MOPAR/OAKLEY DODGE FUNNY CAR DISQUALIFIED IN NORWALK


NORWALK, Ohio (June 28, 2008) - The Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by four-time NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series champion Gary Scelzi was disqualified from the Second Annual NHRA Nationals today following the first qualifying round, in which he posted a 5.001-second elapsed time at 284.87 mph, good for No. 7 in the field.

Melanie Troxel's Funny Car team was also disqualified - according to an NHRA press note which was issued - "after NHRA Tech Officials discovered loose ballast in their cars following their qualifying runs. According to page 74 of the NHRA Rule Book, 'any material used for the purpose of racing must be permanently attached to the car's body or above the rear tires. No liquid or loose ballast permitted. Discovery of loose or disguised ballast will result in disqualification from the event, regardless of whether infraction occurs during qualifying or eliminations."

Said Scelzi: "What I was told by the NHRA was that we weren't underweight and we weren't illegal other than the weight wasn't bolted in the car. They're not just throwing the run out, they're throwing us out of the event, because that's what it says in the rulebook, according to what we've been told.

"The car was 15 pounds heavy, It had five pounds of loose ballast in it because the [official] scales vary so much from run to run. I don't think the penalty fits the crime. To throw us out of the event I feel is a little bit harsh."

Only two qualifying rounds were held, as Friday's qualifying sessions were cancelled due to water seepage.

Next up for Scelzi is the 29th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals, July 11-13.