Cory McClenathan is one of those “one door closes, another one opens” kind of guys. Just days after finding out that he had lost his expected Top Fuel ride for the 2013 season, a continuing part-time ride with Australian-based Rapisarda Racing, the four-time championship runner-up is eagerly looking toward the future and the chance to get back behind the wheel for a full-time team to continue his lifelong quest for a season championship.
“I had a great time racing with the team and enjoyed my time racing with the Santo Rapisarda family, including his sons, Santo Jr. and Santino, and [significant other] Christie Mokotupu the last two years, trying to help build their team into one that could get a sponsor, win rounds, and eventually run an entire season and contend for the championship. Now that the fit doesn’t seem to be there for me anymore, I’m looking forward to working towards returning to a full-time ride,” said McClenathan, who was racing with the team without benefit of a driver’s salary.
“As great as it was to continue to race, even on a part-time basis the last two years, and for which I am grateful to the team, I look forward to the next challenge. It’s time to move on.”
Although the Rapisarda team’s decision to go in a different direction came just five weeks before what would have been McClenathan’s 23rd year in fuel dragster competition, he remains optimistic about his future. Like any out-of-work driver, he faces the tough challenge of assembling funding to bring to a team, but he thinks his prolific career – 38 national event wins, 17 Ttp 10 finishes, and numerous national records – and his continuing friendly affiliation with Don Schumacher presents an attractive package for someone looking for an experienced driver who will bring something beyond dollars.
McClenathan’s last full-time ride was with Don Schumacher Racing in 2010, but, in a sponsor-based decision about which neither owner nor driver was happy, Schumacher released him at the end of the 2010 season. Despite the split, the two have remained close, and McClenathan was even allowed to use some proprietary DSR technology on the Rapisarda car.
“I can’t thank Don and DSR enough for all of the technology and help they’ve given me the last two years,” he said. “Guys like Don, Todd Okuhara, and Phil Shuler were a great help to me the last two years trying to get this thing going, and I look forward to continuing that relationship wherever I go.
“With all of the experience I have, I feel that I would be a great addition to any team out there,” he said. “In a way, the Rapisarda team’s decision was freeing because now I can focus my efforts on finding a new home in a championship-caliber car and pursuing the championship and working towards getting the sponsorship dollars that will help me get there. I think I have some unfinished business to take care of to win a championship, and I know that I have the experience, the skill, and the desire to do it.” (NHRA)
