It is almost time for auto racers to start revving their engines for another season of outdoor track auto racing in Connecticut. Although we have recently had quite the pileup of snow on the ground, Newtown’s Anthony Bello is doing more than gearing up for competition.

In fact, he’s put the pedal to the metal by taking his racing skills down south.

The 15-year-old has put together an impressive run of success on race tracks, most recently winning his first competition in the eBay Motors 602 Modified and claiming the 25-lap Modified championship at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula-Spruce Creek, Fla., February 7-9.

Bello may not be old enough to legally drive on the streets, but he and his competitors not only drive but exceed the speed limit we are restricted to, reaching speeds of up to 125 miles per hour on the course straightaways.

This young race car driver enjoys crossing the finish line first, naturally, but it’s not all about claiming that checkered flag.

“There’s more to racing than just winning. It’s how you handle yourself and can take the pressure. It’s a nice challenge for me,” Bello said.

Bello’s racing roots take him back to when his cousin told him about the indoor go-kart track, On Track Karting, in Brookfield. He found a love for speed starting at the age of 7.

His parents, Sandy and John, took him to On Track Karting, where he started racing competitively in the league races.

“Racing’s in my blood. I’ve been watching NASCAR on TV since I was 1 year old, with my father,” Bello said. “I’ve always had a thing for racing.”

The Newtown High School freshman’s dad owns Bello Motorsports and helps keep his son’s love of racing going strong.

Bello has certainly had his share of wins, coming out on top in more than 60 races and piling up championships. It started with seven Karting titles, and the wins have kept coming as Bello has advanced in racing.

At the age of 10, Bello started racing outdoors in the Inex Bandoleros Outlaw Division and raced in Bethel, N.Y., at Bethel Motor Speedway, where he won several awards, including Rookie of the Year and Connecticut State Champion in 2017.

A couple of years later, at the age of 12, Bello moved up to Inex Legends at the Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut. At age 13, he raced Inex legends in Bethel, N.Y., winning four races, Rookie of the Year, and the 2019 Connecticut State Championship. At age 14, he raced SK Modifieds at Monadnock in New Hampshire and at the Waterford Speedbowl, winning 2020 Rookie of the Year.

Bello Motorsports hopes to continue their push up the ranks of the sport and eventually have Anthony compete in one of NASCAR’s top three national divisions, according to the Bello Motorsports website, bellomotorsports.com.

This young racer said his success has been made possible by support, guidance of his family, crew, friends, and especially the knowledge and commitment of racing partners and teammates Nick Kopcik of NJK Automotive and his son, racer Stephen Kopcik.

The teenage race track speedster thinks that the way to improve is more time running laps and racing different tracks. The more seat time he gets, the more comfortable he is in the car.

Bello will get behind the wheel to race weekly from April through October at the Waterford Speedbowl in the SK Modifieds, Stafford Motor Speedway in the SK Lights, and Thompson Motor Speedway in his #51 car.

“I’m very excited. We’ll hit the track the second week of April. From about April until end of October is really my time of the year,” said Bello, adding that he enjoys not only the racing element but also the time spent with family and friends at the tracks.