Scelzi Brothers Dominic & Giovanni Clinch 2011 Lemoore Raceway Championships

Older brother Dominic flat-out dominated the Super 600 Class with 11 wins on his way to earning the Lemoore championship.
Older brother Dominic flat-out dominated the Super 600 Class with 11 wins on his way to earning the Lemoore championship.
With every Gary Scelzi Motorsports race report during the past couple of years, there's been marked and measureable growth in brothers Dominic and Giovanni, not only on the racetrack, but as young men under construction. And with this installment that K&N Race News trend continues. Dominic and Giovanni have marked 2011 as yet another Scelzi Motorsports banner year by both winning the Lemoore Raceway Championship in their divisions. We have established the obvious genetic and fatherly contributions, Gary Scelzi, one of the most dominant NHRA Top Fuel drag racers ever, brings to table. So this time we asked mom, the other half of the Scelzi brothers production team, for her perspective.
Giovanni Scelzi is the 2011 ROY and Restricted 600 Class Champion at Lemoore Raceway.
Giovanni Scelzi is the 2011 ROY and Restricted 600 Class Champion at Lemoore Raceway.


"I am so proud of Dominic and Giovanni, they have stayed focused, and worked very hard for their racing successes," said Julianne. "There is not a day that goes by that they are not watching some form of sprint car racing, along with watching their own races that I tape. They watch them over-and-over looking for ways to be better and faster, checking to see what mistakes they may have made. They study each race, looking to be better in the next one, it amazes me to listen to them while they watch. They analyze each other's car setup and driving jobs. Is the car tight, or is it loose? Can they enter the corner different next time depending on the track? What is the best timing for a clean slide job? It's like listening to grown men. They both have a passionate love for racing and they love to win! I am so happy for both of them, we are blessed."

Heading into the last points race at Lemoore, Dominic pretty much already had the championship wrapped up with a 40 point lead, but that didn't slow down the "Dominator." Dominic hammered his Pace Chassis to not only to qualify first, but he also broke his own track record. He next won his Heat and then from the drop of the green flag, Dominic rolled unchallenged, as he led all thirty laps en route to his eleventh race victory, and the 2011 Lemoore Raceway Super 600 Class Championship. This was only Dominic's second year in the Super 600 Class and with his 11 victories, he topped that class this year. At only 14-years-old Dominic displayed maturity and experience well beyond his age.

Giovanni "Hot Sauce" Scelzi didn't have it as easy as his older brother on the way to his championship. Gio, a rookie at age nine, was 15 points behind the leader, so he had his work cut out for him. However, just like his brother he refused to be denied, as he too qualified No. 1, and also broke the track record. He started on the pole and led every lap of his Heat Race. And just like his brother, Gio led every lap of his Main Event, and on the last lap for good measure, he lapped the points leader to win the 2011 Lemoore Raceway Restricted 600 Class Championship by a mere four points.

Anyone that's seen Gio win, live or on the internet, knows he normally doesn't get to worked up in victory lane, "When he got out of the car this time he was jumping up-and-down and he was more excited than I have ever seen him," said dad. "The only other time that I remember anyone winning Rookie of the Year and the championship, was when I won the Top Fuel Championship in 1997, just thought I would throw that in there."

"I think it's being a dad that makes me so excited about my boys racing period, whether they win or lose," added Gary. "Racing just brings closeness to me and my boys that you don't get from stick and ball sports. There is a lot of emotion when they do good or bad, and that's just something you can't describe."

Giovanni is actually a year too young to be in the division that he just won the championship in, so he won't be moving up anytime soon. "Dominic on the other hand will be racing a 360 Winged Sprint Car next year at least a dozen times," Gary told K&N Race News. "I just purchased a car and we are currently looking for funding to run it next year."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.