Phoenix: Dave Connolly final summary

Broken Motor Slows Dave Connolly in First Round Finish at Phoenix

The motor in Dave  Connolly's SKULL GEAR Pro Stock Chevrolet Cobalt broke in
the first round of  Checkers Schuck's Kragen Nationals action Sunday at
Firebird International  Raceway, ending his competitive weekend.

"It's hard to win a race  on seven cylinders," Connolly said after he
coasted to the finish line in 7.290  seconds at 146.10 mph. Richie Stevens got the
win with a 6.718 at 204.98  mph.  "We weren't going anywhere and when I got in
fourth gear the motor  laid over and starting knocking so I shut it off."

Crew chief Terry  Adams said the team would begin working on its new 2006
Chevy Cobalt next week  with the goal of having it race-ready before the ACDELCO
Gatornationals, March  17-19.

"We want to test before Gainesville so we can run both  cars, "said Adams,
"and we'll take the quickest one to  Gainesville."

The team tested last Monday and Tuesday at Speed  World near Phoenix and
Adams was pleased with what they learned at that  time.

"We are very fortunate to have an owner like Evan Knoll, who  wants us to be
competitive and gives us the opportunity to test when needed,"  added Adams.

-jls-