Thorold, Ontario (May 24) Growing up as a kid, Rick Bellante sat in the stands cheering on his favorite Merrittville Speedway drivers – Davey Moore and Harvey Hainer Jr. among others.
Now that he sits in his race car every Saturday Night – the two wall of famers and the large crowd in the first pleasant weather of the young season would cheer him as the St. Catharines driver won his first ever Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature on CAA Niagara Night Saturday May 23rd.
“Dad brought me here as a kid,” prided Bellante who made quite an impression in his first Victory Lane celebration, “never did I think back then that I would be here.”
Another driver visiting Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time in his career as well was Evan Curtis in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division.
Two drivers ran away with their second career wins at the Thorold track – Chris Steele in the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Division and third generation driver Brent Begolo in the borrowed Dolph McCready Hoosier Stock respectively.
Defending Champion Shawn Sliter rounded out the Feature Winners in making a late race move to win the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Feature.
“Everyone was expecting some kind of race,” revealed (Event Planner and Track co-owner) Nancy Bicknell, “they got their race … but who said it had to involve cars?”
A great number of drivers and crew chiefs assembled on the front stretch for the event when (Merrittville co-announcer) Clint Geoffrey revealed the details just minutes after finding out himself, “OK guys … you’re here for a wheel barrow race… crew chiefs … you’re the wheel barrows!”
Hoosier Stock Driver Ken Sargent and his crew chief Ryan Billings were first to cross the line in the fun event.
With it being CAA Night, Niagara Members and staff enjoyed a great night of racing. Merrittville Speedway’s CAA Towing Crew – they had a busy night with several red flags and other on track incidents keeping the responders on their toes.
Second generation driver Robbie Rounce was first to lead the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature. A multi-car incident in turn 4 of lap 4 slowed his pace but after racing resumed, Rounce lost control himself but only briefly after jumping the cushion.
Rick Bellante was the new leader after Rounce’s miscue with two quick cautions before the half-way point slowing the action. Brad Rouse suffered a flat tire in the first and then slowed in turn one – setting up a lap 11 restart.
With Bellante out front – the race for runner-up spot was between brothers Cody and Tyler McPherson. Another caution right away slowed Bellante, the brothers and the field but on lap 15 with 10 to go – Bellante enjoyed a 10 car lead on Tyler McPherson.
In the closing laps, McPherson was able to close in on Bellante but to the checkered flag – nothing was going to stop the St. Catharines driver just starting his third season behind the wheel.
“This is really awesome …the car was so good tonight … I’ve got to thank the Knapps for all they do for me,” remarked an overwhelmed Rick Bellante in Victory Lane for the first time in a relatively short career.
Bellante and McPherson were followed by Chad Chevalier. Cody McPherson held on for fourth with Nick Cupolo fifth.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Rick Bellante, Second – Jim Johnstone. Consolation – B.J. Willard.
Just after Greg Wilson took off to lead the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – the second generation driver was joined in the lead pack by fellow drivers Chris Laskey and Evan Curtis. Just after Curtis took control of the runner-up spot – caution slowed the field.
Wilson again set the pace on the restart and with the race now just past the half-way point – Rob Goulding entered the top 3. Curtis was able to get by Wilson for the lead just as caution would again slow the field.
With Curtis out front Goulding was now being challenged by Aaron Wiley. Goulding soon caught Curtis – putting up quite a challenge. The two ran side by side until Goulding edged ahead at the start- finish line with Starter Doug Leonard’s white flag signaling one lap to go.
Curtis regained top spot along the back-stretch for the final time and at the checkers – earned his first career win by a car length over Goulding. Aaron Wiley was third while Rob Overholt and Trevor Goulding closed the top 5.
“The car’s been running strong all season,” remarked Curtis in Victory Lane, “it’s great to get the first one … it’s been a lot of fun … thanks to Dad and my uncle … everyone that helped out!”
Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Carey Gore, Second – Chris Laskey, Third – Greg Wilson. Consolation – A.J. Castelein.
The first time Chris Steele stood in 358 Modified Victory Lane – he’d won the rain-shortened 33 lap event.
“Tonight … it was my kind of track,” prided Chris Steele after checking out on the field for his second career win, “the car was so good.”
Steele – who started the 35 lap Feature in 14th spot, caught up to early leader Rob Pietz – taking control out of Turn 4 to complete lap 10.
Before Pietz was on the point Todd Kendrick was first to lead the event before coming together with Todd Gordon. Both cars became hooked and the race was stopped to separate the two. Pietz resumed control through a couple restarts before being challenged by Steele.
Just before half-way Steele’s pace was slowed but in the last half of the race – the former Karter turned Open Wheel Lite Driver and now 358 Modified Star opened up a straightaway lead on runner-up Scott Wood.
Tim Jones had his best showing of the season in taking third spot. Defending champion Chad Brachmann also had his best finish of the young season finishing fourth as did former champion Brian Stevens who rounded out the top 5.
L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners – First – Mark D’Ilario, Second – Bill Bleich, Third – James Michael Friesen. Consolation – Dennis Giancola.
Kevin Kocarik was first to lead the Hoosier Stock Feature before Kevin Knapp took control out of Turn 4. Kocarik got out of shape but contact with another car kept the Fonthill driver’s car from spinning out.
Kocarik’s misfortune allowed Knapp to pull away to a good lead on the field. So good that his lead was almost a full straightaway.
Unfortunately it all came to a screeching halt just before the half-way point as Knapp’s car slowed along the back-stretch. Knapp later revealed that the gear broke off the distributor – continuing his early season woes.
Second year driver Mark Fawcett was the new leader on the restart before Brent Begolo took control. Fawcett now faced challenges from both Rob Murray and Alan Sleight for the runner-up spot.
With 5 laps to go – Murray took control of second but by that point in the race – Begolo had opened up a lead that was a full straightaway at the finish.
“I started deep in the field … with the tacky track – I knew I had to get to the front quick,” revealed Begolo, “I think I still had something for Kevin.”
Begolo’s second career win came in the borrowed Dolph McCready car, adding, “I blew the transmission in my car last week and it’s not together yet … thanks to Dolph for loaning me his car.”
Begolo, Murray and Sleight took the top three spots while Fawcett held on for fourth. Brad Sheehan rounded out the top 5.
Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Tyler Anderson, Second – Kirk Wilson, Third – Kevin Knapp. Consolation – Brad Sheehan.
“It was a long race… I was surprised I won it,” remarked Shawn Sliter in Victory Lane for the first time of 2009, “the car wasn’t right … I had to work for this one.”
A couple of late race cautions found Rick Brubacher and defending point champion Sliter in a see saw battle for top spot.
Sliter took control on the last restart and went on to the win.
When the race began, Jordan Curran was first to lead before Brubacher took his first lead. An early caution saw Josh Sliter challenging Brubacher for top spot with Sliter taking control.
Sliter opened up a comfortable lead before losing it on lap 7 after losing control of his car in turn 4. Jamie Gilbert set the pace on the restart before Brubacher regained control. Two laps later Gilbert and Paul Klager got together in turn 4 and on the restart – Adam Murphy was the new leader.
The race was stopped quickly on the restart after a multi-car incident in turn 2 had Jason Corless flipping his car. Brubacher was again out front before another red flag delayed the return to action after Scott Billing rolled his car off turn 3. Both drivers were OK.
Brubacher again set the pace on the restart and with 5 laps to go – enjoyed a 5 lap lead on Sliter and Murphy before Sliter took control of top spot.
Jamie Gilbert rebounded to take third spot while Adam Leslie and Josh Sliter rounded out the top 5.
Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Shawn Sliter, Second – Rick Brubacher, Third – Paul Klager. Consolation – Bob Bredin.
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