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Giovanni Scelzi Posts Top 10 During 360 Knoxville Nationals Debut

(Photo by Paul Arch)

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2018) – Giovanni Scelzi enjoyed a successful weekend at Knoxville Raceway, which hosted the 28th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank and the 7th annual Weld Racing Capitani Classic presented by Great Southern Bank.

Scelzi guided the Bernie Stuebgen owned No. 71 sprint car to a top five during 360 Knoxville Nationals preliminary action and a seventh-place run out of more than 90 competitors during the finale before capping the weekend with an 11th-place finish out of 67 drivers during the Capitani Classic.

“I thought we were really good,” Scelzi said. “We had a solid event every time we were on the track.”

Scelzi began the busy weekend on Friday by qualifying third quickest out of nearly 50 drivers at the half-mile oval. He then maneuvered from sixth to second place during a heat race to lock into the sixth starting position for the 20-lap A Main. Scelzi gained a position to finish fifth, which ranked him second in overall points following the two 360 Knoxville Nationals preliminary nights. Here is a link to view Scelzi’s preliminary night feature: https://youtu.be/6O6nnYHmVhs.

“Running a 410 here for a majority of the time makes it easier to step down to a 360,” he said. “It makes it easier to hit your marks and it slows everything down. We did everything we needed to do to be on the front row for Saturday’s A Main.”

Unfortunately, a challenging start cost Scelzi several positions during the opening lap of Saturday’s 25-lap feature.

“I got a bad start and from there I couldn’t really do anything,” he said. “I never got going I felt like. However, I was one of the first guys midpack to find the rubber. Once that came in on the bottom with a few laps to go I got by three guys to get up to seventh.”

Scelzi’s seventh-place finish ranked second among event rookies. Here is a link to watch the main event: https://youtu.be/CRcIu-3QIRo.

The weekend wrapped up on Sunday for the Capitani Classic. Scelzi timed in ninth quickest in his group of 33 drivers before a third-place run in a heat race locked him into the A Main.

“It’s a unique format with the split qualifying and small inversion in each heat race,” he said. “We didn’t get the best of starts. I felt pretty good though and it was great to lock into the main event.”

Scelzi moved forward from his 14th starting position to record an 11th-place finish during the feature. Here is a link to watch the race: https://youtu.be/ko5wyV_Hhpk.

“I was up to ninth at one point, but I had a bad restart, got in dirty air and over the cushion,” he said. “The track had more grip than I’ve seen. It was good to see it with different conditions than usual. I feel like now is a great time to be fast and we’re hitting our stride.”

Scelzi will return to action later this week during the 58th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores, which is hosted by Knoxville Raceway Wednesday through Saturday. It will mark Scelzi’s first time at the event.

QUICK RESULTS –

Aug. 3 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: 2 (6); Feature: 5 (6).

Aug. 4 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Feature: 7 (2).

Aug. 5 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 9; Heat race: 3 (2); Feature: 11 (14).

SEASON STATS –

39 races, 1 win, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s, 26 top 15s, 30 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 58th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores

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 – Whipple Superchargers

Whipple Superchargers has become one of the most respected aftermarket supercharger companies and the choice of Ford and General Motors for their aftermarket needs. Whipple currently leads development and is the only US based manufacturer of the twin-screw supercharger. For more information, visit http://www.WhippleSuperchargers.com.

“Whipple Superchargers is known worldwide for its business,” Scelzi said. “My dad and Art Whipple are really good friends. Art 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 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, KSE Racing Products, 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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