Pomona: Cagnazzi Racing final summary

Dave Connolly Takes Positive Feeling from Semifinal Finish at Pomona

Dave Connolly sees nothing but positives coming from the performance of his TORCO/Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt following the season-opening NHRA Carquest Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

He did, after all, qualify fourth (6.656 seconds) and advance to the semifinals for Team Cagnazzi. Jeg Coughlin, Connolly's teammate, qualified fourth and moved into the quarterfinals.

"Both cars were running pretty solid," said Connolly, of Elyria, Ohio. "We were second and third fastest in the first round and I had the second-fastest car in the quarterfinals. It was unfortunate we ran up against Greg (Anderson) in the finals."

Anderson, the No. 1 qualifier, did something many drivers don't do, leave the line first against Connolly. Anderson's .004 reaction time -- coupled with a 6.651-second, 207.78-mph performance -- ended Connolly's day. Connolly had a very good .025 reaction and pushed the TORCO/Slammers Ultimate Milk Cobalt to a 6.670 at 207.24 mph.

"We are definitely excited with the way the season started," added Connolly. "We'll be heading to Phoenix (Feb. 233-25) looking to improve our performances."

Connolly begins the year in fourth place (75 points), followed by Coughlin in fifth with 42.

-credit: team jegs for gr