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The Mid-Atlantic Championship Series crowned its 2007 Champion, Jason Covert, Saturday, January 5, at Rustic Lodge, in Indiana, PA. Covert collected almost $26,000 in cash and prizes from the nearly $104,000 in posted awards.
The total awards packages for each competitor is reflective of the posted awards and not necessarily the exact amount a driver received. According to Series rules, to receive the full posted awards (cash, prizes, contingencies and bonuses) a driver must participate in at least 90% of the shows as well as be represented at the banquet. Those drivers not meeting that criterion had their earnings prorated according to the prescribed rules and procedures. The total posted cash, prizes, and awards for 2007 was $103,760.
Dan Stone finished tenth in the final standings gaining 1,585 points. Dan earned $4,365 in appearances. Dan drives the Warren and Tootsie Stone Rocket Monte Carlo powered by either a 430 Cornett Lighting Racing Engines or Edge Racing Engines Chevrolet mounted with AFCO Shocks and shod with American Racers. His supporters include: Stone’s Excavating, NEP Telephone, and James T. O’Hara Construction. Dan’s accomplishments included: 2 top 10’s in feature action and 1 heat win. Dan’s prize package was valued at $3,625.
Finishing ninth was Jim Bernheisel. In his ’07 Series appearances he earned $8,275 garnering 1,970 points. Jim is an owner/operator and pilots’ one of his own Lazer GTO Chassis powered by a 410 Edge Racing Engines Chevrolet mounted with AFCO shocks and American Racer Tires. The team posted one top five and 6 top ten A Main finishes in feature action. His sponsor’s include Russ Gibble Roofing; Advanced Development; Morrissey’s Meats, and Bernheisel Race Cars Inc. Jim’s prize package was valued at $4,255.
Chuck Clise eighth place finisher. Chuck, runner-up in the MACS ROY hunt accumulated 2,310 points. Chuck drives the TC Race Cars Rocket GTO powered by a 430 Cosner Racing Engines Chevrolet equipped with Advanced Shocks and American Racer Tires on board.
Chuck’s prize package included: Cash; A Royal Crown Trophy; $250 Gift Certificate from Impact Graphics; $200 Gift Certificate from ATL; $200 Gift Certificate from Design 500; $200 Gift Certificate from Genesis Shocks; $200 Gift Certificate from AlturnaMats®; $100 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; $100 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; A Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; 2 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo, Bosick, Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $500; Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85; and a Fleece American Racer Pullover from Lias Tire Racing Division $50.00 value. Chuck’s prize package is valued at $5,675.
Former 2002 MACS Champion Jack Pencil nailed down a solid seventh place finish in the final standings. He amassed 2,340 points earning $11,550. Jack chauffeurs the Pencil Racing Rocket GTO powered by a 400 Russell Baker Chevrolet with Integra shocks mounted with American Racer Tires. In “A” Main action the Flyin’ School Teacher” drove to 6 top 4 finishes. Jack’s backers include R&L Insulation and Abatement; Stoystown Auto Wreckers; Baker’s Blox Center; Lankey’s Sleep Zone; American Racer; Sunoco Race Fuels; Townsend Gas & Oil; Keller Engineering; Robert Wilk Agency of Nationwide Insurance.
Jack’s prize package included: Cash from the Series as well as for his second place finish in AlturnaMats® Dash King competition; A Royal Crown Trophy; $800 Gift Certificate from Chase Decals for a Decal WRAP; $400 in Gift Certificates from AlturnaMats®; $200 Gift Certificate from Genesis Shocks; $200 ATL Gift Certificate; $100 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; A Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; $50 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; 2 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $500; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85; and a Fleece American Racer Pullover from Lias Tire Racing Division $50.00 value. Jack’s prize package was valued at $6,475.
The sixth place finisher was the Rob Blair who captured an “A” Main win at Central Pennsylvania Speedway and accrued 2,865 points earning $16,625 along the way. Rob chauffeurs either a Rocket Grand Prix or Monte Carlo that is driven by either a 430 Draime Engines or Custom Racing Engines Chevrolet mounted with Genesis shocks and equipped with Hoosier Tires. The “Titusville Terror” also earned 6 top 4’s, 9 top 10’s, as well as 3 heat wins. Blair sponsors include: Specialty Products; Bossard’s Used Auto Parts; Maloney Tool and Mold; Armstrong Lumber; Chelby’s Tanning and Hair Garage; Moody & Son Welding; Hypercoils; Simpson; Slavic, and VP Racing Fuels.
