Sergi Experiences Emotional Weekend at New Smyrna Speedway

Scores Top 10 Finishes In Red Eye and Zack Donatti Memorial

The first race weekend of 2015 was an emotional one for Florida race car driver Anthony Sergi.  Sergi ran two Late Model races at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) on Saturday, the Red Eye 100 and Zack Donatti Memorial. 

Donatti and Sergi became good friends and raced together dating back to their quarter midget days.  Donatti passed away in June 2014 from injuries suffered in a construction accident.  Saturday's 50-lap Pro Late Model race was run in memory of Donatti.

Sergi started from the pole, but failed to lead the first lap. 

"I wanted to lead the first lap but I kind of messed up on the start there," he said.  "I was emotional because I really wanted to lead that first lap but I got too emotional so I messed up the start and stepped on the gas too early."

Sergi raced a Pro Late Model owned by BJ McLeod with a tribute paint scheme for Donatti.  He said he learned that there would be a race held in memory of his good friend back in November at the Governor's Cup 200 and made sure he'd have a ride to take part.

"I called up BJ that weekend," he said.  "So as soon as I found out his dad was having this race I knew I had a car for this race."

At the end of the 50 lap event Sergi was fourth.  He said the team had the wrong rear end in the car, but that otherwise they were really fast.

"The crew chief did all he could for the car and I was doing all I could driving it," he said.  "I'm excited about the fourth-place but I was just out there for fun.  I was out there just to show off for Zach.  It was about him with the paint scheme."

Sergi had another 100 laps to run on Saturday night, but the Red Eye didn't go too well for him.  Sergi started 12th, but he said he continuously restarted in the wrong lane.

"I had a fast car," he said.  "I had a top four car.  It's the luck of the draw on those restarts.  I was always on the bottom and then Nasse had that one bad restart so I had to work my way up there.  I just had no luck on Saturday.  I'd make up positions and then I'd lose them."

Sergi's next race will be the Pete Orr Memorial on January 24.  He's confident that with a little bit of luck he can pull out the win.

"I think we'll be good," he said.  "The Super Late Model is always fast.  I just need some luck.  I need a penny on heads that I pick up on pit road to get good restarts.  I need some luck to win a race. But I think this year we will win a race.   Hopefully it'll be soon so I can prove to everyone why I'm out there."

For more information on Anthony Sergi, follow him on Twitter at @AnthonySergi20.