The fuse was lit Friday on the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway with tremendous side-by-side racing.

Unfortunately, rain the rest of the weekend forced the postponement of the race until July 29.

Despite the efforts of track general manager Gary Risch Jr. and the track crew to have the track ready when it stopped raining late Saturday night, World of Outlaw officials, without any explanation, decided not to start the race.

Mike Blose of New Bethlehem, Pa., got everyone's attention in the second heat after the late model racer went over the hill in turn three. Blose was battling for the third and final transfer spot when his car spun out of control backward over the hill and brought out the red flag.

The crowd rose to its feet and cheered loudly when Blose brought the damaged car back up the hill and into the pit area for repairs. With the fans behind him, he returned to the rear of the field and made his way through the pack to finish third and qualify for the Firecracker 100.

Blose, 50, who missed the early part of the season recuperating from shoulder surgery, will start 14th in the rescheduled race.

NHRA Alcohol Funny Car driver Bobby Martin from Beaver Falls won his first National Event "Wally" at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Mike Kosky, 64, of South Fayette lost in the Alcohol Dragster final when his dragster suffered mechanical problems.

Mercer Raceway Park will have the inaugural "Small Car Nationals" tonight featuring Mod Lites, INEX Legend Cars in a National Touring Event, Micro Sprints, and Mini Stocks. Also on the schedule is a 150-lap Enduro paying $1,000-to-win. MRP will not race tomorrow. ... Lernerville Speedway is back in action tonight with its four weekly divisions. The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars return July 15 for the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup race with $40,000 going to the winner. ... Motordrome Speedway will have fan appreciation night with $5 general admission, fireworks and NASCAR's Whelen All-American Series. ... Dog Hollow Speedway is in action tonight. ... Pittsburgh Raceway Park, the IHRA drag strip, has Door Jamz featuring Nitrous, Blown and Turbo charged street vehicles, plus all other classes tomorrow.. PRP has IHRA Pro-AM July 11-12 and IHRA Pittsburgh Thunder Nationals July 13. ... Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway has all divisions in action plus driver autograph night at 7 p.m. tomorrow. ... Sharon Speedway has midseason championship points night tomorrow. ... Tri-City Speedway has the ATVA Nationals tonight and Sunday.