Another Belletto in position to capture WLM title

Record Staff Writer

September 17, 2011 12:25 AM

Jeff Belletto could be 150 laps away from adding to his family's legacy at Stockton 99 Speedway.

Belletto will try to wrap up the NASCAR Western Late Model championship in the 150-lap Whelan racing Series finale at 6 p.m. today at Stockton 99. If he succeeds it will be the sixth late model title for the Belletto family, and the first for Jeff.

His father, Harry, has three titles, and his brother, Steve, has two. Jeff Belletto admits he's a bit anxious going into the final points race.

"It's a little nerve-wracking, but this is a really big deal to me," Jeff Belletto said. "I grew up at Stockton. When we were deciding what we wanted to do this year, I said I wanted to run and put my name up there with my dad and brother."

Belletto has won eight races this season and holds a 761-724 lead over veteran driver Dave Byrd of Seaside, who has won two track championships. One important factor Belletto and Byrd will be watching tonight is the size of the WLM field. With a 37-point lead and 50 points available to the winner of the main event. Belletto said if the car count is 18 or less, he just has to start the race to clinch. If there's 19 or more, Byrd still has a shot.

The program also will feature the end of the three-way tussle for the crown in the premiere Super Stock division. Mike Graham of Ceres, who leads the class with four wins, has 826 points. Garland Tyler of Modesto is second at 812, and Richard Harper of Stockton has 802. There are 60 points available in the Super Stock division, 50 in the main event and 10 to win the heat race.

There also will be racing in the Grand American Modified, Bombers and Basically 4s classes.

Attn. Visitors; Rooms available at Stockton 99's New Official Hotel!

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