$1200 in additional purse on the line in 2nd Annual
Gabe Bellante
Memorial David Chevrolet
King of the Crates Series Finale
Since he was 4 years old, Rick Bellante had shared a passion for
racing with his Dad Gabe Bellante. Now 42, the owner of Rick's
Delivery has been a life-long fan ... a racer ... a car owner
... a car and division sponsor at Merrittville ... all shared
with his dad.
With his passing in October of 2013, we all can share his
life when the 2015 David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series
concludes this Saturday August 22nd with the 2nd
Annual 40 lap Gabe Bellante Memorial.
Bellante has provided an additional $1,200 cash that will be
put into the purse for the night right from 1st to
last. The Feature Winner will take home $1,200 with the top 5
now $750, $570, $415 and $350 with additional monies right
through the field of 24 starters.
2013 was the final season for Bellante as a car owner for
Sportsman competitor and friend Greg Panunte whose final full
season saw him earn the King of the Crates Series Title. While
2014 no longer saw Bellante as a car owner - a friendship with
Brad Rouse saw Rick's Delivery become a sponsor of the 2013 Mr
DIRTcar and Napa Auto Parts Super Dirt Week Champion.
"Once again we couldn't have asked for anyone that is more
passionate about the sport and the division than Rick," said
(Merrittville Speedway GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones, "the Series
Finale will give us all a chance to remember Gabe."
For 50 years, Rick's dad Gabe was faithfully at Merrittville
Saturday Nights and if you were at a special event anywhere
across the DIRTcar Circuit - chances are you would see him there
too.
"I don't think he missed a single Saturday Night," remembered
Rick of his Dad, "he was a diehard fan who lived to see a good
race. If you asked him who his favorite driver was ... he would
proudly say ... All of them!"
Gabe Bellante was the kind of guy everyone knew and liked. If
you would follow Series Events or attended other race tracks -
chances are you would see Gabe and his wife Donna and the kids
in their motorhome getting ready to enjoy a night at that track
- making friends there too.
While attending races at the Volusia Speedway Park one
February in the late 80's with Davey Moore, Gabe would become
ill and would have triple by-pass surgery down south. While in
recent years he wouldn't travel as much - he was able to enjoy
the racing endeavours of his son.
Rick Bellante, like so many, has experienced a lifetime in
the sport with many memories to cherish of times at the track
spent with his dad, family and friends.
"Dad always loved a good race ... however it turns out - we
are looking forward to a great night of racing to honor him,"
added Bellante, "good luck to all the drivers!"
Going into the 40 lap $1,200 to win Gabe Bellante Memorial, 2
time King of the Crates Series Champion Cody McPherson sits 7
points behind current leader Brad Rouse who took home the
Mini-Series Title in 2011.
| 40 Lap Purse | Bonus Money | Total Payout | |
| 1 | $ 1,000.00 | $ 200.00 | $ 1,200.00 |
| 2 | $ 600.00 | $ 150.00 | $ 750.00 |
| 3 | $ 450.00 | $ 120.00 | $ 570.00 |
| 4 | $ 325.00 | $ 90.00 | $ 415.00 |
| 5 | $ 275.00 | $ 75.00 | $ 350.00 |
| 6 | $ 225.00 | $ 65.00 | $ 290.00 |
| 7 | $ 200.00 | $ 60.00 | $ 260.00 |
| 8 | $ 175.00 | $ 50.00 | $ 225.00 |
| 9 | $ 150.00 | $ 40.00 | $ 190.00 |
| 10 | $ 140.00 | $ 30.00 | $ 170.00 |
| 11 | $ 130.00 | $ 35.00 | $ 165.00 |
| 12 | $ 120.00 | $ 30.00 | $ 150.00 |
| 13 | $ 110.00 | $ 25.00 | $ 135.00 |
| 14 | $ 110.00 | $ 25.00 | $ 135.00 |
| 15 | $ 110.00 | $ 25.00 | $ 135.00 |
| 16 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 17 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 18 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 19 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 20 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 21 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 22 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 23 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| 24 | $ 110.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 130.00 |
| $ 5,110.00 | $ 1,200.00 | $ 6,310.00 |
Between the two at 6 points out of top spot is third
generation driver Brent Begolo who is looking for his first win
of the season and his first career title.
Current overall point leader Gary Lindberg who won the
inaugural Gabe Bellante Memorial last year will be looking to
move into the top 3 as the second generation driver is out of
first place by 9 points. Chad Chevalier rounds out the top 5 but
has the most work ahead of him as he’s 23 points behind Rouse.
In the first two King of the Crates Series Events this
season, Rouse won the opener on Baron Roofing and Siding Night
June 6th while McPherson took round two on August 1st’s
Tim Hortons Night.
The Pen Centre presentation of the 40 lap Gabe Bellante
Memorial David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series Finale begins
when the Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office opens at 5:30 with
Show Time at 7:00 PM.
Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold. For directions click on http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/directions.html or call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – donspiece.merrittvillespeedway@gmail.com.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 64th Consecutive
Season in 2015 – visit
www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Become a fan of
Merrittville Speedway on Face Book at
www.facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway and follow us on
Twitter at
www.twitter.com/Merrittville
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
The 2015 64th Anniversary Lucas Oil
Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is
brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s
Delicious Foods, Rick’s Delivery, Rev’s Full Throttle
Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction and
Contingency Partners
http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/contingency.html
in addition to many marketing partners. Visit them at
http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htmand
visit them when you require their products and/or services.
Lucas Oil Products is one of the
fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive
industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and
problem-solving additives.
Through
innovative product research and development, along with
aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has
established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil
Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance
center including KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim
Phillips Garage.
