Memphis: Gary Scelzi Saturday notes

DEFENDING EVENT CHAMP SCELZI SOARS TO NO. 8 IN MEMPHIS QUALIFYING

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sept. 27. 2008) - The defending event titlist and four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi soared to new heights today, qualifying the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in eighth place at the 21st annual NHRA Mid-South Nationals, his best qualifying effort since the Joliet, Ill., event, 12 races ago. This also marked the fifth time he's qualified in the top half of the field this season.

He recorded his quickest pass in the final qualifying session today, a 4.131-second lap at 295.05 mph. His previous runs included a solid 4.178/290.44 (No. 6), another strong 4.134/293.73, and a 4.479/198.70.

"I sure wish we would have had this race car in February instead of now, but it sure is showing some promise," said Scelzi. "We'll see what tomorrow brings. I have to be honest, I'm very proud of (crew chief) Richard Hogan and (assistant crew chief) Speedy (Bryan Shipman) of what they're doing. They're just kind of picking away at this thing, not making big moves. It's definitely showing some progress, and it's making me very happy."

Scelzi faces Gary Densham in the opening round of Sunday's eliminations.

-credit: dsr