Shaver Victorious in Opening Stanza of MACS’ Big Kahuna VI at “The Rock”

Shaver Victorious in Opening Stanza of MACS’ Big Kahuna VI at “The Rock”

posted by Admin on 02/03/08

Steve Shaver, Vienna, WV, claimed his career first Mid-Atlantic Championship Series victory in the opening stanza of the Big Kahuna VI at Rick and Ernie Jones’, “The Rock” Allegany County Speedway, Cumberland MD.

Despite bone chilling cold temperatures dipping below the freezing mark, Jones’ Oval Track Promotions stayed the course as the track prep crew provided one of the best surfaces seen at the track this season. This effort resulted in an exciting event to warm the brave fans who championed the raw conditions.

Jeremy Miller, the hottest driver in the east, and defending MACS Series Champion, Mike Balzano paced the 26-car field with eventual winner, Shaver slotted in sixth on the grid. After one false start, Miller and Balzano fired the field at the cone as they flew into turn one. Miller was on the inside, Balzano outside in an all out brawl for the lead. Miller came off of turn two on top with Balzano fighting fiercely, not only the win, but the Championship as well. Balzano, a mere 40 points behind current MACS points leader Jason Covert, needed to gain every available point, with every finishing position being worth 5 more points in his quest.

Miller led lap one over Balzano, Covert, Shaver, and Steve Casebolt. As the field started lap two, Tim Dohm, who had been riding in eighth, slammed hard into the outside retaining wall after his left front brake froze sending him careening into the wall.

The top five remained the same for the double file restart with Miller and Balzano both pacing the field once again. As the field catapulted into turn one, a mid-pack skirmish started a chain reaction incident that filtered into the later third of the pack collecting seven cars in turn two. Caught in the tangle were Greg Fetters; Doug Burkholder; Gary Stuhler; 2005 WRISCO Aluminum ROY titlist Devin Friese; John Mason; and David Bloss. Burkholder was the only driver unable to continue though drove off under his own power.

For the final time, Miller and Balzano paced the field for a double file restart with Covert lurking in third while Shaver and Casebolt completed the top five. Once again Miller darted into the lead with Covert snaring second from Balzano as Casebolt relegated Shaver to fifth.

Covert was hot after Miller, but Miller was completely unfazed by the effort. While every position was being contended throughout the pack, Shaver clawed his way back to fourth by lap 4.

In a dramatic twist, Miller while leading lap 9 had an upper control arm break sending him slamming into the outside retaining wall ending his dazzling performance. Covert, in second, now inherited the lead as he tried to now gain points on his closest title contender Balzano who was now dead on his heels. Shaver held down third over Casebolt and Donnie Moran, who was now riding into the top five after starting ninth.

Covert brought the field back to life with Balzano strongly pressuring him for the lead and Championship. The battle waged fiercely as Covert and Balzano were hooked up in an awesome race. Covert lead until lap 20, when he drifted about 2inches high off his line which was all the opening Balzano needed. Balzano blasted under Covert, but Covert had lost enough momentum that he was shuffled back to fifth as Shaver, Moran and Casebolt all blew by.

With Balzano now in the lead, he had to fend off the challenges of his home state rival Shaver; Moran; Casebolt; and Covert. Shaver looked high and low sizing his options as he tried to thwart Balzano’s effort. The seasoned veteran Balzano was undaunted by Shaver’s persistent challenges as lap after lap he matched Shaver’s every move stopping his effort.

Finally, on lap 29, Shaver found the soft-spot he was looking for in Balzano’s strategy as he wrestled the lead away; but as with what happened to Covert ten laps earlier, Balzano was freight trained back to fourth as Moran and Casebolt followed suit.

With Shaver now in command he was being heavily pursued by Moran, Casebolt, Balzano and Covert. Casebolt blew into second on lap 31 pushing Moran to third.

Shaver successful held Casebolt at bay for the reaming twelve circuits, though the Richmond, Indiana driver gave it his best effort it fell but just fell short. Finishing out the balance of the top five were Balzano, who gained 10 points in his fight for the championship; over Donnie Moran, and Covert who clings to a 30 point margin in his quest for his first MACS crown. The next tier of five included Rod Conley, from 12th; Rick Aukland, Andy Anderson, from 11th; Nick Dickson, and Rick Elliott, from 17th.

Event Recap:
Sue Stevenson Photography presents the AFCO Racing Products “Shock the Clock” MACS Time Trials
Impact Graphics provided a $100 Gift Certificate to Fast Qualifier Gary Stuhler.

