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Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan honored as first Texas Motorplex Legend

Three-time Texas Motorplex Top Fuel winner and 34-time Top Fuel NHRA national event winner Cory McClenathan was honored as the first recipient of the Texas Motorplex Legend award during the pre-race ceremony at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals.
20 Oct 2019
Posted by NHRA.com staff
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Cory McClenathan

Three-time Texas Motorplex Top Fuel winner and 34-time Top Fuel NHRA national event winner Cory McClenathan was honored as the first recipient of the Texas Motorplex Legend award during the pre-race ceremony at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals 

McClenathan who announced he will race the final three NHRA Mello Yello Series national events of the 2019 season and then retire last appeared at the FallNationals in 2018. He has 18 starts, two No. 1 qualifiers, five finals, three wins and 32-15 record at the NHRA super-track located just south of Dallas. McClenathan 

Most notably McClenathan was the first driver to exceed 320 mph when his McDonald’s sponsored Top Fuel dragster blazed down the all-concrete track at a speed of 321.77 mph in 1997. That run was voted the Top 5 all-time Motorplex Moment. Ironically, McClenathan is recognized in the No. 9 all-time Motorplex Moment which was Don Prudhomme’s last professional victory as a driver. McClenathan was in the opposite lane against Prudhomme during that race in 1994.

WATCH: Cory McClenathan talks about retirement 'tour,' reflects on successful career

“Cory McClenathan is a big part of the record setting history of Texas Motorplex and the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals,” said Andy Carter, Texas Motorplex General Manager. “We are thrilled he is closing out his amazing career with another race in Ennis. We are honored to recognize him as the first Texas Motorplex Legend award recipient. We will have a special presentation for him during opening ceremonies and he will forever be recognized in the Texas Motorplex Champion’s Club.”

“When the track called about this award I was blown away. The Texas Motorplex has always held a special place in my heart. I have to thank Dexter Tuttle for giving me this chance to race these last three races. I can remember that 321 mph pass like it was yesterday. We went on to win that race and it was an amazing weekend. Thank you to Billy Meyer, Andy Carter and all the fans across the years that came out to support me at the Texas Motorplex. This is just a really cool honor.”

Mechanical problems kept McClenathan from qualifying at the event but he’ll be back in action in two weeks in Las Vegas.