The starting grid once again proved to be elusive for Conely Motor Sports. We're still looking for that "qualifying magic" that John Conely refers to as the high speeds attained by racers before competition begins. Our qualifying times are on par with the racing lap times of the main body of the Cup racers, just not the qualifying times.
We were able to glean much needed information from veteran Cup driver Derrike Cope as to what we should be looking at to change in order lose those extra qualifying seconds.
Cope brought good talent to the track for us and we look forward to the next project with him. Derrike spoke of looking forward to working with the team again as well and appreciated the 110% effort provided to him by the team.

Derrike Cope during practice runs at the Batman Begins 400.

The Conely crew rolls our the Monte for qualifying laps at the Batman Begins 400.

Derrike Cope, left, and Conely Motor Sports owner John Conely talk about changes that Cope has recommended for the Brighton, Michigan Cup racer.

The crew returns from a run to the gas pumps.

The Conely Motor Sports crew rolls the SBC/Tubby's Monte Carlo into its #7 position in the qualifying lineup.

Veteran Cup driver Derrike Cope pushes the Conely Monte down the main straightaway of MIS during qualifying.

John Conely, center, addresses the crew following the news that the team did not qualify. Conely's son Sean, center, quietly expresses the frustration that the rest of the team did their best to suppress.

Despite the frustration of not qualifying for the Batman Begins 400 at Brooklyn, Michigan, Conely Motor Sports owner John Conely, center, was still able to find humor in the day when talking to the crew about the day's events and his plans for the team's next race.