WOODVILLE, ON – With a win and a podium finish in his first two starts of the 2015 Peterborough Speedway season, defending Thunder Car champion Anthony DiBello has every reason to smile entering the month of June.
“We couldn’t be happier with the start to 2015 that we’ve had,” beams DiBello. “To come right out of the box with a win, and then follow it up with a podium finish is a fantastic way to start our championship defense”
DiBello’s family-run team earned their first career Peterborough Speedway championship on the final night of the 2014 season – after a razor thin battle with Thunder Car veteran Howie Crowe.
Upon clinching the championship, the second-generation standout immediately went back to work at his family’s race shop, with intentions of improving his program for the 2015 season.
“We changed so much over the off-season – there was definitely some nervous energy on opening night. Just worrying if we made the right calls and changed the right things. So far, I would say it’s worked out perfectly”
The Woodville, ON driver’s most recent outing saw his No. 16 charge from the tail end of the field to a 3rd place finish.
“I just ran out of laps trying to chase down the leaders,” explains DiBello. “If we had a few more laps – or a late-race caution – it may have been a different story”
When the topic of points standings arises, DiBello is quick to note his goals remain on his weekly commitments.
“We’re approaching this season on a week-to-week basis,” insists the talented up-and-comer. “I’m just trying to go out and win one race at a time. The last thing I want to do is get caught up in watching where we are in the points and losing focus”
“It’s my number one goal to repeat as Peterborough Speedway champion, but the only way I can do that is to score more points than the guy next to me. And the best way to do that is go out and beat them on the track week after week”
The former Mosport Speedway ‘6 or Less’ regular looks back on his 2014 season as motivation for how he hopes to steer his championship defense.
“2014 was such a learning experience for us,” offers DiBello with a smile. “I feel like I aged ten years in a single season. It taught us a lot about our program and how to go about things at the speedway. The plan is to give ourselves a bit more breathing room this season. I would be the happiest guy in the pit area if we had a comfortable points lead heading into the final night of the year”
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves – but that’s certainly the goal”
“These guys are tough. There aren’t many slouches here. You have to work for every single position. I wouldn’t have it any other way – these guys push you, and you can’t help but improve when you’re racing against that style of competitor.”
Anthony DiBello will return to action at Peterborough Speedway with the rest of the Thunder Car division on June 6th. Details, including gate times and ticket prices, can be found at www.PeterboroughSpeedway.com.
Anthony DiBello’s Peterborough Speedway return is made possible thanks to DiBello Towing, B&G Truck Repair, Race Toyota, Federal Wireless Communications, Giorgio’s Fine Dining, Langille’s Scrap & Cores, Kawartha Lakes Contracting, Country 105, Nick Oram Autobody and MBH Southern Iron.
Fans can stay up to date with Anthony and the rest of the team by visiting the official DiBello Racing page on Facebook.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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