Scelzi No. 8 qualifier in Topeka

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 9 of 23
O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS
Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.)
Race Date: May 26-28, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

SCELZI NO. 8 QUALIFIER IN TOPEKA

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 27, 2006) - Gary Scelzi, the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag
Racing Series Funny Car champion, recorded three of four strong passes at
the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka to qualify the
Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T No. 8 in the Funny Car field.

Scelzi's only tire-smoking run came in the final session under the hottest
conditions of the weekend (11.581/73.83), with ambient temperatures in the
90s and track temperatures reaching 130 degrees.

The Fresno, Calif., native posted his quickest effort, of 4.905/245.18, in
the initial qualifying run on Friday, which was followed by a 4.973/245.18
and a 4.991/291.32 before that final attempt.

"Made it three out of four," he said. "On Friday night the car made a move
left and I was premature when I shut it off early, not wanting to take any
chances.

"The changes we made to the front of the Charger body make it a lot more
drivable," he said of the repairs and modifications made after the body was
damaged in Columbus. "But it's just going to be hell tomorrow. I mean,
130-degree track temperatures and a one -lane race track.

"The bumps are bad on the start in the left lane. The car hits the wheelie
bar and unloads and it's going to be a crapshoot tomorrow.

"This track has so many bumps in it that the car just chatters all the way
down the race track. The left lane is worse in the beginning. After the
first 60 feet both lanes are pretty equal. It's getting the car to go 60
feet without unloading and getting the driveshaft fast and controlling the
power.

"It's going to be a day from hell tomorrow."

Scelzi faces Frank Pedregon in first round of eliminations on Sunday.

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