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Giovanni Scelzi Scores First Career Podium Finish at Knoxville Raceway

(Photo by Loud Pedal Photography)

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (July 31, 2018) – Giovanni Scelzi earned his career-best result at Knoxville Raceway last Saturday when he posted a podium finish.

Scelzi did double duty in the Bernie Stuebgen ride by competing in both the 410ci and 360ci winged sprint car divisions for the first time in his career.

Scelzi qualified fifth quickest in his Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions group before placing fifth in a heat race. That relegated him to the B Main, which he won to transfer into the back of the main event. That was a feat in itself as more than 50 drivers vied for one of the 24 feature positions.

“On the initial start I got in the back of someone and it knocked the nose wing off,” he said. “We had a caution shortly after so I pulled into the infield. The wing posts were blocked and we couldn’t get it changed in time to get back out there.”

Scelzi was unable to restart the race. Fortunately, his night in the 360 division went much smoother as he qualified third quickest out of more than 40 drivers. Scelzi then advanced from sixth to third place during a heat race before he lined up third in the main event.

“The 360 is nose heavy and slower,” he said. “You have to carry momentum more. It’s very important because you don’t have as much power as the 410. You can’t make erratic moves. It was easier to hit my marks.

“In the feature I got a bad first start. We fell to sixth on the opening lap. Then I got rolling and I was able to carry momentum around the top. We were really good toward the end. I think if it was 25 laps we could have moved forward even more and contended for the win.”

Scelzi’s rally for a third-place run was his ninth top five of the season. Here is a link to watch the race: https://youtu.be/QobBUf91Pbs.

Scelzi and Stuebgen will return to Knoxville Raceway this weekend for the 28th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank Thursday through Saturday and the Capitani Classic on Sunday.

“There will be a lot more cars and good cars at the 360 Knoxville Nationals,” Scelzi said. “To make the show and run in the top 10 would be a success. I feel like we have the speed to accomplish that.”

This weekend will mark Scelzi’s first time tackling both events.

QUICK RESULTS –

July 28 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa (410 sprint car) – Qualifying: 5; Heat race: 5 (5); B Main: 1 (2); Feature: DNF (21).

July 28 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa (360 sprint car) – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: 3 (6); Feature: 3 (3).

SEASON STATS –

36 races, 1 win, 9 top fives, 14 top 10s, 23 top 15s, 27 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Thursday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 28th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank and Sunday at Knoxville Raceway for the Capitani Classic

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GioScelzi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Scelzi-Motorsports/225890834113599

VIDEO –

Here is a link to a highlight and promotional video: https://youtu.be/RjDQszUzoe0

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – KSE Racing Products

KSE Racing Products has been manufacturing premium oval track racing products for more than 35 years. All of its products are proudly built in the USA by a talented team of craftsmen at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility just north of Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit http://www.KSE-Racing.com.

“We’ve been running KSE steering boxes for the last few years,” Scelzi said. “They build an absolutely outstanding product. Their quality is second to none.”

Scelzi would also like to thank Priority Aviation Services, Whipple Superchargers, Scelzi Enterprises, Fuel Delivery Services, Inc., Carlucci Transport, Red Rose Transportation, Inc., Roth Motorsports, Panella Trucking, NAPA Auto Parts, Red Line Oil, Weld Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, FK Rod Ends, Sparco, Simpson Race Products, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Worldwide Bearings, Todd Jorgensen, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, K&N Filters, Meridian Steel, Kenny’s Components, Auto Meter, Allstar Performance, DJS Safe Seats, Arctic Cat, Southern Pacific Farms and Indy Race Parts 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.

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