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Shane Clanton Bags Career First MACS Win at ‘The Rock’! |
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posted by Admin on 04/13/08 |
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Cumberland, MD (April 12, 2008) It’s not very often a racer will win their first race they have entered with a series but that is exactly what Locust Grove, GA’s Shane Clanton did as he captured the $5,000 top prize at Rick and Ernie Jones, Oval Tack Promotions at “The Rock” Allegany County Speedway, during the MACS sanctioned Western Maryland Open 50”. Clanton preserved the victory by holding off a hard charging Billy Decker as well as late race surges from Tim Fuller, Mike Balzano, and Chub Frank.
Clanton and Decker brought the star-studded 24 car field to green with Clanton seizing the lead. Shane built a commanding margin despite two early cautions. The first appeared on lap four for the #F1 of 2008 AlturnaMATS® MACS Rookie of the Year contender, Coleby Frye while the second four quick circuits later for Doug Horton.
Shane continued to lead the event as the 2005 MACS champion Mike Balzano battled with the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship winner Chub Frank for third. ‘ChubZilla’ was able to slip under ‘Blazo’ on lap 13 as Clanton began to catch the tail of the field for the first time.
Clanton, also known as ‘Coconut’, was working his way through traffic, with Decker closing the gap. Billy was poised for the pass but his effort was thwarted because the fourth caution flew on lap 21 for series regular Chuck Clise.
Restarts were Shane’s forte as he pulled away from the field during all previous restarts; however, this time Billy stayed glued to his rear deck-lid. The pair stretched their margin over the field as they once again caught lapped traffic. This time Decker used patience and poise to make his move on the race leader. Shane got caught up with a lapped car coming out of turn four which opened the door for Billy. Decker dove hard to the bottom taking the lead on lap 37. Now Decker had the lead only to have his pace slowed by lapped traffic. On the next circuit Decker’s misfortune turned into Clanton’s fortune as he passed Decker back for the top spot.
Decker stayed with Clanton as the action heated up behind the lead duo. Balzano fought back past Frank for third as Chub began slowing bringing out fifth and final caution for a right rear flat on lap 42.
Shane regained his restart ‘magic’ on the final restart and kept Decker at bay for the final eight revolutions collecting his first career MACS victory and the $5,000 top prize. Clanton was followed by Decker; Tim Fuller, who got by Balzano during the final restart to finish third; Balzano; and Jeremy Miller in fifth. The next tier of drivers was led by Gary Stuhler in sixth; Shannon Babb; two-time and defending MACS Champion Jason Covert; Rick Eckert; and Rick Elliott rounded out the top ten.
Event Recap:
MACS Late Models at ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway, April 12, 2008
Event title: ‘Western Maryland Open 50’
Finish / Start / Car # / Driver Name / Payoff
1. (2) #25C – Shane Clanton - $5,000.00
2. (1) #91 – Billy Decker - $3,000.00
3. (5) #19F – Tim Fuller - $2,000.00
4. (4) #E1 – Mike Balzano - $1,500.00
5. (3) #24M – Jeremy Miller - $1,250.00
6. (7) #90 – Gary Stuhler - $1,110.00
7. (12) #18B – Shannon Babb - $1,050.00
8. (9) #43A – Jason Covert - $1,000.00
9. (14) #24 – Rick Eckert - $850.00
