Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi wins 62nd Johnny Key Classic

WATSONVILLE — Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi has been racking up the wins over the last few seasons. He added another one with historical significance Saturday night by claiming the SCCT vs. Ocean Sprints sanctioned 62nd Johnny Key Classic.

It marked Scelzi’s second triumph of the year at Ocean Speedway and the sixth of his career with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards. It moves him into sole possession of second place on the all-time SCCT win list.

Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi celebrates winning the 62nd Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway on Saturday night. (Paul Trevino – Special to the Sentinel)

“It feels really nice to get back up here in victory lane,” Scelzi said. “A lot of great drivers over the years have won the Johnny Key Classic, so it’s special to add my name to that list. Last year I ran second to Shane Golobic at this race and tonight the roles were reversed. I have to thank my entire team, all our sponsors and my family for their support. My parents were able to make it tonight, so I’m glad we could get a win for them.”

After claiming the fast dash, Scelzi jumped into the lead at the waving of the green flag in the 35-lap contest. He held command until lapped traffic gave Justin Sanders a chance to close to the gap. The Aromas driver charged to his inside with six laps complete, but Scelzi was able to fend off the challenge. A restart on lap nine allowed Fremont’s Shane Golobic to slide in front of Sanders to snag the runner-up position.

Scelzi hit his marks out front and held command until a restart with 12-circuits left gave Golobic a shot. When the green flag waved for the final time, Golobic drove it deep into turn one and sliced ​​his way ahead, however, Scelzi executed the cross over move to retake the top spot that he would never relinquish. The driver of the Scelzi Ent./ Red Rose Transportation No. 41 machine went on to accept the Ed Entz checkered flag for the victory.

Golobic crossed the stripe in second to record his fifth podium finish of the season with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour, while Hanford’s Mitchell Faccinto scored third to earn his first SCCT podium of the year. Sanders and 12th starting Bud Kaeding rounded out the top five. Completing the top 10 were Joel Myers Jr., 13th starter Ryan Bernal, DJ Netto, 17th starter Joey Ancona and Ryan Robinson. Rickey Sanders claimed the hard charger award after he moved from 23rd to 13th.

Gilroy’s Kurt Nelson wrapped up his first career Ocean Sprints championship. Nelson has long been one of the top supporters of Ocean Speedway, having missed only one race since 2007 at the venue. Joe Gallaher also wrapped up the Hobby Stock title at the track, as Sam Kennedy picked up the victory in the feature. Justin Crockett won the Tri-State Pro Stock main event held at the event.

A total of 41 Winged Sprint Cars competed at the 62nd running of the Johnny Key Classic. Scelzi began the night by setting the fast time with a lap of 11,486 around the quarter mile.

The Sprint Car Challenge Tour returns to action on Sept. 7 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. The Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational will launch the 68th annual Gold Cup Race of Champions week at the famed bullring.

IF YOU GO

Dwarf Car, Regional Night No. 1
When: Friday, 6 p.m
Events: South Bay Dwarf Cars
Where: Ocean Speedway, Watsonville
tickets: OceanSpeedway.com

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