Belyea started the year in Florida with friend and competitor Charlie Sandercock behind the wheel of the Excel Tower Late Model battling against the World of Outlaw stars. While they were unable to qualify in the very tough field of cars that were on hand, the experience that the gained would be invaluable.
When the season started at Brighton Speedway in May, Belyea had high hopes, returning as the reigning champion of the Late Model division. A slow start to the season resulted in only one top five finish after the first four races through the month of May. Belyea still struggled to find consistency going into the heat of the summer, but ended June with his first win of the season. Just two weeks later he recorded his second win of the year, and recorded back to back victories at Brighton in August to storm back into contention for another track title. His final win of the season came during Labor Day Weekend at Brighton. He ended the season third overall in track points.
“After getting off to a slow start, we were really able to get back on track in late June and had a really solid season after that”, says Belyea. “We are looking forward to 2013 and hopefully we can come back as strong as ever”.
As the 2012 season started to wind down, Belyea’s attention shifted to the Go Nuclear Late Model Challenge Series. They had an earlier event at Mohawk Raceway back in July and Belyea had a second place finish to start the series and it resumed at Brighton Speedway in September during the Great Crate Race where he scored a disappointing 21st place finish. Just a week later the series returned to Mohawk Raceway for a weekend doubleheader and Belyea scored finishes of second and ninth. The final race of the season for the Go Nuclear Series came at Brockville Speedway where he was contending for the win before getting caught up in a late race crash and finished in ninth place. He finished the Go Nuclear Late Model Challenge Series in second place in the point standings.
“We enjoy traveling to other tracks with the Go Nuclear Series. Shayne (Tenace) has worked hard at putting this series together and making it better each year”, adds Belyea. “We plan to be back next year and hopefully we can go out and win the championship”.
Belyea plans to get an early start to the 2013 season racing in Florida during the month of February in the NeSmith Late Model Series. Stay tuned to our website for updated schedule information as it becomes available.
For more information on Greg Belyea and the Excel Tower Racing Team, please visit our website, www.exceltowerracing.com. You will find updated news, results, schedule and information on Greg Belyea and his Late Model, and Charlie Sandercock and the Excel Tower Service Sprint Car.
