FMS: Watkins Glen Tim Connolly Preview

** THE GLEN 150 / TIM CONNOLLY FAST FACTS **

The Featherlite Modified Series heads to Watkins Glen International for the running of Saturday's "Glenn 150." Tim Connolly is a two time series winner at the 2.45-mile road course, and the Southern Tier native is looking to have success this weekend in front of the home crowd. The pilot of the Ralston-Purina/Tidy Cats Racing Team is ready for the return to the Finger Lakes Area and says, "We're going to our playground! The team is looking forward to the race, we're geared up for it and focused on the Glen. I can't wait to get there....this past week couldn't go by fast enough." Car owner Bob Garbarino is also ready for the challenges offered by the road course and says, "Tim always does a great job at Watkins Glen. The team has put in a lot of hours getting ready for this race and there's no reason we shouldn't expect another good run this weekend."

Last Time at the Glen: (5/30/98, Bully Hill 150, Watkins Glen NY) European-style qualifying on Friday saw Endicott's Tim Connolly pilot the Tidy Cat/Ralston Purina Dodge to the second fastest time of the 39 cars on hand. On Saturday, the Endicott NY resident began the 38-lap event from the outside of the first row. Although Connolly dropped back to third on the start, the Bob Garbarino owned Modified was back in second place by the fourth lap. Tony Hirschman passed the #4 on lap seven, but following the lap 11 competition yellow, Connolly moved back into second place. As the race unfolded, fans were treated to another show in which Mike Stefanik and Connolly led the field. The two modified veterans pulled away from the rest of the field, and were running one-two as they took the white flag. As the two drivers entered the inner loop portion of the road course, they were greeted by local caution on the road course brought out by a spun car. In accordance with NASCAR rules, teams are allowed to race back to the finish line under caution if they have been shown the white flag. Stefanik slowed amid the lapped traffic in the loop while Connolly weaved his way through the traffic jam to take the lead. Connolly held off a late charge by Stefanik through the final four turns of the course to take his first win of the season.

History Lesson:

Tim Connolly and the Ralston-Purina/Tidy Cats Racing Team's results at Watkins Glen are as follows:

Date            Race                    St      Fn              Status
8/25/96 Watkins Glen 100                 6      23              Accident
6/28/97 Polaroid 125                     1       1              Running
8/24/97 Ruffles 150                      2       6              Running
5/30/98 Bully Hill 150                   2       1              Running

1999 Recap: Tim Connolly has two 1999 wins to date in the Featherlite Modified Series picking up wins at Stafford CT (5/28) and Thompson CT (7/22). The Ralston-Purina/Tidy Cats Racing Team has posted five finishes in the top five, and ten finishes in the top 10 and took Bud Pole Award honors once this season. Last Saturday at Riverhead Raceway on Long Island, Connolly turned in a fourth place finish at the quarter-mile facility. The unofficial Featherlite Modified Series points standings are as follows: 1) Hirschman 2,057, 2) Ewanitsko 1,943, 3) Fuller 1,832, 4) Connolly 1,800, 5) ChPasteryak 1,773, 6) Tomaino 1,738, 7) Kopec 1,733, 8) Cravenho 1,671, 9) Ferrante 1,666, 10) Baldwin 1,638

Up Next: August 27, Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway