Covert Garners Thrilling Career First MACS Victory in “MACS Attack III” at Hesston

Covert Garners Thrilling Career First MACS Victory in “MACS Attack III” at Hesston

posted by Admin on 02/03/08

Nineteen year veteran, Jason Covert, York Haven, PA, thrilled the near capacity crowd garnering his first career Mid-Atlantic Championship victory during the “MACS Attack III” at Gina and Ryan Lynn’s, Hesston Speedway, Hesston, PA., collecting $5,000 for his toils. In victory lane an excited Covert commented, “I’ve always dreamt about winning a big race and it just worked out tonight.” “This win is for my dad and my mom who didn’t make it; he always said he wanted me to be a racecar driver. We finally won a big race and it’s sanctioned, that’s a pretty big deal to me so this win is for him,” concluded the jubilant winner.
Denny Chamberlain and Bob Close paced the brimming 26 car field for the 50-lap A Main presented by Jrene Inc., Trucking and Excavating. Eventual winner Covert resided in seventh on the grid.
Close shot out of the chalks taking command over Davey Johnson, David Scott, Ron Davies, and Jeremy Miller by the completion of the first circuit. Close led the first four circuits over Johnson, Miller who slotted into third on the second revolution, Scott, and Covert who joined the top quintet.
Johnson had sized up Close and by lap 5 he shot past the leader taking command of the top spot. By lap 6, Miller dove underneath Close into second. Miller eyed the leader Johnson’s every move.
On lap 12, Miller slung past Johnson coming out of turn four grabbing the lead while Covert edged Close to fourth. Johnson wanted nothing of Miller’s advances and fought back regaining the top spot on lap 13 as the top five were nip and tuck for position.
Johnson caught the tail of the field on the next circuit with Miller looking to gain an advantage as the duo worked through lapped traffic. Miller worked the inside rail while Johnson rode the middle groove.
On lap 14, Miller slightly miscalculated and clipped an inside tire barrier in turn four breaking his bumper which abruptly ended his fine run bringing out the first of five cautions. At that juncture, Johnson was still on point over Covert, who inherited second; Close; Scott and Jim Bernheisel, from twelfth.
Johnson and Covert paced the double-file restart to the cone and blazed the field back to life. Johnson again flexed his muscle and pushed out into the lead over Covert, Scott, Close and defending Series Champion, Mike Balzano from eighth.
On lap 21, Johnson continued to lead over Covert, as Bernheisel vaulted to third, over Scott, and Close, with Balzano now riding just outside of the top five. The next caution flew one revolution later for Todd Andrews as he was relegated pit side with overheating problems.
Johnson quickly gathered the field behind him for the last double-file restart of the event with Covert again sharing the front row over Bernheisel, Scott and Close. Johnson grabbed the lead once again and led to the next caution on lap 25 for Dan Stone, while fourth place running David Scott retired quickly spewing oil from his mount.
Johnson held the top spot on the restart over Covert, Bernheisel, Balzano and Steve Everhart, from fourteenth.
The action was tremendous throughout the field with three and four wide racing the norm for position. With 30 laps in the books Johnson was still in command of Covert, Bernheisel, Balzano, and Close, now again in a top five ride.
With ten laps to go, Johnson caught the tail of the field only for the second time during the event, as Covert was looking for a slightest edge over the leader. Every move Johnson made Covert matched in convincing style. On lap 47 Covert, while in lapped traffic, made his move darting in front of the leader using the lapped traffic to his full advantage. The huge crowd erupted with two laps remaining Covert was now leading. Johnson was not going to go quietly as he dogged the leader tenaciously trying to regain the top spot, and the duo raced each other clean and hard to the checkers.
At the checkers, Covert claimed the biggest win of his career over Johnson, Bernheisel, Balzano, and Ricky Elliott, from seventeenth. The next flight of five included 2004 MACS Champion Robbie Blair, from ninth; Close; current MACS points leader Gary Stuhler, from twenty-third; Everhart; and Alex Ferree, from thirteenth.
Event Recap:
Sue Stevenson Photography presents the AFCO Racing Products “Shock the Clock” MACS Time Trials
Impact Graphics $100 Gift Certificate to Fast Qualifier Jeremy Miller plus $200 in cash from Gary Deem Auto Sales and Jrene Trucking and Excavating.
Hesston Track Record is 16.166 June 23, 2005 Bart Hartman
Car # - Driver Name
24M - Jeremy Miller 16.750
19J - Davey Johnson 16.766
71D - Ron Davies 17.014
31 - Denny Chamberlain 17.074
231 - George Fultz 17.091
04 - Bob Close 17.095
3 - David Scott 17.097
E1 - Mike Balzano 17.121
43A - Jason Covert 17.125
W11 - Robbie Blair 17.178
91 - Rick Elliott 17.229
17 - Nick Dickson 17.266
4F - Alex Ferree 17.366
27Y - Jim Yoder 17.393
90 - Gary Stuhler 17.488
14P - Jack Pencil 17.554
12 - Devin Friese 17.581
15E - Steven Everhart 17.630
5C - Mike Blose 17.645
42 - Todd Andrews 17.666
119 - Jim Bernheisel 17.709
40 - Dutch Davies 17.718
15P - Matt Parks 17.734
21LX - Matt Lux 17.769
1DJ - D.J. Miller 17.851
11J - Keith Jackson 17.854
79M - Brad Malcuit 17.860
5W - Waylon Wagner 17.883
17E - Lance Elson 17.900
03D - Doug Ishler 17.914
21D - Dan Stone 17.963
5* - Derek Byler 18.089
10N - Shawn Bilger 18.111
39S - Tim Smith 18.112
66 - Justin Kann 18.141
19G - Rance Garlock 18.161
11S – David Sokolowski 18.496
11L - Jim Leidy 18.662
43DD - Tom Decker Sr. 20.891
14G - Robbie Garlock NT
43 - Thomas Decker, Jr. NT

W &W Racing Supplies – Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic presents the Hoosier Tire Heat #1: 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Jeremy Miller, Littlestown, PA; 3. Jim Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA; 4. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg, PA; 5. George Fultz, Beech Creek, PA; 6. Devin Friese, St. Thomas, PA; 7. Lance Elson, Wellsburg, WV; 8. Shawn Bilger, Three Springs, Pa.; 9. David Sokolowski, Shermansdale, Pa.; 10. D.J. Miller, Wooster, Ohio; 11. Thomas Decker, Jr., Tyrone, PA.

Dave Poske Performance Parts presents the Rocket Chassis Heat #2: 1. Robbie Blair, Titusville, Pa.; 2. Davey Johnson, Greensburg, PA; 3. Bob Close, Eldred, PA; 4. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg, PA; 5. Jim Yoder, Selinsgrove, PA; 6. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 7. Dutch Davies, Warren, PA; 8. Doug Ishler, Port Matilda, PA; 9. Jim Leidy, New Enterprise, Pa.; 10. Tim Smith, McVeytown, Pa..

Lias Tire Racing Division presents the American Racer Heat #3: 1. Ron Davies, Warren, PA; 2. Matt Parks, Three Springs, Pa.; 3. David Scott, Garland, PA; 4. Mike Blose, New Bethlehem, PA; 5. Dan Stone, Thompson, PA; 6. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 7. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 8. Tom Decker Sr., Tyrone, Pa.; 9. Brad Malcuit, Strausburg, Ohio; 10. Justin Kann, Hesston, Pa..

GRT Chassis presents the ATL Fuel Cells Heat #4: 1. Nick Dickson, Lewistown, Pa.; 2. Denny Chamberlain, Lost Creek, WV; 3. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 4. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 5. Todd Andrews, Eldred, PA; 6. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 7. Waylon Wagner, Lewistown, Pa.; 8. Derek Byler, Alexandria, Pa.; 9. Rance Garlock, Three Springs, Pa.; 10. Robbie Garlock, Three Springs, Pa.

WildSide Custom Racing Trailers presents Malcuit Racing Engines Dash King: 1. Denny Chamberlain, Lost Creek, WV; 2. Bob Close, Eldred, PA; 3. David Scott, Garland, PA; 4. Davey Johnson, Greensburg, PA; 5. Jeremy Miller, Littlestown, PA; 6. Ron Davies, Warren, PA; 7. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 8. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV.

Bazell Oil presents the Sunoco Race Fuels 1st B Main: 1. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 2. George Fultz, Beech Creek, PA; 3. Dan Stone, Thompson, PA; 4. Devin Friese, St. Thomas, PA; 5. Lance Elson, Wellsburg, WV; 6. Tom Decker Sr., Tyrone, Pa.; 7. D.J. Miller, Wooster, Ohio; 8. Shawn Bilger, Three Springs, Pa.; 9. Justin Kann, Hesston, Pa.; 10. Brad Malcuit, Strausburg, Ohio; 11. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 12. David Sokolowski, Shermansdale, Pa.; 13. Thomas Decker, Jr., DNS Tyrone, PA.

