FRESNO, Calif. — Giovanni Scelzi is bound for the Midwest to tackle four races with the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 this weekend.
Scelzi, who is driving a family car, will make his debut at Lawton (Okla.) Speedway on Thursday before moving on to Red Dirt Raceway in Meeker, Okla., Outlaw Motor Speedway in Oktaha, Okla., and 81 Speedway in Park City, Kan., during the Cometic Gasket Thunder Through the Plains presented by Hercules Tires.
“We’re making some changes with the race car this week and we have four nights to learn so there’s nothing better than racing night after night,” he said. “Hopefully we can find the perfect balance in the race car on Thursday. Once you get that you can just tune on it here and there.”
Less than half of Scelz’s races this season have been on pavement, giving him only seven starts in a winged sprint car. However, he has earned three second-place finishes, four top fives and five top 10s in those seven races.
“I haven’t been able to run much sprint car stuff this year,” he said. “I think a realistic goal is to run in the top five. We want to find a good balance and be able to contend each night.”
Scelzi noted that his tentative debut with car owner Guy Forbrook is now scheduled to begin June 12-13 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway.