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Scelzi Finds Fall Nationals Glory With Last Lap Pass

CHICO, CA (9-30-16) - 42 Winged 360 Sprint Cars signed into the Pit Area for Night #1 of the 25th Annual Fall Nationals. This is the 4th straight year the event has honored the late Stephen Allard who we lost in December of 2012. Night One did not disappoint as we saw a last lap pass for the win, and plenty of other exciting action throughout the night.

Paradise, CA driver Kyle Hirst led the field down to the Green Flag in the Finley Farms #77, alongside Hirst was Dominic Scelzi behind the wheel of the Harley Van Dyke #5H. Kyle Hirst would get the jump at the drop of the Green Flag as he would shoot out into the early race lead. With a couple of early Yellow Flags in the first half of the race, Andy Forsberg would challenge Hirst on the restarts but Kyle was able to drive away as the laps clicked off. On Lap 20 Kyle Hirst was in thick lapped traffic that allowed Forsberg to close in. It looked as though Forsberg would have a chance to steal the win away from Hirst. That is until Kyle made a daring move into turn one going three wide through the middle to split the lapped cars and distance himself from the second place car. Kyle Hirst was well on his way to victory, until disaster struck as he was coming off turn four to take the white flag. He was directly behind the slower car of Ryan Bernal, when Bernal made a mistake and looped the car leaving Hirst with no place to go. They would both come to a stop, thus ending Hirst's chances at picking up the Victory. That would turn the lead over to Andy Forsberg who had been running second all night long. Dominic Scelzi though lurked in the 2nd position and was ready to pounce with just two laps remaining in the race. When the green flag went back in the air Forsberg went to the bottom into turn one. Scelzi ripped around the outside of the track. He was able to pull even with Forsberg through the middle of the corner but didn't have the grip on the exit of two to maintain the pace to drive around Forsberg. He tried it again in three and four but the bottom of the racetrack was really strong down there as Forsberg pulled away. The white flag flew and Scelzi gave it one more run around the outside of one and two. This time the momentum propelled him all the way around Forsberg down the back straightaway. Forsberg tried to get to the bottom before Scelzi but the momentum was too much as Dominic raced through the final set of corners and down to the Checkered Flag for his First Career Win at the Silver Dollar Speedway.

"It's such a cool feeling to get my first win here, and with Harley Van Dyke, I just want to thank everyone who has helped out and support me. It feels great." stated a jubilant Scelzi in Victory Lane.

Andy Forsberg would settle for a second place finish on the night, while young up and comer Chase Majdic piloted the Chuck Wolf Sand & Gravel #19 to a podium finish in the third spot. That team has been really fast since Majdic took over the wheel, look for them to compete on many occasions next season. DJ Netto finished in the 4th spot in the Tri-C Machine, Netto Ag #3C. Justin Sanders rounded out the Top Five in the Rudy Warrington #18.

The night began with each of the 42 cars making single car Qualifying attempts around the speedway. Just a couple weeks ago during the Gold Cup Mitchell Faccinto set a new track record in Qualifying with a lap of 11.419 seconds around the � mile oval. That record however lasted all of 23 days. As Andy Forsberg burned off a lap around the Silver Dollar Speedway in 11.406 seconds to set a New Track Record for 360 Sprint Cars. Heat Race Wins went to Dominic Scelzi, Chase Majdic, Kyle Hirst, and Mason Moore. Kyle Hirst dominated the Dash. Kalib Henry had a rough night as they could not get the motor running correctly, he did however pick up the C-Main Event Victory to move into the B-Main. While Brad Furr Won the B-Main event moving him into the Feature.

The Economy Sprint Cars joined the 360's during the Night One action. We saw Cameron Haney make the late race pass on Jeff Macedo to pick up his first victory of the year. Macedo would settle for 2nd after leading the majority of the race. Silver Dollar Speedway Champion Wyatt Brown finished in the 3rd position. While Chris Story and Scott Gannett rounded out the Top Five. Wyatt Brown won the lone Heat Race for the Division earlier in the night.

We return to the Silver Dollar Speedway for the final time in 2016 tonight for Night Two of the Fall Nationals a Tribute to Stephen Allard. With added money to the purse the field is expected to grow and the action will be even more intense. Along with the 360 Sprint Cars, tonight will feature the Wingless Spec Sprints as well. The Pit Gate is scheduled to open at 2:00pm. While the Front Gate will open at 5:00pm with Qualifying set to begin at 6:00pm. For ticket information please visit our website at www.silverdollarspeedway.com.

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