Scott Griffin names new crew chief

Cerny Out as Scott Griffin Shakes Up FRAM Top Fuel Team Going into FRAM Autolite Nationals

With Cory McClenathan 10th in points and his FRAM Top Fuel team struggling, team owner Scott Griffin has released veteran tuner Wes Cerny and turned over tuning duties to longtime assistant crew chief Tony Shortall as his team readies for its most important event of the season, the FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway this weekend.

"We needed to shake things up," said Griffin. "We just weren't making the progress in the points that I had hoped. I just felt that it was time to make a move. Tony has been with the team a long time, and this is his chance to shine. The Sonoma race is an important one for our team.

"We are bringing in veteran tuner Rahn Tobler to work as a consultant with Tony for this race."

McClenathan is 70 points out of the eighth place with the first cut of NHRA's Countdown to the Championship looming in three races. He was runner-up at St. Louis in May but has won only two rounds in seven races since then.

"My parting with Wes was very amicable, and I wish him the best of luck," said Griffin.

-credit: sgm