Driver

Scelzi was a terror on the West Coast Top Alcohol scene, winning 70+% of his final rounds and collecting championships in both Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car long before most ever heard his name. Fellow West Coast alcohol racer Alan Johnson knew well Gary’s capabilities, and when his brother Blaine perished during the 1996 US Nationals, Alan knew Gary would be his new driver. Johnson hired him for the 1997 Top Fuel campaign and Gary promptly became the only driver to ever win his first two professional starts — as well as the only to win the Top Fuel World Championship his first two seasons (1997, 1998). And three of his first four (2000). He then transitioned to Funny Cars and in 2005 became just the second to win championships in both Fuel classes, matching inductee Kenny Bernstein. As a driver, Scelzi set records that may never be equaled. Including being the only man in NHRA history to win not just races but championships in the fastest four classes: TF, FC, TAD, and TAFC.