10. (15) #45 – Ricky Elliott - $700.00
11. (18) #46 – Doug Horton - $600.00
12. (6) #1* - Chub Frank - $575.00
13. (13) 14P – Jack Pencil - $550.00
14. (11) #5W – Waylon Wagner- $525.00
15. (23) #21 – Matt Lux - $500.00
16. (24) #5 – Chuck Clise - $475.00
17. (8) #39 – Greg Fetters ® - $450.00
18. (17) #00H – Chuck Harper - $425.00
19. (19) #17B – Keith Barbara - $400.00
20. (20) #4 – Alex Ferree - $400.00
21. (16) #77 – Randy Burkholder - $400.00
22. (21) #W1 – Chris Harr - $400.00
23. (10) #79 – Mike Altobelli®- $400.00
24. (22) #F1 – Coleby Frye® - $400.00
Car Count: 40
Time of the Event: 38 min, 14 seconds
Caution Laps: 4, 8 (2), 21, 42
Lead Changes: 3
Lap Leaders: 1-36 Clanton, 37 Decker, 38-50 Clanton
Red Flags: 0
Chase Decals Hard Luck Driver: Mike Altobelli - $100 Gift Certificate
Sue Stevenson Photography presents the AlturnaMats ® “Shock the Clock” MACS
Time Trials:
Car # / Driver Name / Time
90 - Gary Stuhler 20.082
24M - Jeremy Miller 20.260
25C - Shane Clanton 20.286
E1 - Mike Balzano 20.295
91 - Billy Decker 20.298
19F - Tim Fuller 20.323
39 - Greg Fetters 20.398
1* - Chub Frank 20.414
43A - Jason Covert 20.415
79 - Mike Altobelli 20.487
45 - Ricky Elliott 20.499
15E - Steven Everhart 20.605
18B - Shannon Babb 20.669
24 - Rick Eckert 20.694
7T - Dave Troutman 20.777
5W - Waylon Wagner 20.790
W1 - Chris Harr 20.807
31G - Bob Gordon 20.837
14P - Jack Pencil 20.918
07 - Keith Jackson 20.990
00H - Chuck Harper 21.002
4 - Alex Ferree 21.005
0 - Ron Delano 21.015
77 - Randy Burkholder 21.027
46 - Doug Horton 21.055
F1 - Coleby Frye 21.073
74 - Shawn Poling 21.107
15X - Shane Beegle 21.240
17B - Keith Barbara 21.275
22 - Gregg Satterlee 21.395
22A - Donald Lingo, Jr. 21.400
21 - Matt Lux 21.465
02 - Tony Lombardi 21.641
56 - Russell King 21.650
62 - Andy Bond 21.867
5 - Chuck Clise 21.884
66 - Albert Shawver 21.960
43 - Thomas Decker, Jr. 22.908
3 - Tom Baker 22.982
17 - Nick Dickson NT
Gary Stuhler 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 18.987 and held by Jackie Boggs.
Bazell Fuels presents the Sunoco Race Fuels 1st B Main: 1. Chuck Harper, Beverly, WV; 2. Keith Barbara, South Park, PA; 3. Chris Harr, Imler, PA; 4. Andy Bond, Coolville, OH; 5. Donald Lingo Jr, Millsboro, Del.; 6. Albert Shawver, Falling Waters, W. Va.; 7. Tony Lombardi, Warren, OH; 8. Thomas Decker, Jr., Tyrone, PA; 9. Shawn Poling, Elkins, WV, ; 10. Tom Baker, Massillon , OH ; 11. Ron Delano, Stoystown , PA.
Big Shot Performance presents the Keizer Wheels 2nd B Main : B-Main 02 -- 1. Doug Horton, Bruceton Mills , WV ; 2. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg , PA ; 3. Coleby Frye, Dover , Pa. ; 4. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg , PA ; 5. Russell King, Bristol , Ohio ; 6. Keith Jackson, Odenton , Md. ; 7. Matt Lux, Franklin , PA ; 8. Chuck Clise, Frostburg , MD ; 9. Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa. ; 10. Bob Gordon, Keyser , WV ; 11. Dave Troutman, Hyndman , PA ; 12. Shane Beegle, Everett , PA ; 13. Nick Dickson, Lewistown , Pa. .
Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic presents the Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1: 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa. ; 2. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle , PA ; 3. Shannon Babb, Moweque , IL ; 4. Billy Decker, Sidney , N.Y. ; 5. Chuck Harper, Beverly , WV ; 6. Keith Barbara, South Park , PA ; 7. Chris Harr, Imler , PA ; 8. Tony Lombardi, Warren , OH ; 9. Albert Shawver, Falling Waters, W. Va. .