Rob’s prize package included: Cash from the Series as well as for finishing 3rd in the AlturnaMats® Shock The Clock Time Trials and 5th in the WRISCO Aluminum Hard Charger Chase; A Royal Crown Trophy; $600 Gift Certificate from ATL; $450 Gift Certificate from Design 500; $400 in Gift Certificates from AlturnaMats®; $400 Gift Certificate from Genesis Shocks; $200 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; Two Duralite Wheel Cover systems valued at $120.00; $100 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; $30.00 Red Lincoln Welding Jacket – Lincoln Electric; 2 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo, Bosick, Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $500; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85. Blair’s prize package is valued at $6,875.
Fifth place was Matt Lux who also captured the 2007 MACS ROY title in his first year traveling with the Series. He concluded his first full season with the Series accruing 3,170 points earning $10,635 along the way. Matt chauffeurs the Rocket GTO powered by a 430 Cornett Lighting Racing Engines Chevrolet and mounted with American Racers. The “Franklin Flyer” participated in all 13 shows earning 5 top 10’s in feature action as well as one heat win and three B main wins. Matt’s backers include: AlturnaMats®; Equipment World; Gierlach Crushing and Contracting; Frame RV Center; Maloney Tool & Mold; DICA; Hilltop Beverage; Wedge Motorsports; American Racer; Simpson; and Fluidyne.
“I’d like to thank my crew Mike, Brad, Dave, my brother for the website, my wife Ramona, Mom for the food for all the weekends, all the people who support us and invest their money into not only but racing,” the 2007 MACS ROY said while on stage. “It’s a great series; we really enjoyed this past season and look forward to doing it again.”
Matt’s prize package included: Cash from the Series, MACS Rookie of the Year Award, and Bazell Oil/Sunoco Race Fuels; A Royal Crown Trophy; JNJ Motorsports Media ‘Hall of Fame’ package valued at $700; $400 Gift Certificate from Simpson Racing Products for a New Helmet; $400 Gift Certificate from Ron Fleenor the “Helmet God” for a custom helmet paint job; $250 Watch from the Series for claiming the MACS Rookie of the Year title; $250 Gift Certificate from Design 500; $200 Gift Certificate from Genesis Shocks; $200 Gift Certificate from ATL; $100 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; $100 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; 2 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $500; Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85 plus a $100 gift certificate for pictures of your choice; and an American Racer Fleece pullover from Lias Tire Racing Division, $50. Matt’s prize package is valued at $10,275.00.
Anchoring fourth in the final standings was Doug Drown who gained 3,200 points along the way earning $15,670. He recorded his career first MACS “A” Main win at Portsmouth Raceway Park as well as 3 top 4’s, 5 top 10’s in feature events plus two heat wins. The “Wooster Warrior” took the “Plum Crazy Tour” in ’07 piloting a Rocket Fusion powered by a 430 Malcuit Racing Engines FORD mounted with Genesis shocks and shod with Hoosier Tires. Doug’s sponsors include Wooster Glass; BERT Transmission; Mason Racin’; Malcuit Race Engines; Slavic Custom Racing Shirts and Decals; Farr Motorsports; Lehman Motorsports Services; Hypercoils, WRISCO Aluminum.
Drown’s prize package included: Cash from the Series, Bazell Oil/Sunoco Race Fuels, as well as for a fourth place finish in the AlturnaMats® Shock the Clock Time Trials and fourth in the WRISCO Aluminum Hard Charger Chase; A Royal Crown Trophy; $600 gift certificate from Genesis Shocks; LINCOLN Electric SA135 MIG welder valued at $600.00; 3 Duralite non-beadlock wheels valued at $550; $450 gift certificate from Deign 500; $400 Gift Certificate from AlturnaMats®; $400 Gift Certificate from ATL Fuel Cells; $250 Gift Certificate from Dave Poske’s Performance Parts; $100 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; $100 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; 2 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $500; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85. Doug’s prize package is valued at $10,575.
