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Gary Scelzi Motorsports' Brothers Dominic and Giovanni Keep Winning and Inspiring

Jun 14, 2012

After a recent mishap of his own, Giovanni was able to shake it off, and go on to again set fast time, and to win the feature going away.

It wasn't that long ago Gary Scelzi ruled the dragstrip as one of the most feared and respected NHRA Top Fuel drag racers of all time. Getting and staying on top was tough, but generally things were in Gary's hands, with him in control. These days he's long made peace with being recognized as Dominic and Giovanni's dad and that's great. Watching his genetically race-blessed sons redefine what young racers are capable of each time they hit the track is great. However, when things go amuck, as they will in racing, and Gary the dad can only watch, that's not so great, and a heck of a lot harder to deal with than anything he faced as a racer.

It's been a while, how have Dominic and Giovanni been doing? Let's start with the micros back in April at Plaza Park.

"The micro racing has been going well. Dominic has one win in the Super 600 class, but recently there has been a shortage of cars, so last weekend Dominic decided to run the non-wing class, which had over 20 cars in the class. Dominic qualified 4th on Saturday, and won the feature, and then came back on Sunday qualifying 2nd and won the feature again."

"Giovanni, on the other hand, had to sit out three races due to a concussion he received while swimming at a friend's house. Gio's race season has been incredible except for the concussion. He has set fast time at every race this year except for one, and his worst finish has been 2nd place. Last weekend he set fast time and was leading the main event comfortably when a lap car turned right in front of him, which sent Gio flipping through the air destroying the car. Fortunately, we have all the best safety equipment you can have, Hans Device, Hooker Safety belts, Simpson helmet, and Sparco Fire suit."

After clinching the 2011 ROY and Restricted 600 Class Champion at Lemoore Raceway, there's no sign of let-down in Giovanni driving this season.

"Gio was shaken, but not injured. After four hours of sleep, we replaced the rear-end, front-end, steering, top-wing, and steering box on Gio's car, and he went back after them on Sunday. I must admit after a hard crash like that, I was amazed and impressed that Giovanni drove the car just as hard as he did on Saturday night. He again set fast time, and won the feature going away."

How's the set-up going with Dominic's car, also has he spent anymore time in the Sprint Car and how's that going?

"Dominic is not chasing the points this year as we are trying to get him as many 360 sprint car races as possible. Dominic has only raced four races so far in the sprint car, with a 6th place finish, a 8th place finish, a blown motor, and a crash in the other. But, he is tied for fast time and won a heat race. So, all in all, I believe he is ahead of the curve."

At Dominic and Giovanni's age they must be growing and changing every few months, what do you see as the biggest changes in the way they approach racing from previous seasons?

"Giovanni has really matured this year, even at 10 years old he takes his racing seriously and he always seems to have a plan on how he is going to approach each race. I think a lot of his maturity comes from the closeness of his brother Dominic. They always talk about racing and watch other races on You Tube. Dominic, on the other hand, has always lived and breathed racing 24-7 and it's all he thinks about. His dream is to some day run with the World of Outlaws. For me, it is a matter of enjoying my boys and watching them progress. It reminds me when I was young and all I wanted to do was drag race. So all in all it's been fun and right now we are working on getting some more funding to run Dominic more races in the 360 for next year."

K&N News Update: Following this interview Gary and his sons headed to Watsonville, California for a Sprint Car event at Ocean Speedway. In the main event, with 5 laps remaining, Dominic went to the high-side in turns 3 and 4 and in the middle of the turn something broke in the steering sending him into the concrete wall and causing the car to flip several times. "The wreck did not look that bad as Dominic got out of the car and did an interview," remarked Gary, "But as he came back to the trailer and I talked to him, I could tell something was wrong. Dominic complained of a headache, upset stomach and sore back and neck, which prompted us to get him in an ambulance and send him to the hospital. The findings were a concussion, broken nose and a bruised heart, fortunately all will heal within the next couple of weeks. Thank God!"

