McClenathan out; Schumacher, Dixon advance to NHRA top fuel semis

Cory McClenathan had an outside chance of winning the National Hot Rod Assn. top fuel championship.

He was officially eliminated from championship contention when Tony Schumacher won his second-round race against Morgan Lucas at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona.

Schumacher, the leader in the top fuel standings, advanced to the semifinals of the NHRA season finale. He will face Antron Brown in that round.

In head-to-head competition, Brown has a 5-2 advantage over Schumacher.

Larry Dixon, in second place in the top fuel standings, two points behind Schumacher, won his second-round race by 0.014 second over McClenathan.

Dixon will face Spencer Massey in the semifinals.

-- Tim Haddock

Photo: Tony Schumacher won his second-round race and moved into the NHRA top fuel semifinals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. Credit: NHRA