Seattle: Dave Connolly final summary

Dave Connolly Caught Up in Wave of Upsets at Schuck's Nationals

Dave Connolly was one of seven NHRA  Pro Stock top 10 drivers caught up in a
tidal wave of upsets in the opening  round of Sunday's Schuck's Auto Supply
Nationals at Pacific  Raceways.

Connolly, starting from the No. 7 position, never had a chance to challenge Warren Johnson because the engine in the SKULL Gear Chevy Cobalt expired early in the quarter-mile run on another unseasonably hot summer day. Connolly coasted through in 7.131 seconds at 159.01 mph behind Johnson's 6.767 at 204.76 mph.

"We dropped a valve and blew the  motor," said the dejected Connolly.  "We
have to ship it to North Carolina  (to engine builder Victor Cagnazzi's shop in
Mooresville) and get it  fixed.  We hate to waste an opportunity to go rounds
and make up ground on  Jason (Line, the POWERade Series leader) and Greg
(Anderson, second in  points)."

Connolly remains third with 879 points. Anderson has 910 and Line 935.

Temperatures were in the high 90s and rose as high as 102 degrees during the weekend.

The annual Western Swing concludes with the  FRAM Autolite Nationals, Friday
through Sunday, at Infineon  Raceway.

-js