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Scelzi Earns Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year Award

(Photo by DB3 Imaging)

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 15, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi is all smiles following his first-ever appearance at the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store.

Scelzi captured the coveted Rookie of the Year Award and he posted his first career top-five result last weekend at Knoxville Raceway during the Speed Sport Challenge event, which featured some of the top drivers from the United States, Canada and Australia.

“I’m really happy with the speed we had,” he said. “You can only win that award one time. To be able to do it means the world to me. This was one of those moments that will stick with me for a long time. This is the best year I’ve had yet and this was another thing to add to it. I’m very thankful for all the people who have supported me throughout the entire year.”

The Nationals began for Scelzi and his family owned, Roth Motorsports supported team last Thursday during preliminary competition. Scelzi qualified 22nd quickest out of approximately 50 drivers before he advanced from fourth to second place in a heat race to lock into the 10th starting position for the A Main.

“We qualified pretty good and we ran good in our heat race,” he said. “We were really good in the main event, but we got caught up with Jason Johnson in an early crash. We had a good first corner and got to eighth. I rolled the bottom in turns three and four and saw a car turning down the race track. Before I knew it we were together. It was unfortunate because it took us out of such a good starting position. We restarted in 24th. It’s so hard to pass cars as it is, but we had good restarts and a lot of speed. Had we been able to miss that wreck I think we had a shot at running in the top five.”

Scelzi rebounded from the early crash to charge from the back to a 14th-place result. Once preliminary night points were calculated Scelzi ranked 26th out of more than 100 drivers, which earned him the final lock-in position to Saturday’s B Main.

It also made Friday an easier night when he only needed to concentrate on the Speed Sport Challenge, which he started on the outside of the third row.

“We got a really good start and right up to third,” he said. “The track was slick and wide. I was running on the bumper of (James) McFadden and Johnson. We ran third the entire race until coming to the white flag when Brad Sweet got us. It was really neat to run that strong at such a prestigious event.”

Scelzi’s fourth-place result added momentum to the team as it entered the Knoxville Nationals finale on Saturday. Scelzi started the B Main on the outside of the fifth row.

“We gained some positions right away, but I had to check up for another car and got over the cushion,” he said. “I fell back a few spots. As the race went we started slowing down. We had some sort of mechanical issue. I went into save mode and was trying to stay out of everyone’s way.”

Scelzi closed the night with a 16th-place result in the B Main, which was the best finish out of the talented crop of rookies who tackled the event.

Scelzi will take the momentum to North Dakota this weekend as he tackles a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tripleheader on Friday at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks; on Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo; and on Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot.

QUICK RESULTS –

Aug. 10 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 22; Heat race: 2 (4); Feature: 14 (10).

Aug. 11 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Speed Sport Challenge: 4 (6).

Aug. 12 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – B Main: 16 (10).

SEASON STATS –

44 races, 2 wins, 6 top fives, 12 top 10s, 19 top 15s, 30 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D.; and Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot, N.D., with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicScelzi41

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41

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 – Fuel Delivery Services, Inc.

Based in Stockton, Calif., Fuel Delivery Services, Inc., is a premier bulk transporter of refined petroleum products. For more information, visit http://www.FuelDeliveryServices.net.

“Mike with Fuel Delivery Services is a great guy who wants to see us do well and make it in racing,” Scelzi said. “We really appreciate his support and look forward to the continued success with Fuel Delivery Services.”

Scelzi would also like to thank Whipple Superchargers, Carlucci Transport, Red Rose Transportation, Inc., Scelzi Enterprises, Panella Trucking, Roth Motorsports, Red Line Oil, NAPA Auto Parts, Todd Jorgensen, Weld Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, FK Rod Ends, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Sparco, Simpson Race Products, Worldwide Bearings, Blast Tech, K&N Filters, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Meridian Steel, Kenny’s Components, Lincoln Auto Auction, Auto Meter, Allstar Performance, DJS Safe Seats, Arctic Cat and Southern Pacific Farms 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.

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