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FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2007) - Four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi reaped some inspiration from his 10-year-old son Dominic's Mini-Sprint racing success in California last weekend, as well as his USAC driver's performance, as he approaches this weekend's Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals driving the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.
Sixth in the Countdown to Four point standings, with this one event remaining to determine the final four for the Countdown to One, Scelzi is hoping Dominic's success will rub off on him.
"Dominic had a great weekend," explained Scelzi, who runs Gary Scelzi Motorsports in his "spare" time. "He set fast time, ran second in the heat, started eighth in the main, ran second. That's the best weekend we've had in a while.
"Michael (Faccinto, 17) also ran really well in the USAC Midget. He started on the pole and led all 16 laps of the main event in Hanford (Calif.). The track was so rough it was eating tires, so they shortened the main event from 25 to 15 laps. But we knew that going in. He led every lap; that was outstanding.
"So now I'm the one left to hold up the old Gary Scelzi Motorsports banner. If I don't do any good here in Richmond, they're going to fire me," he laughed.
Six drivers will be vying for a slot in the top four, as John Force, who moved into fourth at the last race, will not compete in Richmond this weekend while he recuperates from injuries sustained after he crashed winning the second round in Dallas. "It's a shame that Force isn't going to be there," said Scelzi. "We're all hoping for a speedy recovery for John because that's really the reason we all race, because Force is the best.
"He's won more championships, won more races than anybody. He came from virtually nowhere this year to make the Countdown and then jumped up and won three races. He's just phenomenal. He's the one we all go after. For him not to be there and not be competing is sad. Not that anybody else is going to be very weak.
"We need to go to the finals. We need to be in that top four. We need to run well, so we're part of this thing in Vegas (the penultimate season event in Las Vegas on Oct. 26-28, where the top four will begin the Countdown to One playoffs). That's our plan.
"We've taken steps to reinforce our Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T in the driver's area where John's broke, so all three of the Don Schumacher Racing Funny cars are being stiffened and reinforced so that doesn't happen again. Of all the bad things that happened a couple of weeks ago, the good thing is that all these care are going to be a lot safer. At least I know our cars are going to be. That makes me feel better going into Virginia, because I definitely didn't like what I saw in Dallas."
As for getting into the top four, "There's no room for error," said Scelzi, a three-time winner this season. "We went out first round last race. We don't really know what happened. It shook the tires, it hadn't done that in a while. We're going to go into Virginia and try to win the race, just like we do every other time. Right now you've got to get to the final or win the race, otherwise the Countdown is going to become a memory."
FUNNY CAR COUNTDOWN TO FOUR POINT STANDINGS ENTERING VIRGINIA (wins in parentheses):
1. Tony Pedregon, Detroit, Q Horsepower Chevy Impala (3) 2259 (+71)
2. Robert Hight, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang (2) 2243 (+55)
3. Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., MTS Dodge Charger (2) 2213 (+25)
4. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (3) 2191 (+3)
5. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Brut Dodge Charger R/T (3) 2188 (-3)
6. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger (3) 2186 (-5)
7. Mike Ashley, New York, Torco/Skull Gear Dodge Charger (3) 2176 (-15)
GARY SCELZI QUICK FACTS:
* Sixth in Countdown to Four point standings after three of four events
* Earned seventh place in Funny Car Countdown to the Championship points for the top eight
* Qualified No. 1 and won the 2007 season-opening Pomona event, again qualified No. 1 and won the Chicago event, then won in Memphis
* His other results this season are first-round losses in Phoenix, Gainesville, Las Vegas, Englishtown, Denver, Sonoma, Reading, Indianapolis and Dallas, quarterfinal finishes in Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Topeka, Bristol and Seattle, a semifinal finish in Brainerd, and a DNQ in Norwalk
* One Top Fuel win at Virginia Motorsports Park, in 1997
* No. 1 qualifier at VMP in 1997 and 1999 in TF
* Still holds the Top Fuel elapsed time and top speed records at VMP: 4.494 seconds, 324.05 mph
* Qualified No. 12 in Richmond in 2006, lost first round to Jim Head
* Seventh in 2006 Funny Car points, with a win in Denver (three final rounds), runner-up in Englishtown, N.J., runner-up in Brainerd, Minn., and three semifinal finishes in Bristol, Tenn., Joliet, Ill., and St. Louis.