Goddard Performance presents the Warrior Chassis 2nd B Main: 1. Todd Andrews, Eldred, PA; 2. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 3. Jim Yoder, Selinsgrove, PA; 4. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 5. Derek Byler, Alexandria, Pa.; 6. Dutch Davies, Warren, PA; 7. Tim Smith, McVeytown, Pa.; 8. Rance Garlock, Three Springs, Pa.; 9. Jim Leidy, New Enterprise, Pa.; 10. Doug Ishler, Port Matilda, PA; 11. Waylon Wagner, DNS Lewistown, Pa; 12. Robbie Garlock, DNS Three Springs, Pa.
MACS Attack III presented by Jrene Inc., Trucking and Excavating:
1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Davey Johnson, Greensburg, PA; 3. Jim Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA; 4. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 5. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 6. Robbie Blair, Titusville, Pa.; 7. Bob Close, Eldred, PA; 8. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 9. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg, PA; 10. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg, PA; 11. Nick Dickson, Lewistown, Pa.; 12. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 13. Ron Davies, Warren, PA; 14. Devin Friese, St. Thomas, PA; 15. Matt Parks, Three Springs, Pa.; 16. Jim Yoder, Selinsgrove, PA; 17. Denny Chamberlain, Lost Creek, WV; 18. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 19. George Fultz, Beech Creek, PA; 20. Mike Blose, New Bethlehem, PA; 21. Dutch Davies, Warren, PA; 22. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 23. Dan Stone, Thompson, PA; 24. David Scott, Garland, PA; 25. Todd Andrews, Eldred, PA; 26. Jeremy Miller, Littlestown, PA.
MACS Attack III presented by Jrene Inc., Trucking and Excavating:
Fin. STR Car # Driver Name Payoff
1. 7. 43A Jason Covert $5,000.00
2. 4. 19J Davey Johnson $2,500.00
3. 12. 119 Jim Bernheisel $1,500.00
4. 8. E1 Mike Balzano $1,250.00
5. 17. 91 Rick Elliott $1,150.00
6. 9. W11 Robbie Blair $1,100.00
7. 2. 04 Bob Close $1,050.00
8. 23. 90 Gary Stuhler $1,000.00
9. 14. 15E Steve Everhart $900.00
10. 13. 4F Alex Ferree $800.00
11. 10. 17 Nick Dickson $700.00
12. 16. 14P Jack Pencil $600.00
13. 6. 71D Ron Davies $575.00
14. 25. 12 Devin Friese $550.00
15. 11. 15P Matt Parks $525.00
16. 22. 27Y Jim Yoder $520.00
17. 1. 31 Denny Chamberlain $515.00
18. 20. 11J Keith Jackson $510.00
19. 19. 231 George Fultz $505.00
20. 15. 5C Mike Blose $500.00
21. 24. 40 Dutch Davies $500.00
22. 26. 21LX Matt Lux $500.00
23. 21. 21D Dan Stone $500.00
24. 3. 3 David Scott $500.00
25. 18. 42 Todd Andrews $500.00
26. 5. 24M Jeremy Miller $700.00 includes fast time award
Car Count: 41 Cars
Time of the Event: 36:39
Caution Laps: 14, 22, 25, 26, 28
Lead Changes (5)
Lap Leaders: (4) 1-4 Close; 5-11 Johnson; 12 Miller 13-47 Johnson; 48-50 Covert
Red Flags: None
Chase Decals Hard Luck Driver Jeremy Miller - $100 gift certificate
MACS FACTS:
• Four heats were held for 41 drivers from five states including: Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
• Covert driver the Barry Klinedinst owned Rocket Monte Carlo, powered by a 410 Hershey Chevrolet mounted with Ohlins Shocks and shod with American Racer tires. His supporters include: Pre-Mach, Inc.; Red Wing Shoes; Hershey Racing Engines; Rocket Chassis; Autolite; Mazak; Kuppy’s Diner; Bam’s Auto Center; Rick Kaylor, Jr., Computer Consulting.
• The field included 4 of the current or past MACS Champions: Balzano (05); Blair (04); Pencil (02); and Chamberlain (97-98).
• The feature field contained 15 previous MACS A Main winners.
• The Series has had 58 different winners thus far in 169 events.
• 19 out of the top 25 in points were present.
• This was Covert’s first career MACS win. Career win leader board: 1.) Todd Andrews - 17; 2.) Chub Frank -15; 3.) Gary Stuhler -13; 4) Jackie Boggs-10; 5) Robbie Blair-9; 6.) Lynn Geisler-8, 7.) Davey Johnson -7; 8.) Mike Balzano, Bob Close, Bart Hartman and Jeremy Miller - 5
• 2006 Winner’s thus far: Jeremy Miller, Gary Stuhler, and Jason Covert
• The average car count per event is 47.6
• 95 different drivers have competed in the first three MACS events this season
Thanks for your continued support and cooperation.
Andy Geesey President 724.397.9126
Matt Geesey Vice President 724.349.4282
Jeff Geesey Secretary/Treasurer 724.465.2222
FAX 724.397.9128
Email macs1@verizon.net
Website http://www.macsracing.com