Phoenix: Dave Connolly final summary

Mechanical Problems Send Connolly to Quarterfinal Loss

CHANDLER, Ariz., February 25, 2007 -- Bravo! Brands Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BRVO): Dave Connolly was disappointed. Tire shake and Jason Line knocked the TORCO/Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt out of a possible berth in the CSK Nationals semifinals Sunday at traditionally tricky Firebird Raceway.

Winning another round would've salvaged something from what became a long weekend of struggles from both Connolly's Pro Stock team and that of Cagnazzi Racing teammate Jeg Coughlin and the Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt.

Connolly and Line each had .041-second reactions, but the shake forced Connolly to lift and he coasted past the finish line in 10.732 seconds at 83.19 mph to Line's 6.701 at 207.56.

"We didn't have lane choice but he had been slowing up," said Connolly. "I have been driving pretty consistently. The only thing rougher than the track is the road to the final round."

Connolly waited out a one-minute plus starting-line standoff with Kenny Koretsky to capture the opening-round victory. Neither driver wanted to stage first, but Connolly stuck the TORCO/Slammers Chevy's nose in and Koretsky followed soon thereafter. Connolly struck first with a .026 reaction to a .079, winning, 6.668 at 207.76 to 6.736 at 205.51.

After two of 23 series event, Connolly ranks fourth in NHRA POWERade Series points with 127. Next up is the ACDelco Nationals at Gainesville, Fla., March 23-25.

-credit: dcr