Seattle: Dave Connolly preview

Dave Connolly,  Torco Racing Fuels Chevy

Team Happy to Be at Sea Level in  Seattle

Like every other Pro Stock driver coming to Pacific  Raceways in nearby Kent
this weekend, Dave Connolly is very happy to be "off the  mountain."

More specifically, leaving Bandimere Speedway in the  mile-high Denver area
was a relief and the Schuck's Auto Supply Nationals,  Friday through Sunday,
really will provide a much better competitive  atmosphere.

"When you come off the mountain and get back to sea  level at Seattle and
make your first run, it feels like you are going 220 miles  an hour," said
Connolly, whose fastest speed in Evan Knoll's Torco Racing Fuels  Chevy Cobalt is
209.95 mph.  "In Denver, we gear the cars to compensate for  the altitude just
to get the cars going and you just cruise along for the ride  and it really
feels like it is in slow motion.  Back at Seattle, where the  air (atmospheric
conditions) can get really good, you are going 10-15 miles  faster than Denver.

"You never know what to expect, weather-wise,  in Seattle. It might be real
cool or the sun will be shining and it'll be 100  degrees."

Connolly, 24, is one of the bright young Pro Stock  driving talents.  He has
two wins (St. Louis and Norwalk, Ohio) this year  and 11 overall.  He also has
one runner-up finish in 2007.  He  finished in the top five in his first
three seasons (third, fifth and third,  respectively) and currently ranks third in
NHRA POWERade Series standings with  885 points after suffering a rare
first-round loss Sunday at  Denver.

In his first Pacific Raceways appearance in 2005, the Elyria, Ohio, native was a finalist in both Pro Stock and Super Comp categories -- a very rare feat -- and was runner-up in both.

"Last year we broke  a motor at Seattle and that was kind of the downfall of
our season, but  hopefully things will be different this year," said Connolly,
a member of Victor  Cagnazzi Racing's potent two-car team with Jeg Coughlin. "
We broke a motor this  year at Bristol (Tenn., July 8) and it looks like we'
ll have that one back in  time for the Seattle race.  The guys in the engine
shop have done an  excellent job of turning the motors back around and getting
them fixed in the  last month.

"We are fortunate we haven't hurt too much yet.".

This race is the fifth in as many weeks, and there's one more next week at Sonoma, Calif., before all of the teams get a welcomed weekend off to rest and replenish their parts inventories.

-credit: ekr