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"The Rocketman" sweeps the weekend at Eastside and NBS....

D&D Auto Recycling Steel Block Bandits
Natural Bridge Speedway
Natural Bridge, VA
September 10, 2011

31 cars signed into the pits at Natural Bridge Speedway Saturday evening for the second night of a two day Shenandoah Valley doubleheader. The night before at Eastside Speedway, Waynesboro, VA driver Greg Roberson had secured his first Bandits win of the season at his home track, he would return to action with the same car at Natural Bridge. The night would start off very well for Greg Roberson as he pulled the number one pill that would place him on the pole for the first heat race. Heats for the 31 cars went to Greg Roberson, Rick Singleton, and Booper Bare. The B-Main would be taken by Chris Barger, with Billy Beachler taking the Bandits provisional, and Michael Alderman taking the NBS provisional.

With Roberson on the hot seat on the pole after a domination night on Friday, one would expect him to get a hot start and he did as he jumped into the lead from the initial green. Booper Bare would take second at the start as Roberson once again pulled away from the field. Matt Cosner had parlayed a great heat race effort into a great feature start and was running fourth when mechanical issues saw the left front pointing in entirely the wrong direction, Cosner continued but steadily lost positions before bringing out the first caution with 12 laps complete. The caution quickly flew again with 15 laps down when Rick Singleton slowed due to a flat tire, he would return to the track after a quick tire change. As the field would then settle into a long green flag run, Greg Roberson again the man to beat would quickly pull away from Booper Bare, Justin Williams and Wes Bonebrake followed behind, with points leader Walker Arthur and young Tanner Kerr battling hard behind them.

The whole complexion of the points race changed with nine laps to go when Walker Arthur got into trouble in turn one and slid off the turn two banking and out of the park, Arthur would resume though but definitely allowing Booper Bare to make up some points. With nine to go Roberson again pulled away from Bare. Over the waning laps Roberson kept his lead and made Steel Block Bandits history with his second Steel Block Bandits win in a row, the first time this had happened in Bandits history. Bare would finish second with Justin Williams in third, Wes Bonebrake had a strong fourth place run while Tanner Kerr had a career night with a fifth place finish. Rounding out the top ten was David Watts, Gerald Davis, Joey Leavell, Rick Singleton was ninth after recovering from the flat and Andy Fries was 10th. Walker Arthur would take the 11th spot in the final rundown.

The series will now be off for a month before the October 14th and 15th event at the Rock/Allegany County Speedway in Cumberland, MD with the $5,000 to win Western Maryland Nationals.

OFFICIAL RESULTS(40 LAPS):

1. 73 Greg Roberson

2. 83 Booper Bare

3. 2 Justin Williams

4. 5B Wes Bonebrake

5. 41* Tanner Kerr

6. 04 David Watts

7. 28 Gerald Davis

8. 8L Joey Leavell

9. 99* Rick Singleton

10. 82 Andy Fries

11. 87 Walker Arthur

12. 18 Rick Hulson

13. 5H Matt Howsare

14. 11 Tim Stallnaker

15. 117 Kyle Merkel

16. 14 David Bennett

17. 1 Chris Barger

18. 44 John Robinson

19. 08 Michael Alderman

20. 19 David Puckett

21. 59 Charles Wyant

22. G6 Billy Beachler

23. 118 Sean Merkel

24. 66C Matt Cosner

Cline Construction Co. Heat Races

Heat 1: Roberson, Cosner, K. Merkel, Watts, Hulson, Leavell, Barger, Kenny Geer, Alderman, Rick Knight,DNS: Phillip Woods

Heat 2: Singleton, Williams, Bennett, Davis, Fries, Howsare, S. Merkel, Beachler, Daniel Snead, Lee Jamerson

Heat 3: Bare, Kerr, Bonebrake, Arthur, Stalnaker, Robinson, Puckett, Wyant, Ricky Almond DNS: Frankie Helmick

Crim’s Trailers Sales B-Main: Barger, S.Merkel, Puckett, Wyant, Beachler, Geer, Alderman, Almond, Jamerson, Snead

Cautions: 3

Margin of Victory: 1.049 seconds

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Special thanks to the following: Market America, D&D Auto Recycling, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Glory Days Grill, Cecil B. Arthur General Contractors, Bernheisel Race Components & Lazer Chassis, WRT & Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography, Revolution Band, Muddslinger Web Services, Walrus Signs & Embroidery, Hoosier Tires, Advanced Race Wear, Crims Trailer Sales, Area Auto Racing News, In the Pits Radio 106.7 The Fan, Go Fast Be Safe, Handy Dans Landscaping, Cline Construction, All About Doors, Merkel Rebar, ARC Race Cars, Cecil B. Arthur Bucking Bulls & Beef Farm and Omps Garage.

