ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Giovanni Scelzi drove the No. 16 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry to his first ARCA Menards Series West win on Friday night at All American Speedway.
“This is unreal. To drive this car and start the year with no experience is a tall feat. I’d never thought I’d get here. It can’t be much sweeter,” Scelzi said.
Scelzi pounced on the 124th lap of the race, diving inside Taylor Gray for the lead coming to the white flag. After side-by-side contact on the front stretch, Gray spun with a flat left-rear tire while Scelzi dashed ahead for the win.
The victory came during the 22nd appearance for the West Series in Roseville and the first time under the ARCA banner.
Gray battled side-by-side on several restarts with Virginia’s Mason Diaz. The bottom proved to be the preferred line throughout the battle. The top-five contenders lined up nose-to-tail including eighth starting Gracie Trotter who had driven into the third position.
A debris caution slowed the action on lap 105. Diaz fell to third on the restart as he got loose on the outside line. The caution fell again for debris on lap 110.
A multi-car skirmish ensued on the following restart as the field raced into turn three. Trevor Huddleston got into the back of Diaz while Trotter tangled with Loomis’ Jack Wood.
Scelzi restarted second for the final restart, challenging Gray before the decisive maneuver on lap 124. Todd Souza avoided the spinning Gray to finish second ahead of Huddleston, incoming points leader Jesse Love and Blaine Perkins.
In other action, Roy Smith (super stocks) and Matthew Fuhs (F4) also earned their first wins of the year while Jason Philpot won his sixth Jaws Gear & Axle Limited Modified race of the season.
The finish:
Giovanni Scelzi, Todd Souza, Trevor Huddleston, Jesse Love, Blaine Perkins, Holley Hollan, Taylor Gray, Jack Wood, Takuma Koga, Gracie Trotter, Bridget Burgess, Mason Diaz.