Big Mac Racing's Daniel McClelland and Greg Ventura Get it Done at Fontana Summit Series

Greg Ventura says his goals for 2011 are to make the Summit E.T. Series Race of Champions as well, and to finish in the top three in the Southern California Pro Gas Association, and to win a NHRA National Event.
Greg Ventura says his goals for 2011 are to make the Summit E.T. Series Race of Champions as well, and to finish in the top three in the Southern California Pro Gas Association, and to win a NHRA National Event.
Big Mac Racing rolled into the race at the Fontana Summit Series and both Daniel McClelland and Greg Ventura came away with wins. The McClelland family has been racing under the Big Mac Racing family name since 1974. "My dad, Dave McClelland, and I started this team when we brought out the first 'Tuna Tank' which was a Fiat Topolino B/Altered car," explained Kevin, Daniel's dad. "This was a quick car for its time, running in the low nine second range, and it gave me the driving skills that I use to this day. Guess that's why I've always raced roadsters and door cars."
Big Mac Racing's Daniel McClelland got a big win and semi final finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.
Big Mac Racing's Daniel McClelland got a big win and semi final finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.


Kevin McClelland is a Sr. Special Project Manager at K&N Engineering. "I've been with K&N for about two-and-half years," says Kevin. "At K&N I have a wide range of responsibilities which run from product development for our O.E. business, new business development, to marketing and operations support."

It was Kevin's son Daniel driving the Big Mac Racing wagon for the win and semi final finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

"That weekend was a better result than I could have hoped for," Kevin told K&N Race News. "These two races put me in a solid third place in the points standings. With four races left to go, it's nice to have a first place finish in sight. To succeed in drag racing you really have to have your head in the game, and it can be pretty tough to bounce back after a poor result. I feel like I've got great momentum going into the next race."

Daniel raced a 1980 Malibu wagon built specially to race in two different classes. Last season the team focused on the NHRA Stock Eliminator category, running a 305 sbc (small block) and turbo 350 transmission combination. Says Daniel, "It's a bit slower due to class rules, and it requires a different skill-set to drive. During the off season we swapped engines to our faster and more consistent 350 lt4 with Powerglide transmission. With this drivetrain package the car is deadly consistent and a blast to drive."

Greg Ventura, who generally drives his 1966 Nova in the NHRA Super Gas class, earned a big win the Super Pro on Saturday. "Daniel and I had been pressuring him to come out and race with the Summit Series crowd," Kevin said. "Boy after this weekend he's sure happy that he did. He was on track to double up as he had won on Saturday, and carried his winning streak all the way to the final round on Sunday. He also moved up to second place in points with his dominating weekend."

Race News has reported on Kevin Ventura in the past, he works as a Material Lifecycle Analyst for K&N. The Summit E.T. Series at the Auto Club Speedway was Ventura's first race of the 2011 season.

Daniel says his goals for this year are, "The Summit ET Finals are located here in Fontana California this year. With the track just five miles from my house my main goal is to qualify for the Race of Champions this year at the ET finals. That requires a top four finish in points at the end of the season, and with my current points standings I feel confident I can reach that goal."

"My goal is one in the same with Daniel's," continues Kevin. "I'm currently in ninth places in the Super Pro class and in my Super Gas Roadster. With four more races to go in the series I need strong finishes to move to the top four. My goal is for Daniel and me to both be in the Race of Champions and win. There would be nothing better if we were to represent Division 7 at the NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona against the best in the country!"

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