By: Merrittville Speedway 
August 18 2016

SMS Machine Tools Night also hosting TUSA Mod Lites & Box Car Races

Thorold, Ontario – The race for the 2016 David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series Title could go right down to the final lap Saturday August 20th when SMS Machine Tools presents the 40 lap Gabe Bellante Memorial.

The annual three race mini-series concludes with a $1,000 to win 40 lap Feature for the Yager Bros Trucking Sportsman Division.

In the overall points, Cody McPherson of St. Catharines has a little more breathing room over Brent Begolo and Justin Sharp but in the Mini-Series … the top three are separated by just 19 points with Sharp also of St. Catharines in the runner up spot just 5 points off the lead.

McPherson won the Series Opener back on CAA Niagara Night, (May 28th) while Sharp won Round 2 which via rain was moved from D&L Small Engines Night to Saturday July 23rd’s Hingston Metal Fabricators Night.

With Avondale Food Stores Night raining out August 13th, Begolo of Thorold is the last divisional winner – going back to August 6th’s Niagara Employment Help Centre Night.

“It’s shaping up to be one of the highlights of our 65th Season for sure,” said (Merrittville Speedway GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones, “someone’s going to win the battle and someone’s going to win the war … for the fans … here’s hoping it’s an exciting finish.”

To view the 2016 Point Standing for the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series as well as all the Point Standings for the 65th Anniversary Season visit http://www.speednetdirect.com/points.php?track_id=8430&nav_step=results

The Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series program will also feature events for the Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks and the Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinders.

Two other special events will round out the Night – a 20 lap TUSA Modified Lite Special and the rain-delayed Kid’s Box Car Races.

Paul Klager of Beamsville won the first TUSA Special Event back on Ontario Truck Driving School’s Night June 18th.

Younger race fans still looking to put together an entry for the Annual Event can find rules at http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/box-car-rules.html

For 50 years, Gabe Bellante was faithfully at Merrittville Speedway Saturday Nights and if you were at a special event across the DIRTcar Circuit – chances are you would see him there too.

Gabe would share his love for the sport with his family including his son Rick who after watching races growing up would become a driver himself while supporting fellow racers through his company Rick’s Delivery.

Eventually Rick’s Delivery would become title sponsor of Merrittville’s Sportsman Division and through all his son’s racing endeavours, Gabe was there with him until his passing in October of 2013.

“Dad always loved a good race … however it turns out – we’re looking forward to a great night of racing to honour him,” said Rick Bellante, “good luck to all the drivers.”

2016 Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified Rookie Gary Lindberg won the first two Gabe Bellante Memorials.

During its humble beginnings in 1943 as a screw machine shop in the garage of a small house in Toronto’s west end, SMS Machine Tools Limited has been supplying it’s customers with state of the art equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers since 1959.

In 1984, Screw Machine Services Limited relocated into its present 30,000 square foot facility to accommodate better customer training and showroom demonstrations.

55 years later, SMS Machine has developed into one of Canada’s foremost machine distributors, providing clients with leading edge technology machine tools and automated manufacturing. Visit www.smsmachine.com to learn more about SMS.

Gates Open at 5:30 Saturday August 20th with Show time is 7 PM.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2016 65th 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, Yager Bros Trucking, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

Lucas Oil Products, Inc., is the world leader in the production high performance oils, fuel treatments and problem solving additives with the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in North America. Lucas Oil’s premium formulas are marketed worldwide and retail at more than 40,000 auto parts stores across the continent and at virtually every truck stop across Canada.

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including Kala’s Home Hardware, St. Catharines Discount Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.