Madison: Dave Connolly Saturday summary

Summer Weather, Slippery Track Slow SKULL GEAR Cobalt's Times

MADISON, Ill., June 24, 2006 -- Dave Connolly registered two consistent elapsed times in Saturday's two qualifying runs but was disappointed they weren't good enough to put him higher in the starting lineup for Sunday's O'Reilly's Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

His best run of 6.707 seconds came during Friday night's session. He turned in runs of 6.742 and 6.743 seconds Saturday on a track that was alternately tricky in sunny conditions and good when the sun was down.

"We didn't make a good run Saturday afternoon," Connolly commented. "The car was driving to the left. I'm glad we stayed in the top half of the field because we could've been bumped out of the top eight. Sunday will be a different day. We still have the capability of being a fast car out there in eliminations."

Connolly meets Greg Standfield (10th, 6.718 at 205.44 mph) in the opening round.

-js