Belsito Sets Pro Stock Record
Angelo Belsito won his first track championship at Seekonk (MA) Speedway Saturday night. He finished 15th after a late spin, his second finish outside the top 10 in the last three races. The 22-year-old driver is the youngest champion in the 37-year history of the Pro Stocks.
The sophomore driver improved on his eighth place finish last season. Belsito had 4 wins, 14 top fives, 15 top tens in 18 starts. His average finish was 5.2.
Belsito’s best run was July and August, where he averaged a 2.2 in seven races. He had three wins and a pair of top fives in double points races. Belsito’s last win was August 15.
Kenny Spencer and Belsito are the first back-to-back new champions since Fred Astle, Jr. and Bobby Tripp in 1994-95. It is the seventh time since Don Dionne and George Murray won the first two championships in 1979-80. A pair of Seekonk Wall of Famers Wayne Dion and Norm Holden won in 1982-83. A remarkable six year run saw Leo Cleary, Joey Cerullo, Johnny Tripp, Bugs Stevens, Vinnie Annarummo, and Rick Martin claim the championship from 1986-91.
Seekonk rejoined the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series this season. Seekonk was NASCAR sanctioned from 2000-05.
Belsito also leads the NASCAR Massachusetts championship. NEAR Hall of Fame inductee won Stan Greger, Jr. won the last NASCAR state title in 1981 racing at Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam. NASCAR restored the state championships in 2007 after crowning regional champions.
The Auburn, MA driver moved from to the premier division at Seekonk last year.
Belsito’s next race is the DAV Fall Classic October 2-3 for the $5,000 to win Pro Stock Open. He is considering the Bemer’s Big Show 150 October 24 The inaugural Granite State Pro Stock Series race and season finale will be at New London-Waterford (CT) Speedbowl , where he raced INEX Legends Cars in 2013.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com