Scelzi extends points lead in Chicago

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 20 of 23
Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
Race Dates: Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2005


JOLIET, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2005) - The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car
championship continues to be a pot-boiler, as the top-five positions changed
once again following today's Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals at Route 66
Raceway. The only thing that didn't change was the leader.

To put it concisely, after losing to Tony Pedregon in the semifinal, Gary
Scelzi leaves the track with a 43-point lead, following a first-round loss
by Robert Hight, a second-round exit of Eric Medlen, and a semifinal
dismissal of John Force. Scelzi's teammate Ron Capps jumped into third after
winning his second event of the year.

The new order: Scelzi, Force, Capps, Hight and Medlen.

Scelzi first defeated Mike Ashley (4.773/325.06 to 4.820/325.45), then Del
Worsham (4.773/325.06 to 4.830/322.34) before he met up with Reading, Pa.,
winner Pedregon in the semis. Pedregon took off with a .065 light to
Scelzi's even .100. It was close, but it was Pedregon first across the
finish line with a 4.770/319.90 to Scelzi's losing 4.772/326.71.

"I'm not trying to make this Funny Car championship chase so close," said
Scelzi, with a laugh.

"There's no question about it. Tony has really run well this whole weekend.
When I saw Capps go 4.796 in his semifinal win against John Force, I put it
in thin to try to get lane choice again (in the final) and I had a .100 flat
light, which is good. Tony rolled it in, had a .065. It was a hell of a drag
race.

"As long as you keep leaving the races with more points than you had when
you got here, you're doing your job. Yeah, we're making it exciting for
everybody. It looks like we're starting to make a little distance, and
that's a good thing."

Next up is the re-scheduled O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas, Texas,
Oct. 7-9, 2005.

FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Gary Scelzi, 1326
2. John Force, 1283
3. Ron Capps, 1281
4. Robert Hight, 1256
5. Eric Medlen, 1226
6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 1135
7. Whit Bazemore, 1075
8. Tony Pedregon, 1054/1074
9. Del Worsham, 1032
10. Cruz Pedregon, 931