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Taylor Ferns Gets Top-10 Finish in First Ever JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Race

Jun 13, 2012

Ferns will race the reminder of the 2012 season in her Midget and Silver Crown cars, and then next season she will race some ARCA Stock Car events.

There's a dictum that claims to be a champion you have to hate losing even more than you love winning. Accurate or not, it does appear to be a common denominator among winners. Although competitive toughness can be learned, true championship passion and fire seems to be passed along through DNA.

"My competitiveness comes from my family," said Michigan native Taylor Ferns. "We strive to be the best at whatever we do and we don't like losing. I was born into a racing family. My uncle raced stock cars at the local short tracks, and he did some ARCA racing, so it's in the blood."

Ferns is 16 years old and she has already logged a decade of racing experience. Her first ever race was in a Quarter Midget at a local track in Waterford; she was six at the time. Last season Ferns became the Most-Winning Female Driver in USAC history with her win at the Indianapolis Speedrome in the USAC D1/Regional Midget Series.

"After that we had a lot of bad luck," said Ferns, "But towards the end of the season we got some of it back and pulled off some solid finishes, and it was enough to win the USAC D1/Regional Midget Series championship, and I became the second female to ever win a USAC championship."

Taylor Ferns has amassed an impressive 10 year race resume and she's only 16 years old.

Earlier this year Ferns raced in her first ever JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race, the "Eric Sunders I Can I Will 100" and she posted an impressive 10th place finish. "The car was good the entire race except for at the end," remarked Ferns after the race. "I got a little garbage on my tires, and it made my car a little squirrely coming off the corners and tight into the center. Overall it was a good day. I think we had a top-5 car easy, and coming from 22nd up to 10th isn't that bad of a day for my first stock car race."

"I would say the toughest adjustment was just getting use to driving a much heavier car. I'm use to coming from open wheel racing, with the midgets and sprint cars weighing in at 900 to 1200 pounds, and with anywhere from 400 to 800 horsepower, so definitely hopping into that stock was a big adjustment just to get use to the different horsepower-to-weight ratio."

Ferns explains that her favorite part about stock car racing is that the races are longer and she gets to do more racing. "I really enjoy racing the 100 laps because as a driver I feel it's more of a team effort and you really have to have a lot of trust in your crew, because you're relying on your spotter to make sure he calls you clear when you are, and your crew chief has to make the right decisions so the car will be fast and hold up all race long, and you really need a solid strategy going into the race."

Her goals for 2012 are to stay consistent and have solid race finishes. "I don't like finishing in the back and I want to win and take that car to the front every time I get out on the track," she adds.

Given to dreams, where would Ferns like to see racing take her? "Honestly, racing is what I love to do. It's my number one passion and as long as I'm racing for the rest of my life, I'll be one happy girl. I enjoy racing on both dirt and pavement so whether that leads me to NASCAR, or Indycar or even the World of Outlaws, I'll be fine with that."

(Update: After the interview Taylor's mom, Linda said, "Taylor raced four races and things didn't work out well after the 4th race. We evaluated where we were and sat down with our sponsors and we all thought it was in Taylor's best interest to step away from Lorz Motor sports in the stock car. We are going to run the remainder of the season in her Midget and Silver Crown cars and some ARCA Stock Car racing next year.")

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Ryan Tuerck and Retaks Racing Qualify 1st at Formula DRIFT Round 1 in Long Beach

Jun 13, 2012

Ryan Tuerck has been in the drifting scene since the beginning of Formula D nine years ago.

Drift Racing has been popular among street racers in Japan for in the neighborhood of fifteen years. However, the Formula Drift (Formula D) series didn't come to be in the states until nine years ago. The first Formula Drift event took place at Road Atlanta, in April of 2004. Since then, the sport has continued to soar in popularity to a point that some of the Japanese drivers, who in their native country were revered as rock stars are here, pulled up roots and settled in the United States.

Ryan Tuerck has been on the drift scene here in the states since the Formula D started as a professional series. According to the driver, from the beginning of his career, the goal "has been to be one of the best on the series." Evidently, Tuerck has remained steadfast in his intentions, as the driver recently qualified in first place with a career high score of ninety-seven points at the "Streets of Long Beach," in Long Beach, California. Tuerck finished the weekend fifth overall in points out of a field of sixty drivers. "I am very happy with fifth place for the weekend," explained the driver. "It's the best the team and I have done all year, but I won't be satisfied until we are stepping up on that podium every round."

In front of a sold out crowd, an excess of ten-thousand fans, Tuerck and team Retaks Racing were anxious to get the event underway. Not only was it the season opener, but it was the driver's first opportunity to race in their LS-powered Nissan S13.5. Retaks racing and Ryan Tuerck had worked diligently to install upgrades to fit his driving style. It was finally time to put the car to the test and hopefully receive the bounties of their labor. "The key to success at this event was a lot of hard work and preparation," recalled Tuerck. "I believe I only slept about twenty hours in the entire week."

Ryan Tuerck and Retaks Racing are looking forward to a competitive season in Formula Drift during the 2012 season.

As one might suspect, although Tuerck and his team anticipated a successful outing, there were still uncertainties until the driver finally had the opportunity to get out on the track. "My confidence level wasn't low," explained Tuerck, "but it certainly was in question. There are always a lot of changes in the off-season, and you aren't always sure how they are going to work out until you get to the first round. We made a ton of changes to the car," he continued, "mainly the suspension set-up. KW Suspension helped us out a lot with their Variant 3, 3-way adjustable coilover system. We have a new wheel company that came on board, Fifteen52, to supply us with a ton of super-strong wheels. Maxxis Tires is one of the best upgrades to the car this year. In drifting, getting as much grip as possible while your tires are smoking is the key, and Maxxis is a great tire for that."

Ryan Tuerck and team Retaks Racing are also acutely aware that it is crucial to keep one's engine contaminant free. That said, they depend upon K&N to protect the internal components of their motors from dust and other matter while an ample amount of air and oil flow are still allowed to keep the engine running to its optimal performance.

"We are using the K&N intake and filter setup on our LS2 powered Nissan S13.5 explained the driver. "I am a firm believer that using K&N products will prolong my engine's life, while at the same time, giving me more reliable horsepower that I need on the track. Retaks has been using K&N products since they started in drifting. Maintenance is at the top of the list. If you don't take special care of something that you are torturing the entire time you are using it, then it's going to break immediately."

Ryan Tuerck is quick to credit his team for his success, "They're the most important piece to the puzzle, besides the car itself. If you don't have a solid, knowledgeable team behind you, then you are going to have a tough time."

Referring to what he enjoys most about drift racing, Ryan Tuerck explained, "I enjoy the complete recklessness of drifting; being in control of something that is completely out of control is somewhat comforting to me. It certainly demands some sort of finesse," he continued. "What separates drifting from other motorsports is that if you make one mistake, you are done for the weekend."

When asked what fans can expect from Ryan Tuerck in 2012 he explained, "Fans can expect to see me give them the best possible show at each and every round I come to. If you are at one of the Formula Drift events, make sure you come by the Retaks racing pit and check out the car." In closing Tuerck said, "If you like crashing, burnouts, and cars sliding sideways door to door, then this is the sport for you."

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Billy Wease Anticipates a Stellar Season in the Must See Xtreme Sprint Car Series

Jun 12, 2012

Wing racing is a lot more demanding on equipment, and you really have to keep a keen eye on parts that go on the car.

Billy Wease of Noblesville, Indiana, is no stranger to the sport of racing. In fact, throughout the years, Wease has driven USAC Sprint Cars, Midgets, and Silver Crown for Western Speed and K&N. That said, the driver is excited about this season, not only due to a passion for the sport of racing, but he is also eager to experience his first full season in the Must See Xtreme Sprint Car Series with the support of Jerry Powell Racing.

