Topeka: Dave Connolly Saturday summary

Relieved Dave Connolly Qualifies Second at Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan., 2005 - After a tumultuous few days, Dave Connolly and the former Bullet Motorsports Pro Stock team were happy to be racing.

And they proved they hadn't let the fact they were without an owner trouble them during qualifying for Sunday's O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

Connolly drove the team's Chevrolet Cobalt into the No. 2 qualifying position in his first attempt (6.751 seconds) during a rainy Friday night, and then improved it (6.735 seconds) to remain second. That's where he'll begin Sunday eliminations, too, racing No. 15 Kenny Koretsky (6.785).

"For us to be back racing after all that's happened this week, and then to qualify second, shows how good this team is under pressure," said Connolly, who worked diligently to find a new home for the team after the former owner stunned them Monday with his sudden decision to fold the racing operation. "We made two pretty strong runs on Friday and Terry (Adams, the crew chief) tried some different things on Saturday's runs. We'll be ready Sunday."

Andy and Mark Carrier, Top Fuel team owners, rescued the team when it looked like it couldn't be in Topeka. They kept the team in tact and financed the trip from Mansfield, Ohio, to Topeka. The Carriers also indicated a willingness to buy the team.

"I can't thank the Carriers enough for what they've done for me and my team," said Connolly. "They wanted to keep the team together."

Connolly, 22, is a two-time winner this season and is third in POWERade points behind Warren Johnson and Greg Anderson.

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