SCELZI OUT IN VIRGINIA OPENING ROUND
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/g_scelzi.jpg" alt="g_scelzi" align="right"borders="0"/>
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 12, 2008) - Gary Scelzi was eliminated in the opening round of eliminations today at the third annual Virginia NHRA Nationals, losing his match-up against Melanie Troxel. Scelzi posted a 4.106-second pass at 295.21 mph to Troxel's winning 4.064/305.91.
"Unfortunately, we have the Mopar/Oakley Dodge running a lot better, but we're still getting our asses whipped," said Scelzi, with a laugh.
"I don't know what to think. I was a little late on the starting line (.123 to .082) and the car didn't run what we thought it was going to run. So, add those together and we're going home early again,
"It's unfortunate," said Scelzi, who had three strong qualifying runs this weekend to qualify No. 13. "Richard (Hogan, crew chief) has done a hell of a job trying to straighten this thing out and, like I said before, I wish it was earlier in the year, 'cause I think in a couple of more races we're going to have it.
"I just hope by Vegas and Pomona (the final two events of the season) we do have it, because I'd sure like to win one. It's not like the Mopar guys aren't working hard and trying hard. I know everybody says that, but it's true around here.
"No question the Funny Car class is tougher now than it has ever been. And it's good for the fans. I just wish we were a part of it. We're just a little bit behind still, but we've made leaps and bounds.”
Scelzi remains 14th in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings.
Next up is the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 30-Nov. 2.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/g_scelzi.jpg" alt="g_scelzi" align="right"borders="0"/>
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 12, 2008) - Gary Scelzi was eliminated in the opening round of eliminations today at the third annual Virginia NHRA Nationals, losing his match-up against Melanie Troxel. Scelzi posted a 4.106-second pass at 295.21 mph to Troxel's winning 4.064/305.91.
"Unfortunately, we have the Mopar/Oakley Dodge running a lot better, but we're still getting our asses whipped," said Scelzi, with a laugh.
"I don't know what to think. I was a little late on the starting line (.123 to .082) and the car didn't run what we thought it was going to run. So, add those together and we're going home early again,
"It's unfortunate," said Scelzi, who had three strong qualifying runs this weekend to qualify No. 13. "Richard (Hogan, crew chief) has done a hell of a job trying to straighten this thing out and, like I said before, I wish it was earlier in the year, 'cause I think in a couple of more races we're going to have it.
"I just hope by Vegas and Pomona (the final two events of the season) we do have it, because I'd sure like to win one. It's not like the Mopar guys aren't working hard and trying hard. I know everybody says that, but it's true around here.
"No question the Funny Car class is tougher now than it has ever been. And it's good for the fans. I just wish we were a part of it. We're just a little bit behind still, but we've made leaps and bounds.”
Scelzi remains 14th in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings.
Next up is the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Oct. 30-Nov. 2.
