All indications were that the first-ever visit by the Steel Block Bandits to Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, Saluda, was going to be a home run.

Over the last two weeks, officials from the Steel Block Bandits and the Middlesex County track were hearing from a multitude of competitors that had everyone expecting 40-plus cars for the series’ first event at the facility.

However, it will have to wait another week. Rains and the threat of more severe storms caused track officials to postpone the $2,000 to win Revere Gas Firecracker 30 from last Saturday.

"This event was picking up a lot of steam with both competitors and fans, we were very excited about possibilities of the first-ever visit to our facility by the Steel Block Bandits, but with the rain and the forecast for more severe storms on the way, we are forced to reschedule the event for next Saturday, July 17, and we hope that we will still see a record car count for the Steel Block Bandits first event next weekend," track general manager Clarke Sawyer said.

Some of the region’s top talent will be on hand for the Steel Block Bandits’ first visit. The series regulars, which will include the speedway’s 2008 Victory Lap Late Model Champion and current Bandits point leader Walker Arthur of Forest, will have a tough road as they contend with a strong local contingent led by Stevie Long of Mechanicsville, Md., rookie Tim Shelton of Fredericksburg, Scott Adams of Chester, Davis Lipscombe of Mechanicsville, Tom Cohick of Gloucester and Ben Bowie of Brandywine, Md.

Making the night even more exciting will be a huge fireworks extravaganza. Also, fans will have the opportunity to win a gas grill courtesy of Revere Gas and two HP printers courtesy of Aaron’s.

The night’s activities will also include the Truckin’ Thunder Sportsman, Budweiser Modifieds and the Collision One Limited Stock Cars in Virginia Army National Guard Dirt Series action.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. On-track activities start at 6:30 with hot laps.

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