While he's preparing to go after a second Funny Car win at Bristol Dragway, the four-time world champion also is anxiously awaiting his chance to take on the World's Fastest Half-Mile for the NHRA Circle Track Challenge on Saturday May 17.
Scelzi is just one of 18 NHRA drivers who will race all day at the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals then venture over to Bristol Motor Speedway for a 25-lap event that will test their circle track skills. He is looking forward to showcasing his talents in a Street Stock car.
"A few years ago, Bobby Matson was one of my bosses at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.," he said. "They had a birthday party for his wife in Bruton's suite, and while we were up there having a good time I took my kids and all the other kids up to the circle track in Bruton's Suburban and drove around Bristol. It was amazing how big of a bank that that place has. And you really have to get the speed up to get the thing up in the corners.
"So this is going to be something that is totally different than anything I have ever done. Bristol is like one of the best Cup races that you'll ever go to and to actually run a few laps around it is going to be fun too. And I mean no one has had any practice on Bristol. So it's going to be a bunch of green guys going around there and trying to make some action. So, that's another thing I'm looking forward to."
Selczi feels taking part in the Circle Track Challenge is something all of the NHRA drivers will truly enjoy.
"This kind of event is just so much fun because it breaks up the hecticness and all the pressures of the sponsor commitments and appearances and driving the race cars and winning and losing," he said. "This is just kind of a release and hopefully it sets the tone for the weekend and makes it all a fun, great, successful and safe weekend."
The starting lineup for the NHRA Circle Track Challenge will be determined by fan votes. Fans can go to www.bristoldragway.com to vote for their favorite drivers.
As for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Scelzi has long considered Bristol Dragway one of his preferred places to race.
"Bristol has always been one of my favorite places" said the 47-year-old Scelzi. "It's one of the most beautiful race tracks we go to, with the nitro engines echoing off the big mountains around there, a well-lit race track, great surface. You can go there and you can make some power.
"Some of these race tracks we go to it's always pull back, pull back, try to nurse the car down the race track, and Bristol is not one of those. Hopefully we can show just how much power we can make."
The NHRA Circle Track Challenge starts at 7 p.m. and is part of a five-race card at BMS Saturday evening, which concludes with a fireworks show after the Thompson Metal 150 UARA feature race. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
General admission tickets are $15 with children 12 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult. Anyone attending the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Saturday can show their ticket stub at the BMS gate and receive $5 off the ticket price.
Grandstand tickets are available for the O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Grandstand ticket pricing is as follows: Friday -- Sections A - D $30 Adult / $10 Junior; Sections E - U $35 Adult / $15 Junior; Thunder Terrace $35 Adult / $15 Junior, Saturday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior; Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior; Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Sunday -- Sections A - D $45 Adult / $15 Junior, Sections E - U $55 Adult / $25 Junior, Thunder Terrace $55 Adult / $25 Junior. Weekend combos are: Sections A - D $95 Adult / $30 Junior, Sections E - U $120 Adult / $50 Junior, and Thunder Terrace $120 Adult / $50 Junior.
Pricing for the Thunder Valley Club is $300 for the weekend for adults and $100 per child. Seating in Bruton's Suite is $450 per seat for the weekend.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Friday, May 16 at the Dragway with the first professional session slated to begin at 4 p.m. The second round begins later that evening at 6:30. Gates open Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 a.m. with the first round of pro qualifying set for 12:30 p.m., followed by the next round at 3 p.m.
Gates open Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m. with final eliminations starting at noon.
To purchase Thunder Valley Club seating, call the Bristol Motor Speedway ticket office at (423) 989-6900. To purchase Bruton's Suite seats, please call Kathy Artrip 989-6973. To purchase reserved grandstand seats, please call the ticket office at 989-6900 or visit www.bristoltix.com