Team Mopar’s Scelzi to Step Away at End of 2008 NHRA Season

Team Mopar driver and four-time NHRA world champion Gary Scelzi announced last week that he will step down from NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series competition at the end of the 2008 season.

Scelzi, a one-third partner with his brothers Jim and Mike in Scelzi Enterprises, a custom truck body manufacturing company based in his hometown of Fresno, Calif., said he will concentrate on maintaining and growing the family business.

The California native joined Team Mopar and Don Schumacher Racing in the Funny Car class in 2003 after capturing three Top Fuel championships (1997, 1998, 2000). In 2005, driving the HEMI-powered Mopar/Oakley Dodge for DSR, he also claimed his first Funny Car crown.

Scelzi has also spent a great deal of time this year supporting his sons Dominic (11) and Giovanni (6) in their Restricted Mini Sprint and Junior Sprint racing and would like to regularly attend their events.

“Racing every weekend from March to November with my kids is going to be pretty gratifying, and going to the baseball games that I’ve been watching on tape is going to be gratifying,” said Scelzi.

“Since 2003, Gary has been a great ambassador for our Mopar brand behind the wheel of the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car,” said Sunil Lahoti, Senior Manager – Mopar Marketing and Strategy. “He’s always worked diligently at track success as well as ensuring Mopar’s success with our customers, dealers and fans. His racing career is filled with many accomplishments and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Gary will remain a cherished part of our Mopar family.”