Jason Covert Takes Night One of ‘Big Kahuna’ at ‘The Rock’

Jason Covert Takes Night One of ‘Big Kahuna’ at ‘The Rock’

posted by Admin on 02/03/08

Cumberland, MD (October 5, 2007) It was all systems a go for the current Mid-Atlantic Championship Series points leader and 2006 champion Jason Covert in the first night of the ‘Big Kahuna VII’ at Rick and Ernie Jones’ ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway as he led 43 of the 44 A-Main laps to pick up his fourth series win of the season.

Covert and Rod Conley led the stout 26-car field to the green with Mike Balzano getting underneath the front row going into the first corner. The trio came out of the corner three wide as Conley gained an edge going into turns three and four. Balzano fell back into the third slot as Rod and Jason battled side-by-side for the lead. Covert snuck past Conley for the lead as the field raced continued into turns one and two.

The first of three cautions was displayed on lap six as Bedford Speedway hot shoe Jeff Rine lost the handle in turn two. The second caution was displayed a lap later for former ‘Big Kahuna’ champion Mark Banal who also spun in turn two. The ensuing ‘Delaware’ style restart saw Covert continue to lead followed by Steve Casebolt who used the restart to get by Balzano as Rod was shuffled back to fourth. Jason continued to lead the pack as Lernerville Speedway regular’s Gregg Satterlee and Alex Ferree battled back and forth for the eighth and ninth spots. The final caution of the event fell when Andy Anderson had problems with his mount on the 22nd lap.

Covert again brought the field to the green with Casebolt, Balzano, Conley, and 2007 Allegany County Speedway champion and MACS Series regular Jack Pencil in fifth. Jason seemed to have found the right combination on this night as he would stretch his lead out to about 15 to 20 car lengths and keep it there not gaining anymore nor letting anyone pick up any time on him. However, Grayson, Kentucky’s Jackie Boggs was the one on the move picking up positions on almost every lap. Boggs started the event in the 25th slot and methodically finessed his way through the field into the top ten. But neither Boggs or anyone else had anything for the Barry Klinedinst Motorsports #43A as Covert held on to for the win followed by Casebolt, Balzano, Conley, and Pencil. Scott Haus led the second tier of drivers in sixth followed by Alex Ferree from 13th, Boggs, Ricky Elliott, and fast qualifier Jim Yoder from 18th.

Event Recap:
MACS Late Models at ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway, October 5, 2007
Event title: Night One ‘Big Kahuna’
Finish / Start / Car # / Driver Name / Payoff
1. (1) #43A – Jason Covert - $5,000.00
2. (5) #19 – Steve Casebolt - $3,000.00
3. (3) #E1 – Mike Balzano - $2,000.00
4. (2) #71R – Rod Conley - $1,500.00
5. (7) #14P – Jack Pencil - $1,250.00
6. (4) #33 – Scott Haus - $1,150.00
7. (8) #4F – Alex Ferree - $1,050.00
8. (25) #4B – Jackie Boggs - $1,000.00
9. (9) #45 – Ricky Elliott - $950.00
10. (18) #27Y – Jim Yoder - $850.00
11. (16) #22 – Gregg Satterlee - $750.00
12. (6) #1 – Chris Harr - $650.00
13. (17) #W11 – Robbie Blair - $575.00
14. (15) #H1 – Jared Miley - $550.00
15. (21) #6T – Tim Dohm - $525.00
16. (19) #2J – Mike Johnson - $520.00
17. (23) #21 – Matt Lux - $515.00
18. (22) #12D – Doug Drown - $510.00
19. (20) #RG3 – Greg Fetters - $505.00
20. (12) #T8 – Mark Banal - $500.00
21. (11) #88A – Andy Anderson - $500.00
22. (14) #92 – Jeff Rine - $500.00
23. (8) #7J – D.J. Troutman - $500.00
24. (10) #6 – Jamie Lathrum - $500.00
25. (26) #90 – Gary Stuhler - $500.00
26. (24) #7T – Dave Troutman - $500.00

Car Count: 51
Time of the Event: 26 Minutes, 3 seconds
Caution Laps: 7, 8, 22
Lead Changes: Two
Lap Leaders: Conley 1, Covert 2 - 44
Red Flags: None
Chase Decals Hard Luck Driver: #7J – D.J. Troutman $100 Chase Decals Gift Certificate

Sue Stevenson Photography presents the AlturnaMats ® “Shock the Clock” MACS
Time Trials:

