McClenathan worked hard and smart to give brothers Mark and Andy Carrier their first win since investing in an NHRA program and driver Andrew Cowin more than a year ago.

"The track was very tricky, and it was hot out there," McClenathan said. "We were about the only car getting down the track. I knew we could reel it in and run in the mid-(4.)60s. I did not think we could run in the .50s. We didn't even try to. We let the other car make mistakes."

The strategy helped lift McClenathan from seventh to fourth in the POWERade points chase. And it made him the only Top Fuel driver other than Brandon and Kenny Bernstein or Tony Schumacher to win since August 17. The Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster and the U.S. Army Dragster had dominated the class for the previous 13 races.

The feat was even more remarkable, considering crew chief Todd Smith has been on board for only four races. "All along, he was the guy I thought could do the job. He proved today he can do the job," McClenathan said. "We do better every single race we go to, and this is the payoff. It's just an awesome payoff." "Cory Mac and those guys did a great job," Millican said. "I thought we had a good chance at winning in the finals, and we put down a good run. . . . I was disappointed to see the win light come on in the wrong lane. I really thought today was going to be our day."

Ron Lewis photo

Still, the Tennessean moved up in the standings from ninth to sixth, particularly impressive because he has raced in just five of the seven events this year. He plans to compete in at least eight NHRA races, while running a full IHRA schedule.

Meanwhile, Cory Mac wasn't the only one nagged by doubts. So was three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Savoie. "I really started to believe that black Army bike was not going to make it to the winner's circle," she said following her $7,500 victory, her first under the Don Schumacher Racing banner.

Ron Lewis photo

Like McClenathan, she had come to expect upheaval in racing relationships. But she had defied all the odds before and, at least in public, hardly seemed to miss a beat through it all. Savoie, like McClenathan, had soldiered on through disappointment. She went through too many changes of command befitting a three-time champion. But she always seemed to win a battle or two right away for her new sponsors.

She had recaptured her championship-days form, leading the Pro Stock Bike field and getting consistent 7.1-second passes from her U.S. Army-sponsored Suzuki GSXR, setting low e.t. and winning. Still, she couldn't shake her uncertainty until she had eliminated Josh Helvie, teammate Antron Brown, Harley-Davidson semifinalist G.T. Tonglet and finalist Shawn Gann. When qualifying closed Saturday, she wasn't convinced she was back on top of her game. "Personally, I really needed this performance for my confidence. I was beginning to wonder if I had lost my edge," the New Orleans-area native said.