JEFF RINE EARNS FIRST CAREER MACS WIN IN BEDFORD TRIUMPH
From the MACS website, with additions by Dave Harclerode
BEDFORD, PA - It’s been a long time coming for Danville, PA’s Jeff Rine to claim his career first MACS victory worth $5,000 in the “TC Warehouse Late Model Spring Championship’ at the Keifer Motorsport promoted Bedford Speedway, Bedford, PA. Rine has been close to winning a Mid-Atlantic Championship Series event on numerous occasions, but on this night, he was not to be denied as he lead all 50 laps.
World of Outlaws Late Model Series standout Rick Eckert and Rine led the anxious 26-car starting field to green with Eckert gaining a slight advantage as the thundering field barreled out of turn two. Eckert’s lead was negated though as Randy Burkholder’s mount spun to a stop in turn three. Rick and Jeff again brought the pack out of turn four with Rine finally gaining the upper-hand after a drag down the back chute with Eckert.
Rine stretched his lead to over ten car length’s by the seventh circuit but that is when Eckert and his C.J. Rayburn Chassis found a line that would close the gap by lap 10. As Eckert closed on the leader, Rine closed in on lapped traffic.
By lap 12, Rine was dealing with lapped traffic as ‘Scrub’ patiently waited for an opportunity to shuffle the leader to second. The lead duo methodically worked their way through traffic while third and fourth place contestants, reigning MACS Champion, Jason Covert and Gary Stuhler slowly inched their way closer.
Eckert looked both inside and outside of Rine but couldn’t find an opening big enough to make his move on the leader. Rick’s assault was slowed on lap 22 for 2008 AlturnaMATS® Rookie of the Year candidate Ron Delano Jr. came to a halt in turn four.
During the ensuing Delaware style restart, Covert blew by Eckert into second, but that effort was thwarted by a spin for Steve Everhart. Rine again brought the field down for the green and once again Covert vaulted into second. Eckert then uncharacteristically pushed up track in turn two letting Stuhler slide by into third. Stuhler then turned up the wick on Covert for second. Jason and Gary battled side-by-side through turns three and four with Stuhler taking the position away.
Just as the leaders passed the start finish line, Bo Feathers, Scott LeBarron, Doug Horton, and Jack Pencil all got together coming out of the fourth corner to bring out the third caution. The single-file restart had Rine pulling Covert, Stuhler, Eckert and 12th place starter Scott Haus to the green. Haus used the high line to get around Eckert for fourth and carried his momentum down the long Bedford Speedway backstretch to get along side of Covert for third. Covert was able to fend off Haus challenges for the position as Eckert blasted underneath Haus. Eckert, just like Haus, used his momentum to snag fourth while pulling to Covert’s door panel for third. Eckert finally had the set-up he wanted, making the pass relegating Covert to fourth just as another AlturnaMATS Rookie of the Year contender, Mike Altobelli Jr. spun in turn two.
With 28 laps in, it was still Rine leading the way over the ‘The Beast of the East’, Gary Stuhler, Eckert, Haus and Covert rounding out the top five. As racing resumed, Rine and Stuhler stayed out front leaving Haus and Eckert t battle for third. Eckert eventually scored the position and pulled away from Haus as Covert maneuvered his way back around Haus to re-claim fourth. On lap 36 the final caution flag flew for D.J. Troutman who spun his mount in turn four.
At this juncture, Rine appeared untouchable as he started to slightly pull away from Stuhler and the field. Haus, had expended his tire coming through the field and continued to fade as Steve Everhart recovered from his lap 22 spin to move into the fifth.
Stuhler stayed glued to Rine for the remained 12 laps but was never close enough to mount a serious charge for the win. Rine, fist held high as he took the checkers, scored his first MACS career win. Rine was closely followed by Stuhler, Eckert, Covert, and Everhart. Haus held on for sixth over 2008 AlturnaMATS® Rookie of the Year contenders Greg Fetters and Coleby Frye, Jeff Miller, and Jeremy Miller rounded out the top ten. The win was Rine's 5th career victory at Bedford.