Lias Tire Racing Division presents the American Racer Heat Race #3: 1. Tim Fuller, Edwards, N.Y.; 2. Mike Altobelli, Saxton , PA ; 3. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg , PA ; 4. Rick Eckert, York , PA ; 5. Alex Ferree, Saxonburg , PA ; 6. Coleby Frye, Dover , Pa. ; 7. Bob Gordon, Keyser , WV ; 8. Russell King, Bristol , Ohio ; 9. Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa. ; 10. Thomas Decker, Jr., Tyrone , PA.
Dave Poske Performance Parts presents the Rocket Chassis Heat Race #2:1. Shane Clanton, Locust Grove , Ga. ; 2. Greg Fetters, Everett , PA ; 3. Jack Pencil, Bedford , PA ; 4. Ricky Elliott, Seaford , Del. ; 5. Donald Lingo Jr, Millsboro , Del. ; 6. Andy Bond, Coolville , OH ; 7. Shawn Poling, Elkins , WV , ; 8. Tom Baker, Massillon , OH ; 9. Ron Delano, Stoystown , PA ; 10. Dave Troutman, Hyndman , PA.
Bert Transmissions presents the ATL Fuel Cells Heat Race #4: 1. Chub Frank, Bear Lake , PA ; 2. Waylon Wagner, Lewistown , Pa. ; 3. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg , WV ; 4. Randy Burkholder, Chambersburg , Pa. ; 5. Doug Horton, Bruceton Mills , WV ; 6. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg , PA ; 7. Matt Lux, Franklin , PA ; 8. Keith Jackson, Odenton , Md. ; 9. Chuck Clise, Frostburg , MD ; 10. Nick Dickson, Lewistown , Pa. ; 11. Shane Beegle, Everett , PA.
MACS FACTS:
Four heats were held for 40 drivers from eight states including: Delaware , Georgia , Illinois , Maryland , Ohio , New York , Pennsylvania , West Virginia .
Clanton drives the Ronnie Dobbins owned RSD Enterprises, Rocket GTO powered by a Custom Race Engine bearing Ohlins Shocks and mounted with Hoosier Race Tires. His other major marketing partners are SAE Parts, Stevens Plumbing and Mechanical Inc
The field included four current or past MACS Champions. Jack Pencil (O2) Chuck Harper (03), Mike Balzano (O5) and Jason Cover (06-07)
The feature field contained 10 previous MACS A Main winners.
The Series has had 66 different winners thus far in 202 events.
The win was Clanton’s first Career win with the series. 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) Robbie Blair – 10; 6.) Lynn Geisler - 8, 7.) Davey Johnson - 7; 9.) Mike Balzano – 6; 10) Bob Close, Bart Hartman and Scott Haus –5
2008 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series Event Winners:
April 12 – Allegany County Speedway (Cumberland, MD) - Shane Clanton
2008 Winners thus far: Shane Clanton
The average car count per event is: 40
40 Different drivers have competed thus far this season.
2008 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series Point Standings:
1. #25C – Shane Clanton 300
2. #91 – Billy Decker 295
3. #19F – Tim Fuller 290
4. #E1 – Mike Balzano 285
5. #24M – Jeremy Miller 280
6. #90 – Gary Stuhler 275
7. #18B – Shannon Babb 270
8. #43A – Jason Covert 265
9. #24 – Rick Eckert 260
10. #45 – Ricky Elliott 255
AlturnaMats® “Shock the Clock” Time Trail Points presented Sue Stevenson Photography
#90 – Gary Stuhler - 25
#24M – Jeremy Miller - 20
#25C – Shane Clanton - 18
#E1 – Mike Balzano - 16
#91 – Billy Decker - 14
#19F – Tim Fuller - 12
#39 – Greg Fetters - 10
#1* - Chub Frank - 8
#43A – Jason Covert – 6
#79 – Mike Altobelli® - 4
WRISCO Aluminum Event Hard Charger presented by JNJ Motorsports Media Points
#21 – Matt Lux – 8
#5 – Chuck Clise - 8
#46 - Doug Horton - 7
#18B – Shannon Babb - 5
#24 – Rick Eckert - 5
#45 – Ricky Elliott - 5
#19F – Tim Fuller – 2
#25C – Shane Clanton – 1
#90 – Gary Stuhler – 1
#43A – Jason Covert – 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 |
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