* Also had seven quarterfinal finishes and no No. 1 qualifiers in '06
* Claimed the 2005 Funny Car championship, his first, by eight points over his teammate Ron Capps, 32 over third-place John Force
* Won three times in 2005 (Bristol, Chicago 1 and Sonoma); was low qualifier six times (Las Vegas 1, Atlanta, St. Louis, Reading, Las Vegas 2, Pomona 2)
* Is a three-time Top Fuel champion (1997, 1998, 2000)
* Became only the second NHRA driver to have won crowns in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Kenny Bernstein is the first
* Has set 24 Funny Car top speeds since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2003
* Is a member of the largest team in NHRA pro history: Don Schumacher Racing - one in Top Fuel, three in Funny Car, one in Pro Stock, two in Pro Stock Motorcycle (all four pro categories)
* Is first Funny Car driver to break the 330-mph barrier (330.15 mph at Route 66 Raceway in 2004)
* Career Funny Car bests: 4.690-second ET (Pomona 1 '07), 333.49 mph (Pomona 1 '07)
* Qualified in top five 19 times in 2005, No. 1 six times
* Age 47 (Aug. 11, 1960), born and raised in Fresno, Calif., where he lives with wife Julianne and sons Dominic and Giovanni
* Dominic, 10, races Restricted 600 Mini Sprints
* Runs Scelzi Enterprises, a custom truck body design and manufacturing business in Fresno with his two brothers
* Won his first Top Fuel crown as a rookie
* Has 11 Funny Car wins, 25 Top Fuel wins
* Sixth in 2003 Funny Car points, his first full season in that class
* 2007 is his fifth straight season racing for Don Schumacher Racing
* Is the only NHRA driver to have won in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. He accomplished this feat by winning Nitro Funny Car at Infineon Raceway in 2003
* Is one of the few Funny Car drivers who has a round winning record against the 14-time Funny Car champion John Force: 12-10, 3-1 in final rounds
* Said earlier this year that he would step away from NHRA competition at end of 2007. An offer from NHRA team owner Ken Black to fly him to and from 10 races in 2008, so he could spend more time with family business and family, helped him change his mind and return with DSR in 2008
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 5 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3:30 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 6, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 5, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Saturday, Oct. 6, 6:45 - 7:15 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Sunday, Oct. 7, 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on Sunday.
SCELZI INSPIRED BY SON'S SUCCESS
FRESNO, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2007) - Four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi reaped some inspiration from his 10-year-old son Dominic's Mini-Sprint racing success in California last weekend, as well as his USAC driver's performance, as he approaches this weekend's Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals driving the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.
Sixth in the Countdown to Four point standings, with this one event remaining to determine the final four for the Countdown to One, Scelzi is hoping Dominic's success will rub off on him.
"Dominic had a great weekend," explained Scelzi, who runs Gary Scelzi Motorsports in his "spare" time. "He set fast time, ran second in the heat, started eighth in the main, ran second. That's the best weekend we've had in a while.
"Michael (Faccinto, 17) also ran really well in the USAC Midget. He started on the pole and led all 16 laps of the main event in Hanford (Calif.). The track was so rough it was eating tires, so they shortened the main event from 25 to 15 laps. But we knew that going in. He led every lap; that was outstanding.
"So now I'm the one left to hold up the old Gary Scelzi Motorsports banner. If I don't do any good here in Richmond, they're going to fire me," he laughed.
Six drivers will be vying for a slot in the top four, as John Force, who moved into fourth at the last race, will not compete in Richmond this weekend while he recuperates from injuries sustained after he crashed winning the second round in Dallas. "It's a shame that Force isn't going to be there," said Scelzi. "We're all hoping for a speedy recovery for John because that's really the reason we all race, because Force is the best.
"He's won more championships, won more races than anybody. He came from virtually nowhere this year to make the Countdown and then jumped up and won three races. He's just phenomenal. He's the one we all go after. For him not to be there and not be competing is sad. Not that anybody else is going to be very weak.
"We need to go to the finals. We need to be in that top four. We need to run well, so we're part of this thing in Vegas (the penultimate season event in Las Vegas on Oct. 26-28, where the top four will begin the Countdown to One playoffs). That's our plan.
"We've taken steps to reinforce our Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T in the driver's area where John's broke, so all three of the Don Schumacher Racing Funny cars are being stiffened and reinforced so that doesn't happen again. Of all the bad things that happened a couple of weeks ago, the good thing is that all these care are going to be a lot safer. At least I know our cars are going to be. That makes me feel better going into Virginia, because I definitely didn't like what I saw in Dallas."
