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News & Stories Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS)
(Hagerstown MD) The Plessingers, Hagerstown Speedway, Hagerstown, MD, welcomed the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) back for the Friday night kick-off show of the 52nd Anniversary event. Forty-seven drivers were on hand from eight states including Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia for the 50-lap, $7,000 to-win show. The total purse was a whopping $30,000 one-day show, which is one of the largest on the Series schedule. Veteran, Mike Balzano, Parkersburg, WV, claimed his career-first Series win making him the tenth different winner in the fourteen events presented to date. The win also makes him the twentieth different winner, out of 49 events, in the three year history of the Series. Mike chauffeurs a Hoosier mounted Rocket, powered by a 400 cubic inch Draime. His ardent supporters are Rocket Chassis; Turbo Blue Racing Fuels; Eddie's Auto Parts; Draime Engines; and Hoosier Tire. Four heats and two B Mains choreographed the starting field of twenty-six drivers. The top two drivers from each heat redrew for their starting position. Andy Anderson and local standout, Rodney Franklin, comprised the front row. Eventual winner, Balzano, positioned in fifth. Credit goes to the track prep crew for an outstanding surface. It was three grooves wide with a smooth texture. The field roared to life with Franklin grabbing the lead as Anderson slotted to second while Balzano catapulted to third. By the beginning of the second circuit Balzano dispatched Anderson and held Franklin squarely in his sights. Franklin, with many victory's to his credit, looked stout in the opening stages. Balzano reeled in the leader by mere inches on every revolution. On lap 13 the first of three cautions waved, Anderson's motor expired in turn two after trailing wisps of smoke for several laps. Franklin was still in command but Balzano was now within striking distance over Nathan Durboraw, from eighth; Gary Stuhler, in an awesome charge from thirteenth; and Chub Frank. Franklin maintained the lead over Balzano through the next two laps however, Balzano was poised and ready for the chase. Balzano snared the lead on lap 16 in a beautiful pass of Franklin coming out of turn four blasting down the front chute. Franklin's set-up seemed to be giving some as third and fourth runners, Durbarow and Stuhler quickly closed. The two were locked in a tremendous battle as they raced toward the leaders. By lap 22, both Durboraw and Stuhler blew past Franklin, as his set-up was causing him to fight to maintain position. On lap 34 Balzano engaged lapped traffic for the first time. The top five at this juncture included Durboraw, Stuhler, Frank, and Franklin. The racing in mid-pack was phenomenal. Several drivers who advanced through the B Mains were now establishing their run to the front. Lap 35 saw Stuhler sneak by Durboraw for the runner-up spot. Stuhler was trying to catch the fleet Balzano as he waded into heavy lapped traffic. For every lapped car Stuhler removed, Balzano added one. While Balzano lapped cars with tremendous skill and precision Stuhler maintained chase. On lap 41 Frank disposed Durboraw for third. With five laps to go, Balzano had a comfortable margin over Stuhler, Frank, Durboraw, and Franklin. At the checkers it was Balzano cruising to a very comfortable win over Stuhler, Frank, Durboraw and Franklin. The next tier of five included; Todd Andrews, from fifteenth; Charlie Schaffer; Steve Shaver, from nineteenth; Kenny Pettyjohn, from sixteenth; and Bart Hartman, from seventeenth. MACS Junior Racer Club (JRC) winner of the night was seven-year old Tony Owens, III, Inwood WV. He received T-shirts and hats from Hoosier and McCreary Tire, as well as a hat from Slavic Custom Racing Shirts and Decals. The Series provided the winner with a MACS checkered flag. Calico Coatings gift certificate winners: Mike Balzano $125.00; Roy Deese (Hard Charger) $75.00; Booper Bare $50.00; Bob Close $50.00 MACS Facts: Series stats reveal 240 drivers participating in fourteen events.
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