Just as the Fan Appreciation Night activities were concluding in the infield pits and drivers began taking their race cars back up into the outside pits to prepare for hotlaps to begin, heavy rain moved over the track. By the time rain ended there was no way the track could be worked into shape to run the five-division racing program of “Gateway Ford” Super Late Models, “Courtesy Chevrolet” Crate Late Models, “Rusty Wallace Toyota” Hobby Stocks, “Century 21 Masengill-McCrary Realtors” Mini Stocks, and IMCA Open Wheel Modifieds.

In what will be a two-night racing weekend on Friday and Saturday, July 11-12, tonight’s rained-out Fan Appreciation Night racing program will be held on Friday, July 11. Grandstand tickets from June 28 must be used on Friday, July 11 only, along with pit armbands from June 28.

Throughout the night (July 11) the track will have many prize giveaways to distribute to lucky fans in attendance.

The pit gate opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 11 and the grandstand gate opens at 5 p.m. Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then feature racing action.

“Well, what are you to do?” said track owner Joe Loven, while shaking his head. “None of us can control the weather, that’s for sure. It was great seeing this large turnout of fans tonight, and with the strong field of cars present I believe we were going to see some really good racing. All these drivers really look forward to ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ as much as the fans do, because it’s an opportunity where they (drivers) can meet the fans up-close who sit up in the grandstands every week and cheer for them.

“I’m not complaining because we got rain, because it’s been awfully dry of late and the region needs any precipitation we can get. Just look around, and everything is turning brown because of lack of rainfall. But it’s kind disappointing to see the looks on the faces of some of the fans who really were looking forward to a night of exciting racing. We’ll just come back in a couple of weeks and give the fans two separate nights of racing with full five-division racing programs each night.”

Besides Friday, July 11, another complete five-division racing program will be held on Saturday, July 12 … featuring “Gateway Ford” Super Late Models, “Courtesy Chevrolet” Crate Late Models, “Rusty Wallace Toyota” Hobby Stocks, “Century 21 Masengill-McCrary Realtors” Mini Stocks, and IMCA Open Wheel Modifieds.

Back-to-back nights of racing at “The Gap” on Friday and Saturday, July 11-12 … it just doesn’t get any better.

Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com or

Robert Walden-Media/Public Relations Director: (423) 928-9644.