Cannon Meets Scelzi in First Round

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Round 15 of 23
Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, Calif.
Race Dates: Aug. 1-3, 2003

Contact: Judy Stropus 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438

CANNON MEETS HIS OAKLEY TEAMMATE IN FIRST ROUND

SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2003) - There's only one problem with multi-car
teams: chances are good that you'll have to meet your teammate in one of the
final eliminations rounds. That's what happened today to the Oakley boys
Scotty Cannon and Gary Scelzi, as they found themselves in a match-up in the
first round of final eliminations at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals at
Infineon Raceway.

This would be a tough race for both, as each was seeking his first career
Funny Car win. Scelzi's car, however, was a rocketship this weekend, which
was proven by his establishing a track top speed record during qualifying.
Cannon, No. 12 in qualifying, conceded to that fact, but was still bent on
defeating his teammate, who had qualified fifth.

Cannon's reaction time was a tick quicker than Scelzi's, but it was Scelzi
all the way with a 4.899/316.97 pass to Cannon's tire-smoking 7.041/119.08.

"The bottom line is he's got the best car here and we knew when we had to
run him that he had the best car," said Cannon, of Lyman, S.C., who is also
the crew chief on his car. "We weren't just going out there to run 5.0; I
was trying to run mid-90s. It didn't make it. What can I say? I'll go to the
next race and try to figure something out."

Scelzi went on to win his first Funny Car event of his career and his
teammate was happy for his Oakley partner. "That's great. It's a good deal,"
said Cannon. "That team deserved the win and I'm happy that Oakley was in
the winner's circle. Jim Jannard of Oakley I'm sure is a very happy man
right now."

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