Track Record: 18.097 Jackie Boggs
Car # - Driver Name
90 - Gary Stuhler 19.836
30 - Steve Shaver 19.954
91 - Rick Elliott 20.012
43A - Jason Covert 20.029
92 - Jeff Rine 20.067
24M - Jeremy Miller 20.078
T8 - Mark Banal 20.090
19 - Steve Casebolt 20.095
6T - Tim Dohm 20.099
79A - Rick Aukland 20.145
E1 - Mike Balzano 20.170
99M - Donnie Moran 20.215
17 - Nick Dickson 20.312
84 - Rodney Sweitzer 20.546
25A - Andy Anderson 20.583
12 - Devin Friese 20.630
17J - Wayne Johnson 20.635
RG3 - Robert Salathe 20.665
3B - David Bloss 20.712
5E - Chuck Clise 20.717
11J - Keith Jackson 20.736
88D - D.J. Troutman 20.743
7T - Dave Troutman 20.752
C4 - Freddie Carpenter 20.758
39F - Greg Fetters 20.765
14P - Jack Pencil 20.766
B2 - Brian Booze 20.886
119 - Jim Bernheisel 20.909
71R - Rod Conley 20.940
06 - Mike Lupfer 20.952
67D - Doug Burkholder 21.044
00H - Chuck Harper 21.084
40T - Travis Dillman 21.091
25D - Len Dobrosielski 21.153
5F - Jerry Foster 21.155
14G - Robbie Garlock 21.164
37K - J.R. Kiefer 21.251
72M - John Mason 21.317
07C - Scott Cross 21.328
1 - Chris Harr 21.455
25P - Rodney Phillips 21.467
55M - Shawn McGarvey 21.496
15X - Shane Beegle 21.520
94D - Darrell Dick 21.655
22D - Darras Deneene 21.757
31GS - Steve Gibney 21.824
88Z - Dan Zechman 22.008
82G - Ted Gallagher 22.018
1H - Chuck Howdonhut 22.074
78 - Danny Kienetz 22.336
H1 - Jarred Miley 99.990
31G - Bob Gordon 99.992
“Big Kahuna VI” 44-laps Night #1
Fin. STR Car # Driver Name Payoff
1. 6. 30 Steve Shaver $5,000.00
2. 4. 19 Steve Casebolt $3,000.00
3. 2. E1 Mike Balzano $2,000.00
4. 9. 99M Donnie Moran $1,500.00
5. 3. 43A Jason Covert $1,250.00
6. 12 71R Rod Conley $1,100.00
7. 5. 79A Rick Aukland $1,050.00
8. 11. 25A Andy Anderson $1,000.00
9. 10. 17 Nick Dickson $900.00
10. 17. 91 Rick Elliott $850.00
11. 19. 11J Keith Jackson $800.00
12. 15. 39F Greg Fetters $750.00
13. 20. 5E Chuck Clise $700.00
14. 13. 14P Jack Pencil $650.00
15. 14. 12 Devin Friese $600.00
16. 18. 119 Jim Bernheisel $575.00
17. 26. 72M John Mason $550.00
18. 25. 3B David Bloss $525.00
19. 24. 00H Chuck Harper $500.00
20. 8. T8 Mark Banal $500.00
21. 22. 1 Chris Harr $500.00
22. 23. 90 Gary Stuhler $500.00
23. 1. 24M Jeremy Miller $500.00
24. 16. 7T Dave Troutman $500.00
25. 21. 67D Doug Burkholder $500.00
26. 7. 6T Tim Dohm $500.00

Big Kahuna VI A-Main 44-laps 1. Steve Shaver, Parkersburg, WV; 2. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 3. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 4. Donnie Moran, Dresden, OH; 5. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 6. Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, OH; 7. Rick Aukland, Zanesville, OH; 8. Andy Anderson, Martinsburg, W. Va.; 9. Nick Dickson, Lewistown, Pa.; 10. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 11. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 12. Greg Fetters, Everett, PA; 13. Chuck Clise, Frostburg, MD; 14. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 15. Devin Friese, St. Thomas, PA; 16. Jim Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA; 17. John Mason, Millersburg, OH; 18. David Bloss, Mt. Salvage, MD; 19. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 20. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville, OH; 21. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 22. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 23. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, PA; 24. Dave Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 25. Doug Burkholder, Chambersburg, PA; 26. Tim Dohm, Charleston, WV.

Malcuit Race Engines Dash King presented by Wildside Custom Racing Trailers 1. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, PA; 2. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 3. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 4. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 5. Rick Aukland, Zanesville, OH; 6. Steve Shaver, Parkersburg, WV; 7. Tim Dohm, Charleston, WV; 8. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville, OH.

“Bazell Race Fuels presents the Sunoco Race Fuels 1st B Main: 1. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 2. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 3. Doug Burkholder, Chambersburg, PA; 4. David Bloss, Mt. Salvage, MD; 5. Travis Dillman, Loysville, PA; 6. Brian Booze, Marion, Pa.; 7. Jerry Foster, Pasadena, Md.; 8. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 9. Shane Beegle, Everett, PA; 10. Jarred Miley, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 11. Scott Cross, Centerville, MD; 12. Jeff Rine, Danville, PA; 13. J.R. Kiefer, Bedford, Pa.; 14. Darras Deneene, Bedford, Pa.; 15. Dan Zechman, Littlestown, Pa.; 16. Wayne Johnson, Hancock, MD; 17. Rodney Phillips, Punxsutawney, PA; 18. Chuck Howdonhut, Oakland, Md..

“Warrior Race Cars presents the Goddard Performance, 2nd B Main: 1. Jim Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA; 2. Chuck Clise, Frostburg, MD; 3. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 4. John Mason, Millersburg, OH; 5. Mike Lupfer, Shermans Dale, PA; 6. D.J. Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 7. Rodney Sweitzer, Stoystown, PA; 8. Ted Gallagher, Flinton, Pa.; 9. Robert Salathe, Bedford, PA; 10. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 11. Danny Kienetz, Hyde, Pa.; 12. Shawn McGarvey, Coalport, Pa.; 13. Darrell Dick, Bedford, Pa.; 14. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp., PA; 15. Robbie Garlock, Three Springs, Pa.; 16. Steve Gibney, Hagerstown, Md.; 17. Freddie Carpenter, Parkersburg, W. Va.; 18. Bob Gordon, Keyser, WV.

Car Count: 52
Time of the Event: 43:01
Final 50 lap segment Caution Laps: Complete, 1(2), 9 (3)
Lead Changes: 4
Lap Leaders: 1-9 Miller; 10-19 Covert; 20-28 Balzano; 29-44 Shaver
Red Flags: None
Chase Decals Hard Luck Driver Jeremy Miller - $100 gift certificate

W &W Racing Supplies – Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic presents the Hoosier Tire Heat #1: 1. Tim Dohm, Charleston, WV; 2. Nick Dickson, Lewistown, Pa.; 3. Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, OH; 4. Greg Fetters, Everett, PA; 5. Wayne Johnson, Hancock, MD; 6. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 7. Travis Dillman, Loysville, PA; 8. J.R. Kiefer, Bedford, Pa.; 9. Darras Deneene, Bedford, Pa.; 10. Jeff Rine, Danville, PA; 11. Rodney Phillips, Punxsutawney, PA; 12. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 13. Chuck Howdonhut, Oakland, Md..

Dave Poske Performance Parts presents the Rocket Chassis Heat #2: 1. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, PA; 2. Rick Aukland, Zanesville, OH; 3. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 4. Steve Shaver, Parkersburg, WV; 5. Robert Salathe, Bedford, PA; 6. John Mason, Millersburg, OH; 7. Rodney Sweitzer, Stoystown, PA; 8. Mike Lupfer, Shermansdale, PA; 9. Len Dobrosielski, Kennedy Twp., PA; 10. Shawn McGarvey, Coalport, Pa.; 11. D.J. Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 12. Danny Kienetz, Hyde, Pa.; 13. Steve Gibney, Hagerstown, Md..

Lias Tire Racing Division presents the American Racer Heat #3: 1. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 2. Andy Anderson, Martinsburg, W. Va.; 3. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville, OH; 4. Dave Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 5. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 6. David Bloss, Mt. Salvage, MD; 7. Brian Booze, Marion, Pa.; 8. Jerry Foster, Pasadena, Md.; 9. Doug Burkholder, Chambersburg, PA; 10. Shane Beegle, Everett, PA; 11. Scott Cross, Centerville, MD; 12. Jarred Miley, Pittsburgh, Pa.; 13. Dan Zechman, Littlestown, Pa..

GRT Chassis presents the ATL Fuel Cells Heat #4: 1. Donnie Moran, Dresden, OH; 2. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 3. Devin Friese, St. Thomas, PA; 4. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 5. Chuck Clise, Frostburg, MD; 6. Jim Bernheisel, Lebanon, PA; 7. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 8. Freddie Carpenter, Parkersburg, W. Va.; 9. Ted Gallagher, Flinton, Pa.; 10. Robbie Garlock, Three Springs, Pa.; 11. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 12. Darrell Dick, Bedford, Pa.; 13. Bob Gordon, Keyser, WV.

