Three Generations of Belletto Family Race at Madera Speedway

            Since he began his car racing career back in the early 1970’s Harry Belletto, age 65 of Modesto, has seen plenty of changes in his sport over the past four decades.

“I think guys were more aggressive back in the old days than they are now. People have more respect for their equipment today than when I first started. It was a crash feast then,” laughs Belletto (#74 HotWood Chevrolet). “It was tough. We didn’t have as good of cars as we have now and it was a real test just to make them handle. There was a lot more confusion now everyone pretty much knows what they are doing.”

The sport has also become much more of a family affair. While many of today’s drivers are second or even third generation racers - including Tracy’s Justin Philpott, Clovis’ Trevor Schlundt, Modesto’s Kyle Gottula and Stockton’s Ross Strmiska - no one epitomizes this trend more than the Belletto clan.

For years Harry and his two sons Steve and Jeff, both of Modesto, were fixtures at Stockton’s 99 Speedway. With Harry’s oldest son Rick running the operation in the pits, Harry earned three track championships while Steve picked up two titles of his own at the treacherous quarter mile oval. One of Harry’s proudest moments at the 99 was leading his two sons in 1-2-3 podium sweep of a 100 lap feature.

After the legendary track closed in 2006, the family moved their Saturday night operation south to the 1/3 mile oval Madera Speedway.

“I like Madera and we always seem to run well here. It is a quality place with a nice atmosphere and we enjoy the gang here,” explains Jeff (#12 HotWood Chevrolet). “Kenny (Madera track president Kenny Shepherd) is doing a heck of a job down here. My hat is off to him.”

Harry also sees value in having someone in charge that has driven competitively.

            “Madera is nice place to race. I would like to see it grow and I think it will because Kenny is doing a tremendous job, really trying hard,” adds Harry. “It is great having a racer in charge because you don’t even have to tell him something, he just knows what you want and need. He has been on both sides of the fence.”

Harry is especially happy to have all of his boys back with him fulltime after Jeff and Steve opted to race in the SRL Wild West Shootout touring series for a couple of years.

“It means a lot to be back with the kids. It is important for us. When they were all racing in different places, we were burning up the phone lines trying to find out how each other was doing,” said Harry. “This is better and a lot more fun. Plus there is a little rivalry that we can have a good time with.”

Jeff is also happy to be competing head to head with his father again.

“It is a lot of fun to race with dad again. He races so dang hard, I don’t know how he does it. He is always on the gas peddle,” laughs Jeff, who is currently second in the Madera standings behind Stockton’s Joey Stearns. “He still enjoys beating us and all the other guys out here.”

Although Steve has decided to take the 2008 season off, another Belletto car has  joined Harry and Jeff on the track this year. Nic Belletto, the 18 year old son of Steve, is a rookie in the American Limited Stock Car division at Madera.

            “Every since I can remember I have wanted to race. I sure have gotten plenty of advice from everybody - good, bad, sarcastic - you name it,” said Nic. “I followed my grandpa around the track and he helped me find the right lines and showed me some tricks. My dad, uncles and grandpa have been such a big help.”

            All of that help paid off when Nic won his very first American Limited Stock Car main event at Madera on August 16^th.

            “I am really proud of him. He has shown a lot of improvement from the start of the season,” said Steve. “He has never driven anything competitively before this year, but I will tell you what he has probably watched more races than any other kid his age. From the time he was born he has been going to the track.”

            Harry is pleased to see an influx of new young talent come into the sport such as his grandson, Gottula, Schlundt, Strmiska and Lancaster’s Austin Murphy, all age 22 and under.

            “It is really neat to see Nic out here and I think he has a lot of potential. Most of the new guys have followed their fathers or relatives into racing and have worked up through go karting or something like that,” explains Harry. “We need more good young kids for the sport to stay alive and healthy and that is all there is to it. Old guys like me are not going to do it.”

            And how long does Harry see himself racing against these kids?

            “I still enjoy racing. People ask when are you going to retire and my answer to that is I will always have a race car in the garage and ready to go. Even if it was only one or two races a year I always want to have that option,” said Harry emphatically. “I just can’t stand the thought of retiring, the thought of it being over. I never want it to be over. I want to continue as long as I am competitive, can run with these guys and not in the way.”

            Nic for one is glad to hear that because he still has another goal to fill.

            “I have a dream that I race against my grandpa, pass him and beat him in a race. I don’t think he would let me, but I would give him hell and try as hard as I could to beat him,” said Nic with a big smile. “That would be a highlight for sure.”

            Steve Belletto would like to take Nic’s dream one step farther.

            “It would be crazy fun to get all four of us out there and race together. And wouldn’t it be something to see a 1-2-3-4 Belletto finish!”

The Belletto family will be back at Madera Speedway on Saturday, September 13th, for the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series “Fan Appreciation Night” program featuring twin 50 lap mains for the Western Late Models and FREE admission for fans of all ages.