11/13/2018
Inside Line Promotions
Giovanni Scelzi Earns Prestigious Wins and Awards on Biggest Level in 2018
(Photo by Trent Gower Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2018) – If 2017 was a breakout season for Giovanni Scelzi this year was a welcome to the national scene season.
Scelzi won a trio of races, most notably a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series show during the National Open weekend at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., when 50 drivers battled it out in a World of Outlaws versus Pennsylvania Posse versus invaders showdown.
“To win that and knock that off the bucket list was pretty incredible,” he said. “To make it Bernie’s first win and get the phone calls from a lot of people who were happy for me was really special. I felt like it was coming, but I didn’t expect it to come there.”
Scelzi became the youngest winner in World of Outlaws and Williams Grove Speedway history. He capped the impressive weekend by earning the National Open Rookie of the Year Award the following night.
Scelzi opened the season with the same award during the famed Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. He then garnered the Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year Award and became the youngest driver in the history of the famous event to make the Saturday A Main at only 16-years-old, besting a record held by former NASCAR star Jeff Gordon.
“Going into Knoxville for your first Nationals you can’t have any expectations,” he said. “Just to make the show on our prelim night was an accomplishment in itself. You take it steps at a time because the competition is so good around you. The whole weekend from autograph sessions to being around past champions, it was so cool for me. I’d only been to the Knoxville Nationals one time to watch. It was an unbelievable week. It’s hard to put into words how special it was.”
Scelzi spent most of his season racing for Bernie Stuebgen in the Indy Race Parts No. 71 and the duo won their first race together during a BOSS Series event at Gas City I-69 Speedway in Gas City, Ind., which was topped by the World of Outlaws triumph only a few weeks later.
Scelzi was also victorious in a family owned car during the opening night of the Peter Murphy Classic at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif.
Other highlights this season include finishing second out of 75-plus drivers in the Trophy Cup standings and recording a fifth-place finish during the World of Outlaws World Finals.
“I think being consistent all year and qualifying as good as we have stands out,” Scelzi said. “It’s such a hard part because everyone is so close with the equipment and engines. The racing will come with experience, but qualifying well is so crucial. To be competitive consistently with whatever series we’d run with, the World of Outlaws and All Stars, stands out.
“I feel like once I got with Bernie things started clicking and I improved as a driver. I want to thank him and Betsy along with Richard and Jennifer Marshall, Paul Silva and my family for the opportunities to race. Also, thank you to Neil Kelly and Brandon Hickman for their help and the sponsors who’ve supported each team.”
SEASON STATS –
63 races, 3 wins, 20 top fives, 31 top 10s, 45 top 15s, 50 top 20s
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://vimeo.com/216772925
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Indy Race Parts
Indy Race Parts specializes in new and used sprint car, midget and mini sprint parts. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/indyraceparts/.
“Bernie and Betsy Stuebgen have become really close friends in the few weeks I’ve known them,” Scelzi said. “It’s good to start off being that fast off the bat. I really appreciate the opportunity they’ve provided.”
Scelzi would also like to thank Whipple Superchargers, Scelzi Enterprises, Fuel Delivery Services, Inc., Red Rose Transportation, Inc., Carlucci Transport, Roth Motorsports, Panella Trucking, NAPA Auto Parts, Red Line Oil, K&N Filters, Schoenfeld Headers, FK Rod Ends, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Weld Wheels, KSE Racing Products Sparco, Simpson Race Products, Worldwide Bearings, Todd Jorgensen, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Meridian Steel, Kenny’s Components, 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
