Scelzi takes fifth in Texas Friday qualifying

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2004 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 20 of 23
O'REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS
TEXAS MOTORPLEX
DALLAS, TEXAS
RACE DATES: Sept. 24-26, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SCELZI TAKES FIFTH SPOT IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING IN ENNIS

ENNIS, Texas (Sept. 24, 2004) - After smoking the tires in the first round
of qualifying, Gary Scelzi found himself in 18th as he came up to the
starting line in the fourth pairing for the second session. Saturday's
weather at the Texas Motorplex for the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals was
still in question, and the driver of the HEMI-powered Oakley Dodge Stratus
who is seeking his first Funny Car crown was focused on getting into the
field.

His pass produced a 4.851-second elapsed time at 320.28 mph, which was low
ET at that point and the fastest speed, placing him in No. 1.

Six pairs later, Scelzi dropped to No. 5, but Scelzi and the team were
pleased with the results.

"We gave up a lot early," said the three-time Top Fuel champion, "but we
couldn't take the chance of smoking the tires again. We don't know what the
weather is going to be like tomorrow.

"We're pretty happy with that. The speed is back, 320 mph. We could make it
go quicker if the conditions warranted it, but I don't I think we're going
to see these (cooler, evening) conditions tomorrow and Sunday. If the cloud
cover comes in and gets cooler, we can do this and more.

"So, we're OK, we're fine."

Two more qualifying sessions are set for Saturday.

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