I wanted to add a follow up for those who possibly could experience this. Since the last post, I have kept the rally clock unplugged. The car will start but still, slow cranking than my other cars. Battery was checked out at the napa store and no issues found. It is still charging and holding fine. Since I have been driving it more regularly I do not notice the strain like I did in the over-winter months where it sounded like the starter relay was going to click! Last week I was driving the car to get a front end alignment and when I went out in the morning to start it, the starter spun, without engaging the flywheel. It then started. This happened two more times that day and I suspected a bad starter bendix. Sure enough, when I removed the starter from the car the bendix was easily siding back and forth, it was done. I bought a replacement starter and it spins over super easy! No drag, no sounds like its a weak battery, etc. I have since plugged the rally clock back in and no "drain like" issues at all. Not sure how but its as if the starter was a drain on the system?
Happy camper once again..