"The Rocketman" sweeps the weekend at Eastside and NBS....

D&D Auto Recycling Steel Block Bandits
Eastside Speedway
Waynesboro, VA
September 9, 2011

24 cars signed in for the Steel Block Bandits event at Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro, VA Friday night, the first night of a Shenandoah Valley Doubleheader along with Natural Bridge Speedway on Saturday night. Time trials saw Greg Roberson of Waynesboro, VA with a time of 18.854 seconds set quick time, David Watts of Buchanan, VA was second quick at 18.880, and Rick Singleton of Hesston, PA was third quick with a time of 18.896 seconds. Three heat races were run off with Greg Roberson, David Watts, and Joey Leavell taking the heat race wins. No B-Main was needed as the full field qualified and the feature would be set with a pill draw that saw Greg Roberson start on the pole with Joey Leavell alongside.

At the green flag Roberson charged into the lead with fervor over Joey Leavell who took second ahead of Booper Bare as the first lap was completed. The caution quickly came out on lap 4 due to an incident involving Billy Beachler and Petey Coffey. From this point on the remainder of the race would be run with nary a caution pulled, as the final 36 laps would click off without a yellow flag. Greg Roberson assumed what would be the final restart with a vengeance and jumped into a lead that would continue to build. Joey Leavell would separate from third place Booper Bare as the field blistered the track at high speed. Lapped traffic would not be a problem for the fleet machine of Greg Roberson as he sliced and diced through several back of the pack battles. Much of the top group stayed the same throughout the first half of the event but as the race moved past halfway Booper Bare, who had been running third, began to fade and would be passed just past halfway by David Watts and in the subsequent laps by Rick Singleton.

As the laps clicked down in succession not much was stopping the running freight train that was Greg Roberson as he blistered the competition and held a huge lead over Joey Leavell. With eight laps to go Rick SIngleon assumed the final step of the podium as he moved into third, bypassing David Watts. Gerald Davis had also assumed the top five in the waning laps. When the checkered flag flew it was Greg Roberson tying Kyle Merkel for second most wins in series history taking his third career Bandits victory, and first Bandits win of the season. Joey Leavell of Waynesboro, VA took a strong second with Rick Singleton holding third, David Watts and Gerald Davis rounded out the top five. Walker Arthur took a quiet but a strong points finishing sixth by one position over second place man in points Booper Bare who was seventh at the line over Trever Feathers, Andy Fries and Matt Howsare rounded out the top ten.

The series will return to the Natural Bridge Speedway in Natural Bridge, VA Saturday night the 10th of September to complete the Shenandoah Valley doubleheader.

OFFICIAL RESULTS(40 LAPS):

1. 73 Greg Roberson

2. 8L Joey Leavell

3. 99* Rick Singleton

4. 04 David Watts

5. 28 Gerald Davis

6. 87 Walker Arthur

7. 83 Booper Bare

8. 27 Trever Feathers

9. 82 Andy Fries

10. 5H Matt Howsare

11. 5B Wes Bonebrake

12. 2 Mark Parks

13. 66C Matt Cosner

14. 08 Michael Alderman

15. 18H Rick Hulson

16. 118 Sean Merkel

17. 10 Daniel Brown

18. 16 Mark Brown

19. 88 Lee Jamerson

20. 117 Kyle Merkel

21. G6 Billy Beachler

22. 08B Daniel Snead

23. 13 Jeremy Coffey

24. 01 Petey Coffey

Cline Construction Co. Heat Races:

Heat 1: Roberson, Bare, Arthur, Fries, Hulson, Cosner, Jamerson, J. Coffey

Heat 2: Watts, Feathers, Parks, Davis, Alderman, Beachler,S. Merkel, Snead

Heat 3: Leavell, Singleton, Bonebrake, Howsare, M. Brown, K. Merkel, P. Coffey, D. Brown