Car # / Driver Name / Time
27Y - Jim Yoder 20.393
24M - Jeremy Miller 20.415
33 - Scott Haus 20.462
19 - Steve Casebolt 20.599
71R - Rod Conley 20.615
14P - Jack Pencil 20.645
1 - Chris Harr 20.650
30 - Steve Shaver 20.669
E1 - Mike Balzano 20.690
7J - D.J. Troutman 20.727
43A - Jason Covert 20.752
12DD - Doug Dodd 20.757
45 - Rick Elliott 20.762
6 - Jamie Lathroum 20.795
H1 - Jared Miley 20.804
04 - Bob Close 20.847
92 - Jeff Rine 20.857
6T - Tim Dohm 20.887
RG3F - Greg Fetters 20.887
88A - Andy Anderson 20.895
67 - Randy Burkholder 20.926
5K - Kirk Ryan Jr 20.939
11J - Keith Jackson 20.975
8AS - Alan Sagi 20.985
99B - Boom Briggs 20.994
T8 - Mark Banal 21.014
0D - Ron Delano 21.018
7T - Dave Troutman 21.020
W11 - Robbie Blair 21.022
2J - Mike Johnson 21.040
12 - Devin Friese 21.065
21 - Matt Lux 21.070
12D - Doug Drown 21.074
3 - David Scott 21.140
17J - Wayne Johnson 21.160
22 - Gregg Satterlee 21.191
4B - Jackie Boggs 21.273
90 - Gary Stuhler 21.284
00H - Chuck Harper 21.298
4F - Alex Ferree 21.310
20 - Shaun Claar 21.407
31G - Bob Gordon 21.552
49Z - Eric Zembower 21.598
25H - Bob Hershman 21.635
8H - Shawn McGarvey 21.718
5 - Chuck Clise 21.727
07C - Scott Cross 21.922
15X - Shane Beegle 22.018
66 - Ray Davis Jr. 22.113
82G - Ted Gallaher 22.835
11R - Richard Jarvis NT

Jim Yoder was awarded a $200 Gift Certificate from Alturnamats® plus a $100 Gift Certificate from Impact Graphics for being Fast Qualifier.
’The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway Track Record is 18.991 and held by Jackie Boggs.

WRISCO Aluminum presents AlturnaMats ® Dash King: 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, OH; 3. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 4. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 5. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 6. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 7. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 8. D.J. Troutman, Hyndman, PA.

Bazell Oil presents the Sunoco Race Fuels 1st B Main : 1. Robbie Blair, Titusville, Pa.; 2. Jim Yoder, Selinsgrove, PA; 3. Greg Fetters, Everett, PA; 4. Jackie Boggs, Grayson, KY; 5. Doug Drown, Wooster, OH; 6. Randy Burkholder, Chambersburg, Pa.; 7. Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, Pa.; 8. Ron Delano, Stoystown, PA; 9. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 10. Eric Zembower, Bedford, PA; 11. Shaun Claar, Imler, Pa.; 12. Scott Cross, Centerville, MD; 13. Ray Davis Jr., Millsboro, Del.; 14. Richard Jarvis, Ocean City, Md.; 15. Shawn McGarvey, Coalport, Pa.; 16. Devin Friese, Chambersburg, PA; 17. Wayne Johnson, Hancock, MD; 18. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md..

Goddard Performance presents the Warrior Chassis 2nd B Main : 1. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 2. Mike Johnson, Imperial, PA; 3. Tim Dohm, Cross Lanes, WV; 4. David Scott, Garland, PA; 5. Bob Close, Eldred, PA; 6. Alan Sagi, Hagerstown, MD; 7. Bob Hershman, Swanton, Md.; 8. Doug Dodd, Cambridge, OH; 9. Chuck Clise, Frostburg, MD; 10. Bob Gordon, Keyser, WV; 11. Ted Gallaher, Flinton, Pa.; 12. Kirk Ryan Jr, Lewisberry, Pa.; 13. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 14. Dave Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 15. Steve Shaver, Parkersburg, WV; 16. Shane Beegle, Everett, PA; 17. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, PA.

Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic presents the Hoosier Tire Heat #1: 1. Rick Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 2. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV; 3. Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, OH; 4. Jeff Rine, Danville, PA; 5. Robbie Blair, Titusville, Pa.; 6. Jim Yoder, Selinsgrove, PA; 7. Doug Drown, Wooster, OH; 8. Randy Burkholder, Chambersburg, Pa.; 9. Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, Pa.; 10. Jackie Boggs, Grayson, KY; 11. Shaun Claar, Imler, Pa.; 12. Ray Davis Jr., Millsboro, Del.; 13. Shawn McGarvey, Coalport, Pa..

Dave Poske Performance Parts presents the Rocket Chassis Heat #2: 1. D.J. Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 2. Jamie Lathroum, Mechanicsville, Md.; 3. Mark Banal, St. Clairsville, OH; 4. Jack Pencil, Bedford, PA; 5. Mike Johnson, Imperial, PA; 6. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle, PA; 7. Tim Dohm, Cross Lanes, WV; 8. Bob Gordon, Keyser, WV; 9. Chuck Clise, Frostburg, MD; 10. Kirk Ryan Jr, Lewisberry, Pa.; 11. Ted Gallaher, Flinton, Pa.; 12. David Scott, Garland, PA; 13. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, PA.

