Giovanni Scelzi Faces Obstacles during Debut at Port City Raceway

Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (May 30, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi showcased some bright moments during his first trip to compete outdoors in the Midwest.

Scelzi piloted a micro sprint for Kyle Anderson last weekend at Port City Raceway during a doubleheader that began with mechanical problems on Friday night.

“The engine kept dying,” Scelzi said. “We were only able to pick up one spot in the heat race and we finished sixth.”

That lined him up on the inside of the third row for the B Main. However, Scelzi quickly picked up a pair of positions and was in contention for a transfer when the engine died again. This time it ended his night early.

“We changed some stuff with the motor for Saturday and it was a lot better,” he said.

Scelzi charged from eighth to win a heat race to kick off Saturday’s program.

“We were really fast,” he said. “We finally got going and got the motor running.”

That lined him up on the inside of the fourth row for the main event. Unfortunately, Scelzi’s right front wheel became packed with mud in the opening laps while he was competing for a top five.

“We had a really bad vibration because of it,” he said. “I couldn’t race around anyone. It was ripping the wheel out of my hand. I got over the cushion and spun out. That made me go to the back. I got back up to around 10th, but got in the fence so I pulled off the track.”

Scelzi was credited with a 14th-place result.

“I want to thank Kyle for the opportunity,” he said. “It was cool to see a new track and I hope we get to work together in the future.”

Scelzi will take this weekend off before returning to action on June 10 at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford, Calif., in a winged sprint car.