"Driving a pavement sprint car with a wing on it is one of the fastest cars out there," explained Wease. "It takes a lot of trust in the car to really go fast. The series is great. Must See Racing does an awesome job promoting the series and drivers. Every race this year, the stands have been pretty full, and that's a hard thing to do nowadays in short track racing. The series really takes good care of the owners and drivers. They also have a television deal with NBC Sports and Versus."

One might ponder what string of events lead Jerry Powell to inviting Wease to race on his team. According to the driver, the seed was likely planted during the Rumble in Fort Wayne Midget Race. "He came up to me after the race and asked me to drive his car this year in the Must See Series," recalled Wease. After seeing Powell's cars run well during previous outings, Wease welcomed the opportunity to fill the spot as a member of the team. "Getting Jerry his first pavement win would be really exciting," shared the driver. "Helping him become one of the top car owners on the series would be really awesome. He has high expectations of me, and I don't want to let him down."

When asked his thought on what would lead to success during the 2012 season, Wease said, "I think the key to success is hard work, and determination to get the cars driving really well and staying fast throughout the entire races. Working with the wing is a big key to gong fast in this series. You also have to be able to not have any issues with things breaking and putting you out of contention. Wing racing is a lot more demanding on equipment, and you really have to keep a keen eye on parts that go on the car."

The series really takes good care of the owners and drivers.

When asked about the outcome of the season thus far, Wease recalled rolling into Pensacola, Florida, where their first race of 2012 was scheduled. After finishing second in his heat, the car was obviously fast. Starting on the fifteenth position in the feature, Wease quickly maneuvered his way near the front of the field. Everything appeared to be going as planned until a broken waterline caused the driver to crash hard coming out of turn two, not only costing him his fourth place spot, but putting the team out of commission for the next two scheduled races.

The team has since returned to racing and has experienced their fair share of success. "This last race, the Payless Little 500 lap race at Anderson Speedway, really gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season," explained the driver. "We ended up finishing second, and came really close to winning it. We got the Rookie of the Race. That's probably one of the toughest races to win in the country."

Of course, Billy Wease's driving skills will prove essential if he and Powell intend to be contenders for the championship at the season's end. That said though, Wease is also quick to credit his team and explain that their performance is important as well. "My team plays a very important role in how we do each race. It's a team effort, and you have to have good guys going to the track with you, that know what's going on and can help get the car going in the right direction. It's really hard to do it by yourself."

Billy Wease is also acutely aware of the importance of maintenance and depends upon K&N products to keep his engine running debris free. "Maintenance is a huge key to success," he explained. "You really have to go to the race track prepared for anything to happen. You have to know your car, and understand how to do things in the proper fashion in order to avoid other problems."

Referring to keeping the internal parts of his engine clean, Wease continued, "I have been using K&N filters on my four-wheelers since I was thirteen years old. I have also used K&N filters on all of my vehicles since my first truck. K&N provides the most air flow of any filter on the market, which means more horsepower. I have never had a problem with any K&N product that I have used, and they do great work. Knowing that I have the best and lightest filters on the race car will be key, and I'll have the comfort of knowing that I won't have any problems, as K&N really makes quality products."

When asked his expectations for the remainder of the season, Billy Wease said, "Hopefully, some wins will come our way, and we'll get the monkey off of our back with all the bad luck we have had in the beginning races. I really pride myself on being a crowd pleaser, and hope to keep fans on their feet all race long!"

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Cassie Gannis is Making Her Mark in the K&N Pro Series West

Jun 12, 2012

Acquiring a passion for racing at a very young age, 20 year old Cassie Gannis has never looked back since driving her first quarter midget several years ago.

At the age of twenty, a lot of people are still in the process of choosing the direction they want to go with their lives. Cassie Gannis, on the other hand, seems to have already cleared that hurdle and is on her way to making her mark in the world of racing.

