(Photo by Brian Ratchford)
Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi powered to eight micro sprint feature victories and the California Speedweek title this season. However, the highlight of 2016 was the transition from micro sprint to sprint car, which Scelzi made as a 14-year-old.
“It was a big transition,” he said. “It was an eye opener on how difficult it is. I would say it was a learning year. I think my driving came a long way from the beginning of the year.”
Scelzi produced four podiums, seven top fives and 12 top 10s in 17 winged sprint car races. He also claimed the King of Kings title, which served as the track championship for Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford, Calif.
“I can’t thank Dennis and Theresa Roth and Todd Ventura enough for the opportunity to race a sprint car,” he said. “We were really consistent driving for all the different teams. I think we only had a few races out of the top 10. We tried a few different tracks with a few different engines and chassis combos. I got my feet wet in a lot of situations.”
Scelzi, who drove for three different sprint car teams, garnered a top-10 finish during all seven races with Roth Motorsports. He also earned a top 10 during his lone race with Van Dyke Motorsports and Scelzi scored two podiums and four top 10s piloting his family owned race car.
Scelzi’s best finish of second place came twice, with the second occurrence serving as one of the biggest moments of his young career. Scelzi drove the Roth Motorsports entry from 12th to the runner-up result on Sept. 17 at Keller Auto Speedway. The strong finish helped propel him to the King of Kings championship.
“Coming from 12th to second at Hanford, I think there were 30 cars and a lot of good cars,” he said. “There was no time to hang out. You had to go now and as hard as you could every lap. That was huge for us to be able to run up front after starting mid-pack.”
Scelzi’s success in the micro sprint was also outstanding as he picked up eight wins – four at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif., and two at both Delta Speedway in Stockton, Calif., and Lemoore Raceway in Lemoore, Calif.
Two of those victories came during the California Speedweek, when Scelzi finished in the top two in all four races to capture the crown.
“To keep the bear (trophy) at home was pretty cool,” he said. “The Speedweek was really cool with how fast we were. That was a huge deal to win that. This year we were definitely on our game going into it.
“I want to thank everyone who helped work on and support our micro sprint team and sprint car opportunities. A special thanks goes to Brent Ventura for his hard work. This year was the best year of my career. Next year we are focusing on the sprint car and I can’t wait to get that first sprint car win.”
SEASON STATS –
38 races, 8 wins, 19 top fives, 24 top 10s, 26 top 15s, 31 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 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.
“Art Whipple is a great guy,” Scelzi said. “If we need anything he is there. He’s a family friend who has helped out a ton.”
Scelzi would also like to thank Fowler Packing, Fuel Delivery Services, Inc., Panella Trucking, Carlucci Transport, Roth Motorsports, Red Rose Transportation, Scelzi Enterprises, Metric Cycles Racing Engines, Panella Racing Engines, Schoenfeld Headers, Weld Wheels, FK Rod Ends, K&N Filters, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, MicroBlue Bearings, KW Suspensions, Worldwide Bearings, Sweet Blast Tech, Todd Jorgensen, G&J Truck Sales, Sparco, Simpson Race Products, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Red Fuel, Meridian Steel, Kenny’s Components, Southern Pacific Farms, Auto Meter and Allstar Performance 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.
- Shawn Miller on Nov 28, 2016
- Article Date: 11/28/2016 by Inside Line Promotions