Scelzi Nearly Captures First Victory of Season at Keller Auto Speedway

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2016) – Dominic Scelzi was so close to earning his first victory of the season last Saturday that he could almost taste it.

Unfortunately, a mechanical problem appeared just after the midpoint of the feature at Keller Auto Speedway that left Scelzi and car owner Nick McColloch with a DNF.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win because I felt like that was our race to win,” Scelzi said. “On the other hand with it being our first night in that car, we got better every time we hit the track. All in all, I can’t be too upset with it. I want to thank Nick for the opportunity.”

The night began with Scelzi qualifying seventh quickest.

“We went out early and the track was really hooked up and rough,” he said. “It seemed like it smoothed out as qualifying went on. Seventh wasn’t bad considering we had three laps in hot laps in a car I’d never driven before.”

Scelzi then won a heat race to lock himself into the dash.

“We got the jump on the heat race and led the distance in that,” he said. “In the dash I drew the No. 4 to start fourth and I got to second in the first corner. I had a really good start. That gave us a great starting spot for the main event.”

Scelzi maneuvered from fourth to second place in the dash to start the 30-lap main event on the outside of the front row.

“On the first lap the bottom was a little better than the top on the starts,” he said. “The polesitter got the jump and went to the top in turn one. I slid him and took the lead. We built a little over a two-second lead. Then it seemed like the motor started slowing down. Once it started sputtering and popping I pulled into the infield.”

Scelzi led the first 17 laps before exiting the track early because of the mechanical problem. Here is a link to watch the race: https://youtu.be/UtT2qLQHSKs.

Scelzi is scheduled to drive for the Van Lare Family this Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., and Saturday at Petaluma Speedway in Petaluma, Calif., with the California Civil War Sprint Car Series. He recorded a podium finish during his debut with the team earlier this season.