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Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS)

Thur July 22,1999
Jeff Geesey,

(Indiana  PA) The Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) "Thunder in the Mountains Tour V" kicked-off at Scott Farley's Tyler County Speedway, Middlebourne, WV on Thursday, July 22. The $5,000 to-win, Beecher Eaton Memorial drew 61 drivers from six states including Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Sixteen year veteran, Gary Dalton, Morgantown WV, garnered his career-first Series win taking the 50-lap contest. Dalton is the eighth different winner in the eleven races to-date. He is also the nineteenth different driver to sit in victory lane during the 46 events presented by this highly competitive Series.  Dalton drives a Rocket chassis for Marshall Doll that is powered by WRP and shod with Hoosiers. Gary's sponsors include Hall's Welding Supply and Wesbanco.

Seven qualifying heats and four B Mains narrowed the starting field to the quickest twenty-four. Robbie Scott and Jackie Boggs were poised on the front row with the eventual winner, Gary Dalton, mired in eleventh. As this stellar field took the green Boggs grabbed the early lead with Lynn Geisler, current Series point leader, slotted in second over Scott, Mike Benedum, and Mike Balzano. The first lap was complete before the first of seven cautions waved. Once the field was restacked, Boggs again exploded to a commanding lead.  He continued powering his way leading the event despite a few minor cautions. The most significant caution occurred while Boggs was leading on lap 15.  A six car mallee happened at the entrance of turn three collecting Balzano, Mike Eaton, Bob Wearing Jr., Bob Moskey, Jeff Ferguson, and Ron Davies.  All involved retired for the evening expect Balzano and Moskey. Other drivers exiting but not involved in the caution were Butch McGill and Thomas Ware.

With the field depleted, Boggs continued to hold down the top spot with Geisler, Benedum, Dalton, and Mike Johnson from 18, now comprising the top five. Boggs lead the next two circuits before his engine expired while the field was under caution.Billowing clouds of gray- black smoke temporarily obscured visibility.  With Bogg's misfortune Geisler inherited the lead over Benedum, Dalton, Johnson, and Scott Brode from thirteenth.

Geisler held Benedum at bay through lap 21 before Dalton snared the runner-up spot on lap 22. Dalton was working the high groove whole the leader Geisler held his ground in the middle.\ Dalton was building momentum by lap 24 as he blasted into the lead.  Simultaneously Balzano worked his way into fifth. Dalton entered lap traffic for the first time on the 35 circuit.  Geisler still held the runner-up spot followed by Balzano, Benedum, and Johnson.

Balzano powered his way into second on lap 42 clawing his way toward the leader.  With two laps remaining, Dalton held a comfortable lead over Balzano as Mike attempted to close the gap. At the checkers it was Dalton over Balzano, Geisler, Johnson, and Benedum.  Leading the next flight of five were Doug Eaton, Rob Blair, the event hard charger from twenty-third; Scott Brode from thirteenth; Ed Carley from seventeenth; and Bob Moskey.

MACS Junior Racer Club (JRC) winner of the night was six-year old Marlea McCune, Ripley, West Virginia.She received t-shirts and hats from Hoosier and McCreary Tire as well as a hat from Slavic Custom Racing shirts and Decals. All participating JRC members present at the track this evening had the opportunity to have a group phot taken in victory lane with the MACS feature winner.

Calico Coatings gift certificate winners: Gary Dalton $125.00; Rob Blair $75.00; Scott Rhodes $50.00; Cory Conley $50.00; Denny Chamberlain $50.00; Norman Aronhalt $50.00 MACS Facts:  Series stats reveal 223 drivers participating in eleven events.

Event: # 11
Tyler County Raceway, Middlebourne WV
7/22/99