SCELZI SETS HIS QUICKEST PASS OF SEASON, SCORES NO. 12 IN GATEWAY QUALIFYING

MADISON, Ill. (May 3, 2008) - Gary Scelzi, the winningest driver at Gateway International Raceway (three Top Fuel wins, one Funny Car) set his quickest pass of the season today while qualifying No. 12 for the NHRA Midwest Nationals.

Except for a slow 11.533-second, 71.88 mph pass in the third session today, Scelzi raced the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to a string of consistent laps, with his best a 4.804/317.94 in the final round under cool and windy conditions. The others were a 4.861/308.92 and a 4.819/320.13

"Well, it's the quickest we've been in the Hadman car," said Scelzi. "It's the quickest we've been all year long. The Mopar/Oakley Dodge is handling great. It's staying in the middle of the groove, even with the wind and all the rest of the stuff. And Todd (Okuhara, crew chief) is just kind of playing with it.

"What a field. Man, besides Wilkerson's (No. 1) 4.744, everybody is jammed in there between a .79 and an. 81," added Scelzi of the 16-car field that is separated by a mere .08 of a second. "It's going to be interesting tomorrow. It's anybody's game. It's almost like racing Pro Stock. So, I like our chances. I feel good. I've had good luck here before; I hope we have good luck tomorrow."

Scelzi faces Cruz Pedregon in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.