NHRA's Scelzi to be Inducted into Wall of Fame

NHRA's Scelzi to be Inducted into 

Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame

 

SONOMA, Calif. (July 3, 2007) - Gary Scelzi has posted a memorable
career in the Sonoma Valley, both on-and-off the world-famous
quarter-mile drag strip, and he will be recognized for his efforts at
the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, July 27-29.

            

Scelzi will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on
Sunday, July 29, during pre-event ceremonies, making him the third NHRA
driver to be enshrined. He'll join Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson
(2005) and Funny Car driver John Force (2006) in the Wall of Fame, which
was created in 2005. 

 

Other members of the Wall of Fame include Jeff Gordon, Ricky Rudd, Rusty
Wallace and Mark Martin from NASCAR, as well as O. Bruton Smith,
Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns Infineon Raceway.

 

Scelzi has posted a legendary career in the Sonoma Valley, both in the
sportsman ranks, as well as the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. He has
two national event wins in Top Alcohol Funny Car, and one divisional win
in Top Alcohol Dragster. The Fresno native is also a two-time winner in
Sonoma in the pro ranks for Funny Car (2003, 2005). His victory in 2005
helped propel him to the NHRA POWERade Funny Car championship.

 

"When you look at the names that are on the Wall of Fame I am shocked,"
said Scelzi, who drives the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger Funny Car for Don
Schumacher Racing. "I've been racing out there in Sonoma since 1984 and
that place is very special to me. It's close to home (Fresno) and for
whatever reason, I seem to have more success there than anywhere else,
whether it's the pro ranks or sportsman. I am very flattered and this is
going to be a special weekend for me."

 

Scelzi is also being recognized for his philanthropic efforts at
Infineon Raceway. He has participated in all five NHRA Tour de Charity
events, held annually at Infineon Raceway. The event allows race fans to
compete against NHRA POWERade drivers on the raceway's world-class
karting track; the event has generated more than $50,000 since its
inception in 2002 for Speedway Children's Charities, the charitable arm
of Infineon Raceway.

 

"I always agree to do the charity events not for anything other than I
want to help," Scelzi said. "The money always goes to a great cause and
they are also really fun events. Whenever Infineon Raceway puts on an
event you know it's going to be first-class."

 

Scelzi has also donated signed memorabilia to the raceway's charity
auctions and he also participated in the raceway's inaugural Nitro Night
at the Fior Charity Dinner, which is held on Thursday before race
weekend in San Francisco. 

 

"Gary Scelzi has built a terrific legacy in Sonoma, through both his
success on the track and the commitment he's made to our fans and
community.  He will be a very fitting addition to the Infineon Raceway
Wall of Fame," said Steve Page, president and general manager at
Infineon Raceway.

 

Scelzi has announced that he will take a sabbatical from the NHRA
POWERade Drag Racing Series after the 2007 season, but he has left the
door open for a return to the cockpit. For his career, he is a
three-time Top Fuel national champion and he is just one of 13 drivers
to win national events in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Scelzi also
became the first Funny Car driver to eclipse the 330 mph barrier (2004,
Chicago).

 

The Wall of Fame includes competitors from all forms of motor racing at
Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR, NHRA, AMA, open-wheel cars, sports
cars, and more. The Wall of Fame will also include those who have made
significant contributions to the raceway over the years. A raceway
committee oversees the selection process on an annual basis. 

 

 

FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals

WHAT: FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals

WHEN: July 27-29

CIRCUIT: Quarter-mile drag strip

2006 TOP QUALIFIERS: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny
Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle)

2006 WINNERS: JR Todd (Top Fuel); Eric Medlen (Funny Car); Jason Line
(Pro Stock); Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

NOTABLE: This marks the 20th anniversary of the FRAM Autolite NHRA
Nationals at Infineon Raceway. 

TICKETS: $45-$60 single day/$135 weekend; parking is FREE

MORE INFORMATION:  800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or 
www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/>  

 

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