Special thanks to the following: Market America, D&D Auto Recycling, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Glory Days Grill, Cecil B. Arthur General Contractors, Bernheisel Race Components & Lazer Chassis, WRT & Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography, Revolution Band, Muddslinger Web Services, Walrus Signs & Embroidery, Hoosier Tires, Advanced Race Wear, Crims Trailer Sales, Area Auto Racing News, In the Pits Radio 106.7 The Fan, Go Fast Be Safe, Handy Dans Landscaping, Cline Construction, All About Doors, Merkel Rebar, ARC Race Cars, Cecil B. Arthur Bucking Bulls & Beef Farm and Omps Garage.

Friday, September 9th -

$2000 to WIN

Gates open at 4pm
Racing start at 7pm

Event includes:
Time Trials
Heat Races
B-Main
40 Lap Feature - $2000 to Win

AND....

Saturday, September 10th -

$2000 to WIN

Gates Open at 3:30 pm
Driver’s Meeting at 5:15 pm
Hot Laps at 5:30 pm

Event includes:
Heat Races
B-Main
40 Lap Feature - $2000 to Win

Erica Miller
Marketing/PR/Special Events Coordinator
Steel Block Bandits
“The REAL Men of STEEL”
http://www.steelblockbandits.com
540-974-3454

Special thanks to the following: Market America, D&D Auto Recycling, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Glory Days Grill, Cecil B. Arthur General Contractors, Bernheisel Race Components & Lazer Chassis, WRT & Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography, Revolution Band, Muddslinger Web Services, Walrus Signs & Embroidery, Hoosier Tires, Advanced Race Wear, Crims Trailer Sales, Area Auto Racing News, In the Pits Radio 106.7 The Fan, Go Fast Be Safe, Handy Dans Landscaping, Cline Construction, All About Doors, Merkel Rebar, ARC Race Cars, Cecil B. Arthur Bucking Bulls & Beef Farm and Omps Garage.

Official Press Release
August 26, 2011
Steel Block Bandits Corp. Office

Management Change within The Bandits

In 2012, Butch Mayo and Greg Keister will be the new promoters and operators of the Steel Block Bandit Late Model Racing Series. Mayo and Keister come into this position with years of racing experience. Both parties have raced at tracks like Winchester, Hagerstown, Potomac, Virginia Motor, Elkins and many more.

Mayo has worked within the series from the start controlling all web site and logo designs. The last two years Mayo has been involved with rules, tech, nightly operations and flagging.

Keister has working within the series the last two years as the head tech person. Keister has assisted with nightly operations and development of motor, tire and weight rules.

Butch and Greg will bring fresh new ideas to the series. “I am looking forward to the 2012 season. Butch and I have done our homework. We will continue with the vision that Wilson set in 2009 by keeping this a local, economical and a fun series”, Greg Keister.

Items that Butch and Greg would like to pass on:

· The engine rule for 2012 will be: 365 cubic inch or less/steel block only

· Butch and Greg plan on attending a few off season events - shows, expos, etc...

· Butch and Greg will visit each team over the remainder of the season to get opinions and ideas on how to improve the series

· There will be a "drivers survey" going out at the next few events to get feedback from the drivers/crews

· There will be some changes within the membership

Butch and Greg have developed a great working relationship with the drivers. They will be leaning on the race teams for input to ensure the success of the series. “Without the drivers, there will be no series. All track promoters, racing series and race teams need to work together. The economy is still very fragile,” Butch Mayo.


Two Drivers Reinstated

The D&D Auto Recycling Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series has rescinded its suspensions of car owner, Moe Defino, and late model driver, Daniel Snead, effective Aug. 24. Defino and Snead were suspended by the series for separate off-track incidents at Bandits races earlier in the season. Defino’s incident occurred at Virginia Motor Speedway in victory lane while Snead’s incident took place in the pits at Eastside Speedway.

“I informed everyone at the driver’s meeting at Natural Bridge that Moe (Defino) would be suspended for a period of time because of his unprofessional behavior in victory lane in VMS, although I never indicated how much time it would be,” said Danny Wilson, promoter of the Steel Block Bandits series. “Two races have passed since the altercation at Virginia Motor Speedway, and I feel that this is sufficient. Moe is a quality car owner that has been successful within our series, and I hope that he will rejoin the series with added success,” Wilson continued.

In conjunction with Defino’s reinstatement, Wilson has decided to reinstate Snead at the same time. Daniel’s team was suspended for fighting after a Bandits event at Eastside Speedway. “Daniel is a very talented driver who I foresee being very successful in the late model ranks,” Wilson said.

Defino, of Baltimore, Md., is the owner of Pro Fabrications, which specializes in the manufacturing of the MD1 chassis. He has served as car owner for Severna Park, Md., driver Kyle Lear, who has two wins in the Bandits series. Lear claimed the 2010 Bandits sanctioned Western Maryland National at Allegany County Speedway and won a Bandits race at Potomac in the series’ inaugural year in 2009. Snead, of Crimora, Va., is a campaigner at the Eastside Speedway and won that track’s sportsman division title in 2010.

“Our series has been idle for a few weeks and now we’re gearing up for the Natural Bridge-Eastside double-header in early September. I feel this break has given us all ample time to regroup, refocus and start anew,” Wilson stated. “I welcome back these two gentlemen and wish them much success in their endeavors.”

The Bandits are set to return to Eastside Speedway on Sept. 9 and Natural Bridge Speedway on Sept. 10. “These two tracks have been with this series since 2009, and I can’t thank them enough for the support they have shown this series,” Wilson said. “G.W. Fitzgerald and Tim Southern of Eastside, as well as Larry and Karey Ramsey of Natural Bridge, have been some of my strongest supporters since day one, and I look forward to many more years of continued success with these two tracks and the SBB series,” Wilson said.

More than $18,000 is up for grabs in the double-header at Eastside and Natural Bridge. Both races are $2,000 to win, $150 to-start events. Walker Arthur enters the Sept. 9 race at Eastside as the point leader, holding a 34-point advantage over Booper Bare, who sits second in the standings. Rick Singleton is third in the standings, followed by Kyle Merkel and Matt Cosner, respectively.

Continue to check steelblockbandits.comin the coming days for more news and information.


The Future of Danny Wilson looks Bright

Danny Wilson, the founder of the Bandits is not walking away from racing. For the past three months, Wilson has been the promoter and operator of the Motocross track at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg Pa. Wilson will continue to promote the motocross track and work closely with Rick Jones and Oval Track Promotions at Roaring Knob and Cumberland Speedways. Wilson and Jones are also activity seeking other opportunities in hopes to bring dirt track racing to a new and much needed higher level.

Wilson is no stranger to oval track promotions. For four years Wilson was the General Manager at Winchester Speedway in which he developed an outstanding sponsorship program that many other tracks use today. Wilson did everything from mow the grass, water the track, weekly maintenance and nightly operations.

Just a few accomplishments at Winchester as Wilson was the GM:

· In 2006 Wilson was able to obtain sponsors for every race with several races having more than one sponsor

· Negotiated the deal with Coke to get a new score board

· Obtain a tractor and trailer load of guard railing

· Obtain several hundred gallons of paint

· Obtain sponsors for all racing divisions

· Started Turn 5 Turn Around

· Started the Kids Corner

Wilson left the Winchester Speedway in 2009 to start the Steel Block Bandit Late Model Racing Series. Danny Wilson and his wife Patti have worked with the drivers and track promoters to give the race fans the best possible racing series in the Mid Atlantic Region.

“The series has grown so much over the past three years. I have enjoyed working with everyone but this is a great opportunity for me and my wife”, series promoter Danny Wilson. “Butch, Greg and I have been talking about this for the past 5 months. I know they will do an outstanding job. The series will grow even bigger with their new ideas and dedication”.

Wilson went on to say, “The motocross track will be my main focus but there are other plans for me outside of Roaring Knob and Cumberland. I have new energy and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. Please show your support and welcome Butch and Greg as your new promoters of the series”.

Wilson will continue as the promoter until the end of the 2011 season.

Accomplishments within the series under Wilson’s guidance:

· 2009 – Over 105 race teams participated with the series

· 2009 – Our internet show interviewed over 100 drivers

· 2009 – Several write ups in Area Auto Racing News

· 2009 – Our series had a charitable golf tournament for the Victory Junction Camp

· 2009 – The series started the Steel Block Late Model Hall of Fame

· 2009 – Several drivers made a visit to the Winchester Medical Center on Christmas Eve to hand out gifts.

