After announcing that he will step away from NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series competition at the end of 2008 to take care of his family business and his family, Scelzi qualified the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in No. 15 for the 23rd annual NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.
Scelzi’s quickest elapsed time of the weekend came in the final qualifying round under a hot Texas sun, when he pulled out a solid 4.195-second elapsed time at 291.95 mph to take him out of a DNQ (did not qualify) position into No. 15.
His other laps were a 4.189/293.60 (No. 6), a 6.150/106.44 (No. 13-DNQ), and a 4.478/272.23 (DNQ).
“I sure didn’t want to add another DNQ to my career,” said Scelzi, who has suffered three this season. “With a 4.16 the quick of the round in that last session, we went 4.19. That’s not bad. We’ll see what happens. Hopefully, lane choice won’t to be too critical, but I’m sure we’re going to be in the right lane.
“But we’re racing and anything can happen.” Scelzi faces Ashley Force in the opening round of eliminations, who is sixth in the Countdown to 1 playoffs standings. Scelzi is not competing in the Countdown.
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