As for getting into the top four, "There's no room for error," said Scelzi, a three-time winner this season. "We went out first round last race. We don't really know what happened. It shook the tires, it hadn't done that in a while. We're going to go into Virginia and try to win the race, just like we do every other time. Right now you've got to get to the final or win the race, otherwise the Countdown is going to become a memory."
FUNNY CAR COUNTDOWN TO FOUR POINT STANDINGS ENTERING VIRGINIA (wins in parentheses):
1. Tony Pedregon, Detroit, Q Horsepower Chevy Impala (3) 2259 (+71)
2. Robert Hight, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang (2) 2243 (+55)
3. Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., MTS Dodge Charger (2) 2213 (+25)
4. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (3) 2191 (+3)
5. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Brut Dodge Charger R/T (3) 2188 (-3)
6. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger (3) 2186 (-5)
7. Mike Ashley, New York, Torco/Skull Gear Dodge Charger (3) 2176 (-15)
GARY SCELZI QUICK FACTS:
* Sixth in Countdown to Four point standings after three of four events
* Earned seventh place in Funny Car Countdown to the Championship points for the top eight
* Qualified No. 1 and won the 2007 season-opening Pomona event, again qualified No. 1 and won the Chicago event, then won in Memphis
* His other results this season are first-round losses in Phoenix, Gainesville, Las Vegas, Englishtown, Denver, Sonoma, Reading, Indianapolis and Dallas, quarterfinal finishes in Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Topeka, Bristol and Seattle, a semifinal finish in Brainerd, and a DNQ in Norwalk
* One Top Fuel win at Virginia Motorsports Park, in 1997
* No. 1 qualifier at VMP in 1997 and 1999 in TF
* Still holds the Top Fuel elapsed time and top speed records at VMP: 4.494 seconds, 324.05 mph
* Qualified No. 12 in Richmond in 2006, lost first round to Jim Head
* Seventh in 2006 Funny Car points, with a win in Denver (three final rounds), runner-up in Englishtown, N.J., runner-up in Brainerd, Minn., and three semifinal finishes in Bristol, Tenn., Joliet, Ill., and St. Louis.
* Also had seven quarterfinal finishes and no No. 1 qualifiers in '06
* Claimed the 2005 Funny Car championship, his first, by eight points over his teammate Ron Capps, 32 over third-place John Force
* Won three times in 2005 (Bristol, Chicago 1 and Sonoma); was low qualifier six times (Las Vegas 1, Atlanta, St. Louis, Reading, Las Vegas 2, Pomona 2)
* Is a three-time Top Fuel champion (1997, 1998, 2000)
* Became only the second NHRA driver to have won crowns in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Kenny Bernstein is the first
* Has set 24 Funny Car top speeds since joining Don Schumacher Racing in 2003
* Is a member of the largest team in NHRA pro history: Don Schumacher Racing - one in Top Fuel, three in Funny Car, one in Pro Stock, two in Pro Stock Motorcycle (all four pro categories)
* Is first Funny Car driver to break the 330-mph barrier (330.15 mph at Route 66 Raceway in 2004)
* Career Funny Car bests: 4.690-second ET (Pomona 1 '07), 333.49 mph (Pomona 1 '07)
* Qualified in top five 19 times in 2005, No. 1 six times
* Age 47 (Aug. 11, 1960), born and raised in Fresno, Calif., where he lives with wife Julianne and sons Dominic and Giovanni
* Dominic, 10, races Restricted 600 Mini Sprints
* Runs Scelzi Enterprises, a custom truck body design and manufacturing business in Fresno with his two brothers
* Won his first Top Fuel crown as a rookie
* Has 11 Funny Car wins, 25 Top Fuel wins
* Sixth in 2003 Funny Car points, his first full season in that class
* 2007 is his fifth straight season racing for Don Schumacher Racing
* Is the only NHRA driver to have won in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. He accomplished this feat by winning Nitro Funny Car at Infineon Raceway in 2003
* Is one of the few Funny Car drivers who has a round winning record against the 14-time Funny Car champion John Force: 12-10, 3-1 in final rounds
* Said earlier this year that he would step away from NHRA competition at end of 2007. An offer from NHRA team owner Ken Black to fly him to and from 10 races in 2008, so he could spend more time with family business and family, helped him change his mind and return with DSR in 2008
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 5 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3:30 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 6, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 5, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Saturday, Oct. 6, 6:45 - 7:15 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Sunday, Oct. 7, 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on Sunday.
