8/9/2017
Inside Line Promotions
Scelzi Excited to Tackle Knoxville Nationals After Capitani Classic Charge
(Photo by SprintFun Photos)
Inside Line Promotions – OSKALOOSA, Iowa (Aug. 9, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi feels as good as he ever has entering the famed Knoxville Nationals.
Scelzi and his family owned, Roth Motorsports supported team will tackle the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store, which is held this Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway.
“Knoxville is a tricky track and the Knoxville Nationals is the biggest event in the world,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. We’ve produced a couple of strong results at Knoxville this year and I think the way our team has grown here will show up this weekend.”
Scelzi put in a lot of laps around the half-mile oval last weekend beginning on Friday with his preliminary night at the 27th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank. He qualified sixth quickest out of nearly 50 competitors before finishing fifth in a heat race. That narrowly missed a lock-in spot to the A Main and relegated him to the B Main.
“We laid down a really good qualifying lap and were set up well,” he said. “The six-car heat race inversion makes it tough for the guys who qualify well because we start on the third row behind some really good cars. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to pick up any positions in the heat race and that sent us to the B Main.
Scelzi placed seventh in the B Main. Once preliminary night points were calculated Scelzi lined up 16th in the B Main during Saturday’s finale.
“We knew our work was cut out for us starting so far back in a B Main that would be an A Main at most races throughout the year,” he said. “It was a good opportunity for us to try some things and race in dirty air around a lot of other really good drivers.”
He finished 14th and the team swapped engines prior to the Capitani Classic on Sunday. Scelzi kicked off his final test at Knoxville Raceway prior to the Knoxville Nationals by qualifying 19th quickest in his group. He then advanced from seventh to fifth place in a heat race before charging from 10th to third place in a B Main to score a transfer position into the A Main.
“The guys gave me a great car and we really improved each time we hit the track,” he said. “I kept gaining more and more confidence. I think we really hit on something that will help us this week during the Knoxville Nationals.”
Scelzi powered from 23rd to a 16th-place result in the main event.
The team also competed on Monday at Southern Iowa Speedway during the Front Row Challenge. Scelzi qualified 11th quickest and he gained a position to finish third in a heat race. That locked him into the 10th starting position for the main event.
“That was a fun night,” he said. “We timed in well and moved forward in the heat race. We were running well in the main event and were on pace for a solid finish, but our right rear tire blew on the final lap.”
Scelzi’s last-lap tire woes dropped him to a 19th-place finish.
“I want to give a special thanks to Danny Lasoski for all of his help,” he said.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 4 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 5 (5); B Main: 7 (3).
Aug. 5 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – B Main: 14 (16).
Aug. 6 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 19; Heat race: 5 (7); B Main: 3 (10); Feature: 16 (23).
Aug. 7 – Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa – Qualifying: 11; Heat race: 3 (4); Feature: 19 (10).
SEASON STATS –
41 races, 2 wins, 5 top fives, 11 top 10s, 17 top 15s, 28 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicScelzi41
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41
VIDEO –
Here is a link to a highlight video: https://vimeo.com/161410751
Here is a link to a promotional video: https://vimeo.com/160322149
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Whipple Superchargers
Based in Fresno, Calif., Whipple Superchargers manufactures superchargers for all types of cars. Whipple’s dedication to innovative thinking, hard work, attention to detail and outstanding product performance has led to a better, American made product for the performance industry. For more information, visit http://www.WhippleSuperchargers.com.
“Whipple Superchargers are known worldwide for their business,” Scelzi said. “My dad and Art Whipple are really good friends. He loves racing and when we decided to go sprint car racing he was a huge, huge factor in helping us get going.”
Scelzi would also like to thank Panella Trucking, Carlucci Transport, Fuel Delivery Services, Inc., Scelzi Enterprises, Red Rose Transportation, Inc., Roth Motorsports, Red Line Oil, NAPA Auto Parts, Todd Jorgensen, Weld Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, FK Rod Ends, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Sparco, Simpson Race Products, Worldwide Bearings, Blast Tech, K&N Filters, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Meridian Steel, Kenny’s Components, Lincoln Auto Auction, Auto Meter, Allstar Performance, DJS Safe Seats, Arctic Cat and Southern Pacific Farms for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller