THE LATEST ON SCELZI
Wed, 2007-09-05 16:18
We caught up with Pro Stock and Top Fuel team owner Ken Black to ask him
about the latest involving Gary Scelzi’s possible return next season.
He said, “Well, all I’m going to do for next year is that I’ve agreed to
fly him to and from about 10 races next year to help him spend more
time with his family For next year that’s all we’ve got going.
“Our other deal fell through, so we’re just puling back and regrouping. I met with Don Schumacher this morning and we discussed it, and he’s willing to help me with anything he can in pursuit of a Funny Car team that we’re probably going to put on hold until 2009. That was my original plan.
“My understanding is that Gary will continue to drive for Don, with Todd Okuhara tuning the car, and in the meantime we’ll try to put our own team together for 2009 with Gary driving and a certain other party as crew chief that fell through.” We caught up with Pro Stock and Top Fuel team owner Ken Black to ask him about the latest involving Gary Scelzi’s possible return next season. He said, “Well, all I’m going to do for next year is that I’ve agreed to fly him to and from about 10 races next year to help him spend more time with his family For next year that’s all we’ve got going.
“Our other deal fell through, so we’re just puling back and regrouping. I met with Don Schumacher this morning and we discussed it, and he’s willing to help me with anything he can in pursuit of a Funny Car team that we’re probably going to put on hold until 2009. That was my original plan.
“My understanding is that Gary will continue to drive for Don, with Todd Okuhara tuning the car, and in the meantime we’ll try to put our own team together for 2009 with Gary driving and a certain other party as crew chief that fell through.”
Black admitted that Jimmy Prock had been the preferred tuner, but he opted to honor his contract with John Force Racing, although Force did apparently offer to release him if he wanted to go. Prock decided to stay, and that sort of put everything on at least temporary hold. “It’s no secret we were talking to Jimmy Prock,” Black said. “He elected to stay with John, so we’ll pursue him for 2009. I’ve let everyone know I’m still interested in him.”
So, utilizing one of the two Citation jets that Black and two other Las Vegas businessmen share ownership in, he will transport Scelzi back and forth to 10 races. The questions now include, What happens with the other 14 races, and does that mean a part-time season for Scelzi. If that’s the case, would Schumacher put someone else in the car for those additional races, or would Scelzi be willing to fly commercial, thereby spending more time away from home than he’s appeared unwilling to do until now. This situation would appear to be far from concluded.
“Our other deal fell through, so we’re just puling back and regrouping. I met with Don Schumacher this morning and we discussed it, and he’s willing to help me with anything he can in pursuit of a Funny Car team that we’re probably going to put on hold until 2009. That was my original plan.
“My understanding is that Gary will continue to drive for Don, with Todd Okuhara tuning the car, and in the meantime we’ll try to put our own team together for 2009 with Gary driving and a certain other party as crew chief that fell through.” We caught up with Pro Stock and Top Fuel team owner Ken Black to ask him about the latest involving Gary Scelzi’s possible return next season. He said, “Well, all I’m going to do for next year is that I’ve agreed to fly him to and from about 10 races next year to help him spend more time with his family For next year that’s all we’ve got going.
“Our other deal fell through, so we’re just puling back and regrouping. I met with Don Schumacher this morning and we discussed it, and he’s willing to help me with anything he can in pursuit of a Funny Car team that we’re probably going to put on hold until 2009. That was my original plan.
“My understanding is that Gary will continue to drive for Don, with Todd Okuhara tuning the car, and in the meantime we’ll try to put our own team together for 2009 with Gary driving and a certain other party as crew chief that fell through.”
Black admitted that Jimmy Prock had been the preferred tuner, but he opted to honor his contract with John Force Racing, although Force did apparently offer to release him if he wanted to go. Prock decided to stay, and that sort of put everything on at least temporary hold. “It’s no secret we were talking to Jimmy Prock,” Black said. “He elected to stay with John, so we’ll pursue him for 2009. I’ve let everyone know I’m still interested in him.”
So, utilizing one of the two Citation jets that Black and two other Las Vegas businessmen share ownership in, he will transport Scelzi back and forth to 10 races. The questions now include, What happens with the other 14 races, and does that mean a part-time season for Scelzi. If that’s the case, would Schumacher put someone else in the car for those additional races, or would Scelzi be willing to fly commercial, thereby spending more time away from home than he’s appeared unwilling to do until now. This situation would appear to be far from concluded.
Categories:
