Giovanni Scelzi Charges Toward Lead Before Mechanical Problem at Delta

Inside Line Promotions – STOCKTON, Calif. (March 21, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi had the speed necessary to win last week. Unfortunately, he lacked much needed luck during his outdoor season debut on Thursday at Delta Speedway in a winged micro sprint.

Scelzi kicked off the event by qualifying third quickest out of nearly three dozen drivers around the bullring.

“My crew chief, Brent Ventura, and I talked a lot during the offseason about what we needed to do,” he said. “I felt like I made good laps in qualifying. The track had slicked off quite a bit and I went out late so I was happy with going third quick.”

Scelzi then advanced from fourth to third place during his heat race to lock into the eight-car feature inversion.

“In the heat race there was no need to push the issue,” he said. “We rolled around the bottom and ran third. I felt pretty good heading into the main event.”

Scelzi used the high groove to power his way into a podium position within the first third of the feature.

“The first four laps everyone was running the bottom,” he said. “I was the first one to move up to the cushion and we passed four guys. We had just passed for second and there was a caution so we got put back to third. The engine stumbled on the restart and about one lap later it quit.”

Scelzi was unable to finish and he was credited with a 21st-place result.

“It’s frustrating, but to be that strong right off the bat is a good sign,” he said. “Minus the mechanical problem it was a good start to the outdoor season.”

Scelzi’s next race is slated for April 1 at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif.