FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2012
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Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series head to Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway

Early American settlers trekked westward searching for gold; the Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series will travel westward and allow drivers to compete for their own form of prosperity, known as the checkered flag.

The SBB series heads west to make its inaugural visit to Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS), July 28. This half-mile clay oval, under the direction of Matt Miley, has been one of Pennsylvania’s premier facilities since 1979. Many drivers have found their own pot of gold at PPMS in prestigious events, such as the Pittsburgher and Red Miley Rumble.

“We’re very excited to have a premier facility like PPMS secure a race with our series,” said Butch Mayo, co-promoter of the SBB. “We reached out to Matt Miley to secure a race for the Bandits at PPMS because of his extensive involvement in racing, including the UFO Series. It’s definitely a shot in the arm for our series to have a promoter like Matt show the confidence in what we’re doing within the steel block racing community,” Mayo added.

The SBB promoters are working with PPMS to add incentives for the race teams competing in the Bandits race on July 28. “We have some things in mind that we believe will be enticing for the drivers. We will be making those announcements as the race date approaches,” said Greg Keister, co-promoter of the SBB.

More information on PPMS can be obtained at www.ppms.com. Additionally, please continue to monitor www.steelblockbandits.com as the series will make announcements on venues, sponsors and drivers for the upcoming 2012 SBB racing season.

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The Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series is roaring back to North Carolina.

The SBB Series, under the direction of co-promoters Butch Mayo and Greg Keister, is set to blister the half-mile high banks of 311 Motor Speedway on July 7. This marks the series’ first visit to Mike Fulp’s facility and the third year in a row the series has competed in North Carolina.

“We appreciate Mike Fulp inviting the Bandits to compete at his fine facility,” said Keister. “The North Carolina area has a lot of talented drivers, and the Bandits have always put on great shows when visiting this area of the Mid-Atlantic,” he added.

The 311 Motor Speedway, which opened in 1965, features weekly racing. The Fastrak late models and steel head late models are among the track’s top divisions. “When Danny Wilson (original promoter of the SBB) began this series, he promoted it as a Mid-Atlantic series. Being able to race at 311 allows us to continue that original vision,” Mayo stated.

The 311 Motor Speedway is just one of multiple tracks to make its debut on the Steel Block Bandits tour. The series’ co-owners are continuing to work with other track promoters in the Mid-Atlantic area to finalize details on the series’ upcoming 2012 racing schedule.

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The Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series is pleased to announce that Natural Bridge Speedway has secured two Bandits races for the 2012 racing season.

The Virginia facility, which hosted the first-ever Bandits race in 2009, is one of the series’ charter tracks and has hosted Bandits races each of the last four seasons. Larry and Karey Ramsey’s historic facility will host the first Bandits event, June 15, with the second race to follow on Sept. 8. Tentatively, the first date is set for $2,000 to win, while the second race is set for a $1,500 to-win feature.

“Natural Bridge Speedway has always been a great friend to this series", and Greg (Keister). "I can’t thank Larry and Karey enough for continually showing confidence in the Steel Block Bandits and being a proponent of what the series has to offer,” said Butch Mayo, co-promoter of the SBB Series.

The Bandit competed at NBS three times last season. J.R. Overstreet grabbed the checkers in the first Bandits race, while 2011 NBS late model champion, Justin Williams, secured the second victory. Greg Roberson claimed the third Bandits victory at NBS last season. In doing so, he set Bandits history by winning two SBB features in a row, as he had also claimed victory in SBB action the night before at Eastside.

“The series has always put on great shows at the Bridge,” said Greg Keister, co-promoter of the SBB Series. “The fans have always enjoyed the series being there. We’re very excited to be coming back to such a fine facility,” he added. The three-eighth mile clay oval has hosted racing action since 1954, and it’s the home track of series announcer, Mike Donald. “I grew up about 10 miles from NBS, and I have cherished memories of going to that track often throughout the years. I am privileged to be a travelling announcer, but it feels like a family reunion each time I have the pleasure of returning there,” Donald said.

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The green flag has waved, and the Steel Block Bandits Late Model Series is racing back to Eastside Speedway in 2012.

The Virginia facility, which has supported stock car racing since 1953, will host the SBB series twice this season. The Bandits will roll into Eastside on June 16 and return on Sept. 7.  Both races are tentatively set as $1,500 to-win events.

Eastside, a charter track for the series, has held SBB races since 2009. This four-tenth clay oval is under the direction of promoters, G.W. and Tish Fitzgerald, and general manager, Tim Southern.   “Eastside has been with the series since the beginning, and we appreciate the relationship that has been built between Eastside and the Bandits over the years.  We’ve always considered Eastside to be an essential part of the Bandit family,” said Butch Mayo, co-promoter of the SBB Series.

Eastside Speedway hosted three Bandits races last season. D.J. Troutman and Booper Bare took the checkered flag in the first two races, and 2010 Eastside late model champion, Greg Roberson, claimed the top prize in the third event. “Eastside has hosted multiple SBB races throughout the years and has always been one of our loyal supporters. This dedication exhibited by Eastside is definitely one the series reflects back to the track and its drivers,” said Greg Keister, co-promoter of the SBB.

As race dates at other venues are now being set, the new promoters are working hard to prepare an appropriate game plan for each event. Concerning Eastside, Keister said, “Butch and I will be working personally with the Fitzgeralds and Tim to ensure the SBB races at Eastside will be ones that the track, drivers, fans and series can be proud to be a part of.”