Connolly bests Yates to win Pro Stock Showdown in Las Vegas

by Kevin McKenna, National DRAGSTER Photos by Auto Imagery 2/3/2007
Dave Connolly, near lane, defeated Jim Yates to win the Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown in Las Vegas and enjoyed the spoils with his team.

Dave Connolly, one of the preseason favorites to win the 2007 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock world championship, picked up his first win of the year by scoring a victory at the second annual Pontiac Pro Stock Showdown at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In the final, Connolly drove his Torco Cobalt to a 6.71 to 6.74 win over former two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Jim Yates.

“People say this race doesn't count because we aren't racing for points, but I don't believe it,” said Connolly. “A win is a win no matter what. It still counts in my book. In 2005, I won this race and then went to Pomona and won that race, so hopefully we can repeat that this year.

“We found a bit of horsepower over the winter, but you're never sure how good you are until you start racing against everyone else. If we can run like this all year, I like our chances.”

Connolly qualified sixth in the 16-car field with a 6.707 and drove to the final with wins against Kurt Johnson, Greg Stanfield, and Mike Edwards, who fouled in his Young Life Pontiac. The Las Vegas event provided a solid barometer of the Pro Stock class as all 24 racers who are pre-entered for next week's CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Pomona were in attendance. Six-time NHRA world champ Warren Johnson qualified on the bump spot in the 16-car field with a 6.767. The notable non-qualifiers included former Las Vegas winner Ron Krisher, Pro Stock newcomers Dwayne Rice, Rodger Brogdon, Justin Humphreys, and defending event winner Larry Morgan.

After qualifying ninth, reigning POWERade world champion Jason Line was upset in round one by Max Naylor, who went on to post a semifinal finish in his Jagermeister Dodge Stratus. Line's teammate, Greg Anderson, didn't fare any better as he got out of shape in the opening round when an oil line came off his Summit Racing Pontiac.

While the Pro Stock teams were competing in eliminations, a number of other Pro and Sportsman racers continued their preseason testing in preparation for next week's opener in Pomona.

Action was delayed for close to an hour after popular Pro Hillary Will was involved in an accident in the KB Racing Top Fuel dragster. Will was on a 4.66 run at more than 290 mph when apparent breakage caused her car to go out of control. Will was transported to University Medical Center, where she was treated for minor injuries. She returned to the racetrack several hours later while her crew began preparing a new race car.