Scelzi out in first round in Denver

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2004 POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 13 of 23
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY
Morrison, Colo.
Race Dates: July 16-18, 2004



MORRISON, Colo. (July 18, 2004) - No. 15 qualifier Gary Scelzi had a tough
competitor in the other lane in today's Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. It
was reigning NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion Tony
Pedregon and Scelzi knew he had to pull out a good lap to win. Scelzi nailed
his launch with a .052 reaction time in his HEMI-powered Oakley Dodge
Stratus to Pedregon's .071, and it looked like he was on a clear path to the
finish stripe. 

At the 200-ft. mark, however, the car smoked the tires and Scelzi struggled
to finish with a 6.693/143.14 pass. No. 2 qualifier Pedregon also smoked the
tires, but further down the quarter-mile and managed to take the win light
with a 5.473/258.96 pass.

"It was unfortunate," said Scelzi, "but these things happen. Different
combination, different tires. We will dust ourselves off and go to Seattle.

"It would have been great to have done better at this Mopar-sponsored race,"
he said, "but even the HEMI power in our Dodge Stratus didn't pull us
through this one. Racing at Bandimere is always a challenge."

With his teammate Whit Bazemore also going out in the first round, as well
as second in points Del Worsham, Scelzi holds on to his fourth place in the
Funny Car point standings. John Force, first in points, was dismissed in the
second round today.

Next up is the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Seattle, Wash., July
23-25.

FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:

1. John Force, 916
2. Del Worsham, 889
3. Whit Bazemore, 859
4. Gary Scelzi, 802
5. Eric Medlen, 766
6. Gary Densham, 753
7. Phil Burkart Jr. (734) - winner today

***