Cory McClenathan and Robert Hight shot up the playoff rankings by winning their first races of 2009 yesterday at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway. McClenathan won Top Fuel with a pass of 3.857 seconds at 312.64 mph to beat rookie Shawn Langdon and take over first place in the Countdown to 1. Hight flew from 10th play to third by beating another rookie, outpacing Matt Hagan in 4.097 seconds at 307.02 mph in his Funny Car. Regular-season champ Tony Pedregon remained in first place and Ashley Force Hood moved up a spot to second place.