Giovanni Scelzi Derailed by Mechanical Issue While Challenging for Win

Inside Line Promotions – STOCKTON, Calif. (March 23, 2015) – Giovanni Scelzi was about to shine on a bright stage when he ran into mechanical issues last Friday at Delta Speedway.

Scelzi was in the middle of battling World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series stars Shane Stewart, Bryan Clauson and David Gravel during a winged micro sprint event when disaster struck.

“I know we had the car to win,” Scelzi said. “The car was starting to come in a few laps into the main event. We were passing for second when mechanical issues derailed us. It was disappointing to watch the rest of the main event from the infield since I think we had the best car there.”

Scelzi had opened the night on a rough note after mechanical issues forced the team to change the engine following hot laps. He then qualified sixth quickest and advanced from third to second place in a heat race to lock himself into the main event.

“We tried a couple of things for the main event and it really helped out,” he said. “We had a car capable of winning.”

Scelzi ran where he started – third – for the first handful of laps before he began to make a move for the runner-up position. Unfortunately, the mechanical problem kept Scelzi from continuing the race and it relegated him to a 20th-place result.

“It’s frustrating not being able to capitalize on our speed, but it’s reassuring that we had such a strong car,” he said. “We’ll get back out there and compete for a win this weekend.”

Scelzi is scheduled to race this Friday at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif., where he won twice last season.