The “Floodwall Flyer” Mike Balzano in his third season on the road with the Series rode home in third place in the final points rundown gaining 3,340 points and earning $18,430. Mike, the 2005 MACS Champion, is the owner/operator of the infamous E1 Rocket Monte Carlo with power supplied by a 430 Cornett Lighting Racing Engines Chevrolet mounted with Ohlins shocks and cloaked with Hoosier Tires. His ’07 labors included 5 top 4’s, 9 top 10’s as well as 2 heat checkers. Balzano’s supporters include Polino Construction; Eddie’s Auto Parts; Sunoco Racing Fuels Turbo Blue, X-1R Racing Products; Outerwears Prefilters; Frankland Racing Products; Hypercoils; Scott Performance Wires; Weld Racing Wheels; Mason Racin’; WRISCO Aluminum; Performance Bodies; and K Graphics.
Balzano’s prize package included: Cash from the Series, Bazell Oil/Sunoco Race Fuels, as well as for winning the AlturnaMats® Dash King Competition and a second in the AlturnaMats® Shock the Clock Time Trials; A Royal Crown Trophy; BERT Transmission Rear End valued at $2,000; $800 Gift Certificate from Chase Decals for a WRAP Decal package; $700 Gift Certificate from Brian Tidball Motorsports Media Services; A LINCOLN Electric SA135 MIG welder valued at $600.00; A beadlock wheel with the new wheel cover system from Duralite valued at $310; $300 Gift Certificate Design 500; $200 Gift Certificate for AlturnaMats®; $250 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; $100 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; 3 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $750; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85 plus a $100 gift certificate for a pictures package. Mike’s prize package is valued at $13,535.
The second place finisher, in his best finish in his four years participating with the Series was “Hot Rod” Rod Conley who finished 160 markers short of his quest for the title. Rod gained 3,435 points earning $17,845. He drives the Conley Motorsports 71R Rocket Monte Carlo powered by a 430 Draime Racing Engines Chevrolet with Ohlins Shocks and Hoosier Tires on board. Conley compiled 5 top 4’s, 8 top 10’s and 4 heat wins. His loyal boosters include Draime, Rocket, Hoosier, Cornett Building Supplies, Vinyl Kraft Windows, Bazell Oil/Sunoco, Impact Graphics, Snap-On, Design 500, WRISCO Aluminum, Dave Poske Performance Parts, Mason Racin’ and Communications.
“If it isn’t any fun, it isn’t worth doing I don’t care if you have a million dollars or two dollars, if it isn’t any fun, it isn’t worth doing and this past year, I had a blast!,” proclaimed ‘Hot’ Rod Conley when accepting his awards. “I have to thank my wife Jackie of course, and Scott because I am an absolute bear to put up with when I’m doing badly. I have to thank all of my sponsors because it takes a lot to do this thing, it takes a lot of dedication from everyone involved, the Series guys, everyone on the crews, it takes a lot of work to be able to go racing every week but, if it isn’t any fun, it isn’t worth doing and I’ll tell you what, I had a blast this year!”
Hot Rod’s prize package included: Cash from the Series, Bazell Oil/Sunoco Race Fuels, as well as third in the WRISCO Aluminum Hard Charger Chase; A Royal Crown Trophy; Four Aluminum wheels from Keizer Racing Wheels courtesy of Huisman Racing Enterprises valued at $1,200; $800 Gift Certificate for a Decal package from Impact Graphics; A LINCOLN Electric SA135 MIG welder valued at $600.00; $500 Gift Certificate from Design 500; $450 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; $400 Gift Certificate for Genesis Shocks; $400 Gift Certificate from ATL; $400 gift certificate for AlturnaMats®; $400 Gift Certificate from Mason Racin’; Gift Certificate for Aluminum from WRISCO Aluminum; An Auto Darkening Welding Helmet from Dale Oxygen valued at $180; 4 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $1,000; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85 plus a $150 picture package. Conley’s prize package is valued at $15,105.
Reigning 2006 Champion, Jason Covert defended his crown capturing the 2007 title. Jason won the Championship on the strength of an impressive winning season posting 3,595 points while earning $42,115. With his seasons earning plus tonight’s point fund awards brings his total for the 2007 season with the MACS Series to almost $68,000. Covert defeated 287 different drivers from 10 states competing in all Series “A” mains.
Statistically, the 43A team amassed a phenomenally successful year with 2 huge A Main wins including Ernie Shelton’s USA 100 TM at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway cashing in on the $10,000 top prize as well as the an equivalent amount during the ‘Glockner Toyota Tundra 75’ at Portsmouth Raceway Park. He also notched A Main wins at Bobby Roher’s Eriez Speedway and the Opening night of the Big Kahuna VII at “The Rock”. Additionally, he posted 10 top 4’s and 12 top 10’s plus 3 heat wins accompanied by 2 B Main checkers. Jason pilots Barry Klinedinst Rocket Monte Carlo powered by a Hershey Racing Engines 410 Chevrolet mounted with Ohlins shocks and shod with American Racers. His loyalists are Pre-Machine Inc.; Red Wing Shoes; Hershey Racing Engines; Rocket Chassis; Autolite; Baker Carburetion; Mazak; Kuppy’s Diner; Dennis Eberly Building & Remodeling, WRISCO Aluminum; Robbie Allen Enterprises; Bam’s Auto Center; Rick Kaylor Computer Consulting and JNJ Motorsports Media.
The champion shared a few comical stories about not only himself but his fellow competitors on the tour this past year but also accepted his championship awards package with his daughter at his side. “I want to thank Barry (Klinedinst) for giving me the opportunity to do this…again. I like being able to say again!” After thanking his sponsors and crew, Jason went on to thank his parents. “I think my mom had a tough year, she didn’t make it to many races this year but she was of as big as a part as my dad was getting this whole racing deal going, working all day at the factory then working all day at the farm and letting me do what I do.”
Jason’s Prize package included: Cash from the Series, Bazell Oil/Sunoco Race Fuels, as well as First in the WRISCO Aluminum Hard Charger Chase; third in the AlturnaMats® Dash King Competition and fifth in the AlturnaMats® Shock the Clock Time Trials; A Royal Crown Trophy; A Gift Certificate for a Rocket Chassis valued at $4,800; A Diamond Studded Ruby Championship Ring from King’s Jewelry valued at $1,500; a Carbon Fiber Drive Shaft from ACPT valued at $900; JNJ Motorsports Media ‘Hall of Fame’ Package valued at $700; A LINCOLN Electric SA135 MIG welder valued at $600.00; A Commemorative Watch for the 2007 Hard Charger Award $250; $500 Gift Certificate from Frankland Racing Supplies; $400 Gift Certificate for a Custom Racing Helmet design from the “Helmet God” Ron Fleenor; $300 Gift Certificate Design 500; A Gift Certificate for $300 from Booze Brothers Racing for a new Helmet; Leather and wool Collegiate Championship Jacket courtesy of the series valued at $250; $200 Gift Certificate from AlturnaMats®; $130 embroidered American Racer Jacket from Lias Tire Racing Division; 5 Hours of Free Legal Consultation from Attorney Louis Long of Pietragallo Bosick Alfano Gordon & Raspanti, LLP., valued at $1,250; and a Sue Stevenson Photography photo collage valued at $85 plus a $200 picture package. Jason’s prize package is valued at $25,705.
The driver’s wives were presented with a $150 prize package furnished by the Series, Penny Blose from Country Candles, and Attorney Louis Long. The packages included a Victoria Secret gift certificate or a King’s Jewelry gift certificate as well as a Mary Kay Cosmetic package supplied by beauty consultant Jackie Conley, and a candle set.
Ten year old Kaitlyn Barackman, Weedville, PA, daughter of Chris and Lisa Barackman was awarded a new IBM Laptop for her efforts in the Checkin’ Out Reading program. She logged over 15,059 pages read in over 133 hours. The computer was provided and presented by Barry Klinedinst, Championship car owner and Jason Covert.
Two other youngsters were awarded $50 gift certificates from Circuit City for their efforts and they were Caleb Barackman, 7, and last years top Checkin’ Out Reading winner, 10 year old Rachael Caretti.
Each of the Series sponsors was presented with a token of appreciation for their support of the MACS organization from the Ebony Collection of Fine Awards.