· 2010 – Over 200 race teams participated with the series

· 2010 – Two events have been taped and shown on local TV channels in Pennsylvania.

· 2010 – Three page article about the series in the Dirt Late Model Magazine.

· 2010 – Several write ups in Area Auto Racing News

· 2010 – Sponsored Miss Motorsports

· 2010 – The overall growth of our series from 2009 to 2010 more than doubled.

· 2011 – Largest series car count at Hagerstown Speedway for the Greg Kerr Memorial

· 2011 – Largest series point fund

· 2011 – Helped raise over $5000 for a young man in a golf tournament

· 2011 – Tripled the series booth size at the PA Expo Center to give the series and their drivers more exposure.

Wilson also wanted to thank all the fans, sponsors, race teams, series staff and track promoters.

Special thanks to the following:

· Calvin Davis from Augusta Motor Speedway
· Rick Jones from Oval Track Promotions
· Dave Wilt
· Ernie Davis from Ernie D’s Enterprises
· George Cline from Cline Construction
· Doug Timmons with the Three State Flyers
· Larry Ramsey from Natural Bridge Speedway
· GW Fitzgerald and Tim Southern from Eastside Speedway
· Roy Anderson from ARC
· Cliff Dove from Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography
· Walter and Heather Nichols from Walrus Signs and Embroidery
· Cecil B Arthur and Walker Arthur from Cecil B Arthur General Contractors
· The Merkels from Merkel Rebar
· Jonathon Dehaven
· Bruce Kane from All About Doors
· Glory Days Grill in Winchester
· Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic
· Kris Looney
· Mike Donald
· Butch Mayo from Mudslinger Web Services
· Greg Keister
· Mitch and Erica Miller
· Jimmy Richards
· Brad Omps
· Scott Merryman
· David Kaiser
· Gerald Davis

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Special thanks to the following: Market America, D&D Auto Recycling, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Glory Days Grill, Cecil B. Arthur General Contractors, Bernheisel Race Components & Lazer Chassis, WRT & Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography, Revolution Band, Muddslinger Web Services, Walrus Signs & Embroidery, Hoosier Tires, Advanced Race Wear, Crims Trailer Sales, Area Auto Racing News, In the Pits Radio 106.7 The Fan, Go Fast Be Safe, Handy Dans Landscaping, Cline Construction, All About Doors, Merkel Rebar, ARC Race Cars, Cecil B. Arthur Bucking Bulls & Beef Farm and Omps Garage.

The August 13th event for the Bandits at Roaring Knob Speedway has been moved to Oct. 22nd and 23rd with the purse upped to $4000 to win/$200 to start. This is also a time trialed event with 10 lap heats, 15 lap B-main/s and 40 lap Feature. “Rick Jones has always been a big supporter of the Steel Block Bandits and this is another way of him stepping it up for our race teams”, series promoter Danny Wilson.

Rick also informed the series that the winner from the Oct. 15th event at THE ROCK will be a guaranteed starter on Oct. 23rd at Roaring Knob.

The Three State Flyers and other supporting divisions will be racing at Roaring Knob on Aug 13th.

www.roaringknob.com

www.steelblockbandits.com

Erica Miller
Marketing/PR/Special Events Coordinator
Steel Block Bandits
“The REAL Men of STEEL”
http://www.steelblockbandits.com
540-974-3454

Special thanks to the following: Market America, D&D Auto Recycling, Ernie D’s Enterprises, Glory Days Grill, Cecil B. Arthur General Contractors, Bernheisel Race Components & Lazer Chassis, WRT & Cliff Dove Motorsports Photography, Revolution Band, Muddslinger Web Services, Walrus Signs & Embroidery, Hoosier Tires, Advanced Race Wear, Crims Trailer Sales, Area Auto Racing News, In the Pits Radio 106.7 The Fan, Go Fast Be Safe, Handy Dans Landscaping, Cline Construction, All About Doors, Merkel Rebar, ARC Race Cars, Cecil B. Arthur Bucking Bulls & Beef Farm and Omps Garage.