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BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 18. 2008) - Gary Scelzi uncharacteristically fouled out in the opening round of eliminations at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals against Ashley Force, in the pair's first meeting since she entered the Funny Car class.
Driving the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, Scelzi red-lighted for only the third time in his career, negating what was otherwise a strong run for that round, a 4.857-second pass at 318.54 mph. With lane choice, Ashley pulled out a stellar 4.791/316.23 to win that match.
"You just go up there, you've been behind, you want to be on time, you want to make things happen," said the four-time NHRA champion. "The thing is I went up there trying hard and lost concentration and blew it.
"They ran an incredible number. She had a great light, (.079 - .000 is perfect). Her car hauled ass. It would have been a hard deal to beat.
"We're close, we just need to qualify better," added Scelzi, who qualified 14th to Ashley's third. "We need to win some rounds. That's about all I can say.
"It's my third red light in 11 years, so it's not like I make a habit of it, but it's definitely something that you don't want to have in your file.
"The Mopar/Oakley Dodge ran good. It's showing signs of being awesome. We just can't get that night run. What we know it will do we can't get it to do, for whatever reason, and we end up qualifying on the back half of the ladder and it's unfortunate. But we will get it, I promise you that."
Scelzi is now 14th in the Funny Car point standings.
Next up is the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Kans., May 30-June 1.
SCELZI LOSES BRISTOL FIRST ROUND ON A FOUL
BRISTOL, Tenn. (May 18. 2008) - Gary Scelzi uncharacteristically fouled out in the opening round of eliminations at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals against Ashley Force, in the pair's first meeting since she entered the Funny Car class.
Driving the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing, Scelzi red-lighted for only the third time in his career, negating what was otherwise a strong run for that round, a 4.857-second pass at 318.54 mph. With lane choice, Ashley pulled out a stellar 4.791/316.23 to win that match.
"You just go up there, you've been behind, you want to be on time, you want to make things happen," said the four-time NHRA champion. "The thing is I went up there trying hard and lost concentration and blew it.
"They ran an incredible number. She had a great light, (.079 - .000 is perfect). Her car hauled ass. It would have been a hard deal to beat.
"We're close, we just need to qualify better," added Scelzi, who qualified 14th to Ashley's third. "We need to win some rounds. That's about all I can say.
"It's my third red light in 11 years, so it's not like I make a habit of it, but it's definitely something that you don't want to have in your file.
"The Mopar/Oakley Dodge ran good. It's showing signs of being awesome. We just can't get that night run. What we know it will do we can't get it to do, for whatever reason, and we end up qualifying on the back half of the ladder and it's unfortunate. But we will get it, I promise you that."
Scelzi is now 14th in the Funny Car point standings.
Next up is the NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka, Kans., May 30-June 1.
