• Las Vegas Notes
• A split second, a blink of an eye and .157 seconds kept us out of qualifying for Las Vegas this past weekend.
  Ron Hepler reports that inspections went well. The new inspection procedures have been adjusted for and the NASCAR inspectors brought more resources to bear on the process and got all involved through in what is considered a "normal" time.
  The team's approach to preparing and planning for the race weekends are working as hoped. What's keeping us out of the competition is not being able to "find the qualifying magic" as John Conely puts it. (EDS note: If you notice the field's times, qualifying times are typically faster than those during competition. Why is this happening?)
  John is happy with Stan Boyd's driving: "Stan did fine. He did an excellent job for the team."
  
  
• Next up? Well, unless we get some sponsors to ante up, it is looking like Michigan in June is the next scheduled race for the team. When your team's race budget comes from day-to-day operating income, there is not a lot left over to race every weekend. With that in mind we will be watching the courses and planning for the possibility of a sponsor check coming through.
  
• We have new engine technology in the works as our next generation engine is being hammered out with Uni Boring in Howell, Michigan. While John is happy with the engines that Bill Yurgelaitis is producing for the team, he is seeing some things on the horizon that we will need to address with our power plants.
  
• Waiting for the crew to return from 'Vegas. Needless to say what we wanted to happen didn't. Since Speed only showed Stan as he left the track, we were not able to see what happened during his qualifying. A DNQ certainly means we did not get the speed we needed so we need a report from the crew as to what happened, assuming they're willing to talk about it.
  
• Thanks to those that made it to Champs for qualifying on Friday. You interest and support is much appreciated..keep those checks coming by the way.
  
• In an unrelated thought line- Our web statistics are showing quite a mix of readers with some in the UK, Eastern Europe and South America. Thanks for your interest. We're not F1, just small town U.S.A. NASCAR and that you have an interest in us is appreciated. For our locals and regulars, what would you like to see here on our web site, besides our winning the Nextel Cup series, something we would like too, but is there something missing from our/your site you would like to see? Pass on your thoughts to: webmaster@conelymotorsports.com. Your input, be nice now, might be useful.
  
• Talked with Dean late Thursday as the crew was getting back to the hotel. He reports that overall activities are going as planned. The extra day at the track came in useful as they changed the setup for Stan as he was looking for different responses from the car. We will try to get an update for you Friday night after qualifying.
• As for T. V. coverage watch Speed at 6:00 p.m., E.T. for qualifying at Las Vegas.
  If you should happen to be in the Brighton, Michigan area this Friday, March 11, stop into Champs Pub on Grand River in Brighton and watch with other Conely fans as the team fights its way into the starting lineup. Barring problems we anticipate tonight as the night Conely Motor Sports gets a dance card in the brawl-room of Cup Racing.
  
• Fontana Notes
  We were unable to practice at California. Our "practice" run was when Stan went out to qualify. A new power train inspection procedure was implemented by NASCAR staff and Fontana was the first location to shake down the process. Because of the newness of the procedure 9 teams were unable to test prior to qualifying, Conely was one of those teams. Even with not being able to test, Stan was able to break 200 mph briefly. Stan mentioned that the car felt a little loose, something we could have tweaked out of the system with proper testing.
  Inspections went by the books and with both sides getting to know each other better we are able to work our way through them in a timely manner.
  Overall the car ran trouble free and only suspension tweaks will be necessary to ready for Las Vegas. The transporter is already in Nevada and the team will leave early Wednesday morning for the trip west.
  Fontana images.
  
• Finally got John Conely to sit down for a few minutes to get some comments on Fontana and the near miss on qualifying. More on his comments soon. For the moment, plan on seeing us again on the 13th in Las Vegas. Trying to get some info. from Anita Cochran for you. With everyone on the road it is a bit difficult to connect all of the loose ends between our organizations.
  
  

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