Lias Tire Racing Division presents the American Racer Heat #3: 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 3. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 4. Jared Miley, South Park, Pa.; 5. Greg Fetters, Everett, PA; 6. Wayne Johnson, Hancock, MD; 7. Ron Delano, Stoystown, PA; 8. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 9. Devin Friese, Chambersburg, PA; 10. Eric Zembower, Bedford, PA; 11. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 12. Richard Jarvis, Ocean City, Md.; 13. Scott Cross, Centerville, MD.

GRT Chassis presents the ATL Fuel Cells Heat #4: 1. Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN; 2. Andy Anderson, Martinsburg, W. Va.; 3. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg, PA; 4. Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa.; 5. Doug Dodd, Cambridge, OH; 6. Bob Hershman, Swanton, Md.; 7. Bob Close, Eldred, PA; 8. Dave Troutman, Hyndman, PA; 9. Alan Sagi, Hagerstown, MD; 10. Steve Shaver, Parkersburg, WV; 11. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 12. Shane Beegle, Everett, PA.
MACS FACTS: Five heats were held for 51 drivers from seven states including: Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Covert drives the Barry Klinedinst owned Pre-Mach, Inc. / Red Wing Shoes / Hershey’s Racing Engines / Baker Carburetion / Bam’s Auto Center / Kuppy’s Diner / Rocket Chassis Monte Carlo and is mounted on American Racer Tires.

The field included five current or past MACS Champions: Covert (‘06); Balzano (’05), Blair (’04), Harper (’03), Pencil (’02).

The feature field contained 12 previous MACS A Main winners.

The Series has had 65 different winners thus far in 201 events.

The win was Shaver’s first win of 2007 and fourth of his career. Series career win leader board: 1.) Todd Andrews - 17; 2.) Chub Frank -16; 3.) Gary Stuhler -13; 4) Jeremy Miller – 11; 5) Jackie Boggs - 11; 5) Rob Blair – 10; 6.) Lynn Geisler - 8, 7.) Davey Johnson - 7; 9.) Mike Balzano – 6; 10) Bob Close, Bart Hartman and Scott Haus –5

2007 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series Event Winners:
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
August 18 – Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway ( Jamaica, VA ) – Jason Covert
August 31 – Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway ( Sarver , PA ) – Chub Frank
September 1 - Portsmouth Raceway Park ( Portsmouth , OH ) – Doug Drown
September 2 – Portsmouth Raceway Park ( Portsmouth, OH ) – Jason Covert
September 21 – Hilltop Speedway ( Millersburg, OH ) – David Scott
September 22 – Skyline Speedway ( Stewart, OH ) – Steve Shaver
October 5 – ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway ( Cumberland, MD ) – Jason Covert

2007 Winners thus far: Jason Covert (4), Rob Blair (1).Jackie Boggs (1), Doug Drown (1), Bo Feathers (1), Chub Frank (1), Josh McGuire (1), David Scott (1) and Steve Shaver (1).

The average car count per event is: 45

12 out of the top 25 in points standings were present.

2007 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series Point Standings:
1. #43A – Jason Covert 3,310 pts.
2 #71R – Rod Conley 3,160 pts.
3. #E1 – Mike Balzano 3,090 pts.
4. #12D – Doug Drown 2,960 pts.
5. #21 – Matt Lux 2,900 pts.
6. #W11 – Rob Blair 2,680 pts.
7. #14P – Jack Pencil 2,195 pts.
8. #5 – Chuck Clise 2,143 pts.
9. #119 – Jim Bernheisel 1,970 pts.
10. #21D – Dan Stone 1,585 pts.

AlturnaMats® “Shock the Clock” Time Trail Points presented Sue Stevenson Photography
#27Y – Jim Yoder - 25
#24M – Jeremy Miller - 20
#33 – Scott Haus - 18
#19 – Steve Casebolt - 16
#71R – Rod Conley - 14
#14P – Jack Pencil - 12
#1 – Chris Harr - 10
#30 – Steve Shaver - 8
#E1 – Mike Balzano – 6
#7J – D.J. Troutman - 4

AlturnaMats® Dash King presented WRISCO Aluminum
#43A – Jason Covert - 25
#71R- Rod Conley - 20
#E1 – Mike Balzano - 18
#33 – Scott Haus - 16
#19 – Steve Casebolt - 14
#1 – Chris Harr - 12
#14P – Jack Pencil - 10
#7J – D.J. Troutman - 8

WRISCO Aluminum Event Hard Charger Points
#4B – Jackie Boggs – 17
#27Y – Jim Yoder - 8
#4F – Alex Ferree – 6
#6T – Tim Dohm - 6
#21 – Matt Lux – 6
#22 – Gregg Satterlee – 5
#W11 – Robbie Blair - 4
#12D – Doug Drown – 4
#19 – Steve Casebolt - 3
#2J – Mike Johnson - 3
#14P – Jack Pencil – 2
#H1 – Jared Miley – 1
#RG3 – Greg Fetters – 1
#90 – Gary Stuhler - 1

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) 465-4282
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.jnjmotorsports.com, www.macsracing.com