ten drivers trying to pry you out of your seat. I’ve always tried to keep that outlook and never steal anyone’s ride or sponsorship.”

McClenathan remembers his first and most important interaction with Minor.

“I was standing at the ropes signing autographs, when Larry Minor walked up,” recalled McClenathan. “I knew who he was although we’d never really talked, and he just asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to continue driving.”

Minor was fielding two Top Fuel dragsters at the time, one full-time driven by Ed “The Ace” McCulloch and a part-time effort fielded for up and coming nitro racer Tony Pedregon.

McClenathan figured Minor was making plans for his second dragster. The reality was that Minor planned to consolidate his two dragsters into one.

“My first thought was that Ed was going to kill me,” McClenathan admitted. “It was, the opportunity of a lifetime. This was the opportunity I’d dreamed of since childhood, getting paid to drive a race car.”

Even though he was absolved of any underhanded dealings, McClenathan admits he bore a measure of guilt.

“It was really hard because I loved racing against him – he was heads up and a passionate racer,” McClenathan said. “I had pictures of us racing, with my Mac Attack car; that he signed for me.”

Further compounding the situation was the fact McCulloch signed the photo, “You’ve been tough … Ed McCulloch.”

The one thing McClenathan knows is exactly how his predecessor felt at the moment of revelation.

“It’s jaw dropping, no matter how prepared you think you are for it,” McClenathan said. “They presented it to me that they wanted to go in a different marketing direction. It wasn’t a matter of they didn’t think I had what it took to win anymore. We’ve certainly proven that’s not the case. When it happens, you realize you worked hard to make all of this happen. But, one person is not a team.”

McClenathan counts his blessings that even though he’s out of a driving job, he’ll still be involved with DSR, confirming he will remain on a personal services contract for DSR and FRAM.

“We’re working together and if we bring in a new sponsor, we’ll field another car,” McClenathan explained. “It could be a Funny Car or Top Fueler. I have to say that I don’t know the answer.”

Part of his newly defined duties will be in working as a driver “advocate”.

“Part of my offer to Don was to work with the incoming driver and the existing drivers on the team,” said McClenathan. “I certainly have a lot of experience. There’s always things I can see from the outside, they can’t see from the inside. I don’t want to be a coach, so to speak. I just want to be a driver’s advocate.

“A young driver is going to come in to do the job and he’s going to have to step up to do the job right. There’s a lot of pressure in here. I don’t think young drivers realize until they get behind the wheel with the backing and the team owner. You’re expected to win. I will do my best to do the best job I can.”

The question remains to be answered. When the new driver comes in, will McClenathan extend his hand for a greeting as McCulloch did or keep his arms folded until the replacement proves worthy of his former championship-contending seat?

“Whoever is getting my seat was someone who tried to get me out of my seat, they weren’t approached by someone,” contends McClenathan. “There’s a difference. When I got into McCulloch’s seat I wasn’t trying to go around his back and get his seat. There’s a big difference.

“I have to be a stand-up guy and extend my hand. If it doesn’t go down smoothly, I will back up. At the same time, I’ve got to be the bigger person. I’m 47 years old, not 20-something and full of piss and vinegar any more. If I can help Don and Fram win a championship with a younger driver, that’s what I am going to do.” 

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