Cassie was introduced to the sport at a very young age. "My dad use to race Dwarf cars and IMCA's as a hobby," recalled Gannis. "When I saw him race, something just clicked for me. As a five year old, I was busy making a statement for Sun Devil Aquatics, but in my spare time, I was watching racing on TV."

The youngster was obviously bitten by the racing bug at an early age, and Cassie's passion never relented. In fact, although she continued to pursue the sport of swimming, Gannis was acutely aware that her true passion lurked within the world of racing.

"Although I was swimming competitively internationally over the next several years, all I wanted to do was race cars," recalled Cassie. "Seeing my interest in racing, my dad took me to South Mountain Park to watch the quarter midgets race. After months of reminding my dad that I wanted to race, he told me that if I read the rule books and learned all I could about the sport, he would see that I raced in a car. Determined to race, I learned all of the rules. My dad and I began with a used quarter midget; then we both put one together in the garage. As I began to win races, we bought a new car. I just knew that racing cars was my life passion."

Since kicking off her career in a quarter midget a number of years ago, Cassie Gannis has not looked back, and has seen her fair share of success. In fact, while previously racing her Whelen NASCAR Super Late Model at the Toyota Speedway, Gannis was offered an opportunity to drive for the GSR Racing team in the K&N West Pro Series there in 2011. That said, she gladly accepted the challenge. To date, the driver is embarking upon her first full season in the series and is making a run for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

"I received a wonderful reception from Joey Mancari and the officials," explained Gannis. "They really welcomed and encouraged me to come back. Then I went on to race in the series at Colorado National Speedway, and Spokane County Speedway."

Cassie Gannis is experiencing her first full season in the K&N West Pro Series.

When asked her thoughts on possibly earning the Rookie of the Year honors, Cassie said, "I think the key to acquiring Rookie of the Year is a combination of car performance, driver and team excellence. The award would be a true honor," she explained, "but my ultimate goal would be to experience an opportunity to grow as a competitive driver in the K&N West Series, and win a title for my sponsor."

Cassie Gannis understands that although her driving skills will prove essential, her car must remain in tip-top running condition if she plans to stand on the podium at the season's end. That in mind, she and her crew depend upon K&N products to ensure the internal components of their engine remain contaminant free. "Maintenance is essential," explained Gannis. "I have been using K&N products for six years. I use K&N air filters and fuel filters on my K&N West car. I use K&N air and oil filters on my Saturn Sky. I also use K&N air and oil filters on my classic baby, a 1973 black convertible GTO. They are quality, first-rate products," she continued. "They are the best filters out there."

Although winning championships is a goal that Cassie Gannis shares with her fellow drivers, she also has a huge conviction to give back to the community and the racing world. In fact, although pursuing higher education in veterinarian studies is time consuming, Cassie somehow manages to juggle her remaining hours in a manner that she can still have a social life, as well as meet her many other obligations. Gannis makes local TV and radio appearances focusing on all things NASCAR, teaches car safety classes and maintains her "No Texting and Driving" Program.

"Needless to say, I have a big calendar," shared Cassie. "My mom is instrumental in helping me keep all of my appearances straight. She enters everything into our computer calendar, which then sends me reminders. I also check my phone calendar every day. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

When asked if she considered herself as a role model for other drivers, Gannis replied, "Yes. There is a lot of attention on women drivers right now. Actions I make could reflect on other women trying to enter the sport. I am always sure to be professional, responsible and kind. I am currently working with Phoenix Girl Scouts on a project to encourage girls to think about professions usually occupied by men. Girls need to know that if they work hard and find their passion, they can do anything they put their minds to."

When asked what fans could expect from Cassie Gannis this season, she said, "They can expect more racing. They can expect me and my team to get better and better with each race. They will get more opportunities, meet and greets, to get to know me and my race car."

In closing, Cassie Gannis said, "I love everything about racing- preparing, arriving and spending the day at the track, practicing, qualifying and racing. There's nothing like the drop of the green flag."

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