There will be two major Series change’s for the upcoming 2008 racing season. The first is a race format change as the Dash is being eliminated for 2008. Procedurally, the fastest eight drivers that transferred from the heats must be at the MACS table within five minutes after the final heats is finished for a pill draw for the top eight starting position in the feature. Drivers will be permitted to draw in order of finishing preference from each heat. Drivers not present when the draw starts will be left with the remaining pill or pills. The second will be the mandatory use of the RACEceiver® One-Way Radio. RACEceiver® One-Way Radio’s will be utilized at each MACS event as former Pit Steward Mark Hawk will accept the role as Race Director. Competitors can purchase or rent the units and accessories at each MACS event
Tracks that have scheduled dates thus far for 2008 include: “The Rock” (MD); Bedford (PA); Lernerville (PA), Portsmouth Raceway Park (OH), Hilltop (OH), Sharon Speedway (OH), and Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway (VA).
New Sponsors for 2008 include: George LaBarbera’s Big Shot Performance, LLC. Shock Saver with one Shock Saver being awarded to each Feature winner as well as a contribution for the point fund as well as the banquet in January 2009; Huisman Racing Enterprises is providing $4,000 worth of gift certificates throughout the year and for next years banquet plus four Keizer Racing Wheels at the 2007 awards banquet.
MACS Facts:
• The average number of drivers participating per event was 46. The highest car count for the past season was 61 while the low was 35.
• Ten different winners visited victory lane from the 13 events presented which represents 77% of the time a different driver sat in victory lane.
• Jason now notches his place in Series history as the third driver to not only repeat as a champion but do so back-to-back. The list of Series Champions includes Chamberlain (‘97-‘98), Lynn Geisler (‘99-‘00), Mike Blose (‘01), Pencil (’02), Chuck Harper (‘03), Rob Blair (’04), and Balzano in 2005.
• 14 Series Events were scheduled in 2007, they include:
April 7 – Allegany County Speedway (Cumberland , MD ) – Weather
May 25 – Skyline Speedway (Stewart , OH ) – Josh McGuire
May 26 – Portsmouth Raceway Park (Portsmouth , OH ) – Jackie Boggs
May 27 – Central Pennsylvania Speedway (Clearfield , PA ) – Rob Blair
July 3 – Eriez Speedway (Hammett , PA ) – Jason Covert
July 13 – Bedford Speedway (Bedford , PA ) – Bo Feathers
Aug.18 – Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway (Jamaica , VA ) – Jason Covert
David Williams and Steve Shaver won the 25-lap preliminary events
Aug. 31 – Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway (Sarver , PA ) – Chub Frank
Sept. 1 - Portsmouth Raceway Park (Portsmouth , OH ) – Doug Drown
Sept. 2 – Portsmouth Raceway Park (Portsmouth, OH ) – Jason Covert
Sept. 21 – Hilltop Speedway (Millersburg , OH ) – David Scott
Sept. 22 – Skyline Speedway (Stewart, OH ) – Steve Shaver
Oct. 5 – ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway (Cumberland , MD ) – Jason Covert
Oct. 6 – ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway (Cumberland , MD ) – Ricky Elliott
2007 FINAL Mid-Atlantic Championship Series Point Standings:
1. #43A – Jason Covert 3,595 pts.
2. #71R – Rod Conley 3,435 pts.
3. #E1 – Mike Balzano 3,340 pts.
4. #12D – Doug Drown 3,200 pts.
5. #21 – Matt Lux 3,170 pts.
6. #W11 – Rob Blair 2,865 pts.
7. #14P – Jack Pencil 2,430 pts.
8. #5 – Chuck Clise 2,310 pts.
9. #119 – Jim Bernheisel 1,970 pts.
10. #21D – Dan Stone 1,585 pts.
Additional information on the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series can be found on www.macsracing.com.
Thank you for your continued support of the series, host facilities, drivers, and sponsors.
Andy Geesey – President – (724) 549-1480
Matt Geesey - Vice President – (724) 349-4282
Jeff Geesey - Secretary/Treasurer – (724) 465-2222
Email - macs1@verizon.net
Written and Distributed by:
Jason Shank – JNJ Motorsports Media / Mid-Atlantic Championship Series
www.jnjmotorsportsmedia.com, www.macsracing.com |
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