Gabe Bellante Memorial King Of Crates Series Finale Saturday At Merrittville

Story By: JIM IRVINE / MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY – THOROLD, ONT – After Niagara Trailers Night Saturday August 19th – another piece of the 66th Season puzzle will be solved as the 2017 David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series Finale for the S&W Service Centre Sportsman Division will be the featured event.

Joining in on the Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing Series Event – the Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modifieds. Novice Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Wood Motor Company Modified Lites and the Central Fabricating & Welding 4 Cylinders.

Since he was 4 years old, Rick Bellante had shared a passion for racing with his Dad Gabe Bellante. Now 44, 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 until his passing in October of 2013..

After the 2013 Season, Bellante had stepped back from being 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.

“Brad and I have a pretty good chemistry together,” said Rick Bellante, “we think alike as to what changes the car needs every night.”

That Chemistry has resulted in a successful 2017 Season to date with 14 wins for the Rick’s Delivery #18R that leads the points at Freedom, Merrittville and the DIRTcar Western Region.

“Once again we couldn’t have asked for anyone that is more passionate about the sport and the division than Rick,” said (Merrittville Speedway’s) Don Spiece, “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.

“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 $1,000 to win King of the Crates Finale Gabe Bellante Memorial, Rouse leads Jay Mallory by 28 points. The race for the runner up spot might be the one to watch as just 10 points separate Mallory, Cody McPherson, Brent Begolo and Adam Leslie.

In the Series opener back on CAA Niagara Night, James Friesen came home the winner with Rouse taking home the second in July 22nd’s Hingston Metal Fabricators Night.

Whether it’s a Saturday Night at the track … at a special race or anywhere across North America … it can all start with the freedom, affordability, flexibility and opportunities associated with RVing.

Since 1972, Niagara Trailers of St. David’s Ontario has been owned and operated by the Petrie Family, has offered it’s valued customers a one-stop centre for their RV needs.

Doug Petrie Sr., President and founder of Niagara Trailers was one of the original recipients of the prestigious Camping Canada’s “Canadian Dealer of the Year”, awarded for his dedication input and service to the growth and improvement of the Canadian RV industry.

Niagara Trailers is committed to customer satisfaction and offers a full range of services, such as, in house R.V. bank financing, extended warranties, mobile park service, park model deliveries and set ups, insurance repairs and estimates and more.

Niagara Trailers has been pleased to supply the best in North American manufactured park model trailers, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, along with hard top campers and light weight expandables.

Visit Niagara Trailers at their 1224 York Road location in St. David’s or on line at http://www.niagaratrailers.com/

David Chevrolet offers an extensive inventory of genuine GM Performance parts and accessories including the GM Crate Engine that power each Sportsman. The GM Crate Engine is a bullet-proof 350-horsepower, 350-cubic-inch factory-sealed racing engine and is a tough combination of power and reliability, and it fits almost any racing budget.

At David Chevrolet you will find friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff who are guided by a relentless focus on superior customer service, honesty and delivering the highest value to our customers. David Chevrolet is committed to building relationships that will last generations.

David Chevrolet Corvette Buick GMC has been voted the #1 Dealer for new and used vehicles.

Visit David Chevrolet at 915 Niagara Street in Welland. On line at www.davidchev.com you can search new inventory, request quotes on service and repairs, body shop and parts.

Saturday August 19th’s Niagara Trailers Night begins when the Grandstands open at 5:30 with Showtime at 7 PM.

For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s 2017 Season visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com or call the Winter Office at 905-984-608 or via e mail at merrittvillemedia@gmail.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville