Sonoma: Dave Connolly Saturday summary

Last Qualifying Run Pleases Connolly, SKULL GEAR Team

SONOMA, Calif., July 30, 2005 -- Dave Connolly's final qualifying attempt Saturday for Sunday's Fram Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway wasn't the quickest, but the results did please the SKULL GEAR Chevrolet Cobalt Pro Stock team.

"We ran better on that run (6.760 seconds at 204.29 mph) and were closer to the rest of the field than we had been," said Connolly. "'Grump' (engine builder Bill Jenkins) found a problem on that run and we left a lot on the table. I think we have a shot at it Sunday."

Connolly's best effort of 6.727 seconds at 205.10 mph put him 12th in the starting lineup. Johnson was fifth, 6.689 at 205.13.

This will be the seventh meeting between the two this year. Connolly has won four, including the final round at Pomona, Calif., in February. Johnson beat Connolly in the title round at Denver two weeks ago.

"This is the best shape we've been in in the last four or five races," added Connolly.

"We were within three-hundredths of a second of Warren's time in the last session," said crew chief Terry Adams, "and we'll have a chance against him Sunday with Dave Connolly behind the wheel."