2006 Championship Points
Car # Driver Name
1. 43A Jason Covert York Haven, PA 4070
2. E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg, WV 4040
3. 119 Jim Bernheisel Lebanon, PA 3975
4. 24M Jeremy Miller Gettysburg, PA 3760
5. 14P Jack Pencil Bedford, PA 3429
6. 12 Devin Friese St. Thomas, PA 3365
7. 17 Nick Dickson ® Lewistown, PA 3298
8. 71R Rod Conley Wheelersburg, OH 2945
9. 31 Denny Chamberlain Lost Creek, WV 2645
10. 30 Steve Shaver Parkersburg, WV 2190
11. W11 Robbie Blair Titusville, PA 2065
12. 90 Gary Stuhler Greencastle, PA 1809
13. 119J Davey Johnson Latrobe, PA 1750
14. 11J Keith Jackson Odenton, MD 1162
15. 17E Lance Elson ® Wellsburg, WV 1591
16. 04 Bob Close Eldred, PA 1140
17. 91 Rick Elliott Seaford, DE 1263
18. 19 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 1235
19. 00H Chuck Harper Beverly, WV 1203
20. 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH 1155
21. 79A Rick Aukland Zanesville, OH 1090
22. M7 Brad Malcuit ® Strausburg, OH 1083
23. 3 David Scott Garland, PA 1075
24. 4F Alex Ferree Saxonburg, PA 1073
25. 12D Doug Drown Wooster, OH 1035

® WRISCO Aluminum MACS ROY

MACS FACTS:
• 52 drivers from six states including: Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
• Also in the field were 3 of the current or past MACS Champions: Balzano (‘05); Harper (‘03); and Pencil (‘02)
• Shaver drivers the Shaver Motorsports/Cosgrove Racing Team GTO Rocket, powered by a 415 Malcuit Chevrolet mounted with Penske Racing Shocks and shod with Hoosier tires. His supporters include: Ludicrous Energy Drink, WACO Oil and Gas, Drywalls Systems Inc., United Bank, Lakeview Estates, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hyperco, BERT Transmissions, Shoenfeld Headers, WRISCO Aluminum, Hoosier Tire, Panther Motorsports Design
• The feature field contained 12 previous MACS A Main winners.
• The Series has had 61 different winners thus far in 181 events.
• 13 out of the top 25 in points were present.
• Career win leader board: 1.) Todd Andrews - 17; 2.) Chub Frank -15; 3.) Gary Stuhler -13; 4) Jackie Boggs, Robbie Blair and Jeremy Miller -10; 6.) Lynn Geisler -8; 7.) Davey Johnson -7; 8.) Mike Balzano – 6; 9.) Bob Close and Bart Hartman - 5
• 2006 Winner’s thus far: Jeremy Miller (6), Mike Balzano, Robbie Blair; Scott Bloomquist, Jason Covert, Billy Drake, Scott Haus, Chad Hina, Steve Shaver and Gary Stuhler. Also preliminary twin 25 or 50 winners include Andy Anderson, Miller, Bo Feathers and Rick Elliott
• The average car count per event is 50
• 347 different drivers have competed in the first thirteen MACS events this season

® WRISCO Aluminum MACS ROY Contenders
17 Nick Dickson ® 3298
17E Lance Elson ® 1591
79M Brad Malcuit ® 1083
1DJ D.J. Miller ® 986

AFCO “Shock the Clock” Time Trail Points presented Sue Stevenson Photography
Gary Stuhler - 25
Steve Shaver – 20
Rick Elliott – 18
Jason Covert – 16
Jeff Rine – 14
Jeremy Miller – 12
Mark Banal – 10
Steve Casebolt – 8
Tim Dohm - 6
Rick Aukland - 4

Malcuit Race Engines Dash King Points presented by Wildside Custom Racing Trailers
Jeremy Miller - 25
Mike Balzano – 20
Jason Covert – 18
Steve Casebolt – 16
Rick Aukland – 14
Steve Shaver – 12
Tim Dohm – 10
Mark Banal – 8

ASI Racewear Event Hard Charger Points
John Mason - 9 Chuck Clise – 8 Keith Jackson – 8 Rick Elliott – 7 David Bloss – 7
Rod Conley – 6 Steve Shaver – 5 Donnie Moran – 5 Chuck Harper – 5 Andy Anderson – 3 Greg Fetters – 3 Steve Casebolt – 2 Jim Bernheisel – 2 Nick Dickson -1 Devin Friese – 1 Chris Harr – 1 Gary Stuhler – 1

Thanks for your continued support and cooperation.

Andy Geesey President 724.397.9126 FAX: 724.397.9128
Matt Geesey Vice President 724.349.4282 website: www.macsracing.com
Jeff Geesey Sec./Treasurer 724.465.2222 email: macs1@verizon.net