LAS VEGAS -- Piloting the FRAM Tough Guard Top Fuel Dragster, Cory McClenathan qualified No. 5 for the ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the penultimate race of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

McClenathan earned four bonus points during qualifying: one for his third-quickest pass of 3.860 seconds at 315.86 mph in the first session; one for his third-quickest effort of 3.862/318.47 in the third round; and two for his second-quickest run, and his best of the weekend, of 3.841/315.42 in his final attempt. His Friday night pass, in cool conditions, produced a tire-smoking 11.886/66.92.

"We're happy with that, it ran good," he said of his final pass. "We had some engine damage, so we're going to have to look at that and see what the problem is. In all reality, the FRAM Tough Guard car has run a couple of .86s and an .84. It's a good bracket car. I'll go into race day with that any time."

Third in Countdown to 1 playoffs point standings, McClenathan faces non-Countdowner David Grubnic in the opening round of Sunday's eliminations. He and his Don Schumacher Racing teammate and points leader Tony Schumacher are on the same side of the ladder and could meet in the second round. No. 1 qualifier and second-in-points Larry Dixon is also on the same side of the ladder.