Event Recap:
MACS Late Models at Bedford Speedway, Bedford , PA , May 25, 2008
Event title: ‘TC Warehouse Late Model Spring Championship’
Finish / Start / Car # / Driver Name / Payoff
1. (2) #92 – Jeff Rine - $5,000.00
2. (5) #90 – Gary Stuhler - $3,000.00
3. (1) #24 – Rick Eckert - $2,000.00
4. (4) #43A – Jason Covert - $1,500.00
5. (18) #15E – Steve Everhart - $1,250.00
6. (12) #33 – Scott Haus - $1,110.00
7. (3) #39 – Greg Fetters® - $1,050.00
8. (8) #F1 – Coleby Frye® - $1,000.00
9. (6) #57 – Jeff Miller - $850.00
10. (11) #24M – Jeremy Miller - $700.00
11. (16) #21D – Dan Stone - $600.00
12. (14) #83R – Scott Rhodes - $575.00
13. (20) #E1 – Mike Balzano - $550.00
14. (10) #8L – Scott LeBarron - $525.00
15. (21) #14P – Jack Pencil - $500.00
16. (13) #77 – Randy Burkholder - $475.00
17. (24) #5W – Waylon Wagner - $450.00
18. (7) #0 – Ron Delano, Jr.® - $425.00
19. (15) #151 – D.J. Troutman - $400.00
20. (17) #79 – Mike Altobelli, Jr.® - $400.00
21. (22) #D1 – Bo Feathers - $400.00
22. (9) #46- Doug Horton - $400.00
23. (21) #21 – Matt Lux - $400.00
24. (25) #17 – Nick Dickson - $400.00
25. (26) #17J – Wayne Johnson - $400.00
26. (19) #55 – Brian Booze - $400.00
Car Count: 45
Time of the Event: 39 Minutes: 56 Seconds
Caution Laps: Complete, 22 (2), 24, 28, 36,
Lead Changes: 1
Lap Leaders: 1-50 Rine
Red Flags: 0
Chase Decals Hard Luck Driver: Doug Horton $100 Gift Certificate:
2008 MACS Shock the Clock Time Trials presented by AlturnaMats ®
Time Trials:
Car # / Driver Name / Time
22A - Donald Lingo, Jr. 20.336
F1 - Coleby Frye 20.588
24 - Rick Eckert 20.667
E1 - Mike Balzano 20.694
90 - Gary Stuhler 20.698
14P - Jack Pencil 20.701
39 - Greg Fetters 20.710
57 - Jeff Miller 20.714
5K - Kirk Ryan, Jr. 20.724
L8 - Norman Short Jr. 20.728
92 - Jeff Rine 20.742
43A - Jason Covert 20.811
0 - Ron Delano 20.824
46 - Doug Horton 20.829
17 - Nick Dickson 20.849
15E - Steven Everhart 20.858
8L - Scott LeBarron 20.886
8A - Alan Sagi 20.901
151 - D.J. Troutman 20.945
D1 - Bo Feathers 21.069
55 - Brian Booze 21.073
83R - Scott Rhodes 21.084
5 - Chuck Clise 21.128
33 - Scott Haus 21.164
77 - Randy Burkholder 21.195
24M - Jeremy Miller 21.234
21 - Matt Lux 21.267
17J - Wayne Johnson 21.306
56 - Russell King 21.320
M1 - Andy Martz 21.336
02 - Tony Lombardi 21.410
21D - Dan Stone 21.433
31J - TJ Wright 21.476
20 - Shaun Claar 21.485
79 - Mike Altobelli 21.552
W1 - Chris Harr 21.562
49Z - Eric Zembower 21.671
06 - Mike Lupfer 21.747
43 - Thomas Decker, Jr. 22.067
15X - Shane Beegle 22.082
5W - Waylon Wagner 22.146
03 - Doug Ishler 22.432
25S - Derek Sala 22.856
46S - Matt Sala 23.039
3 - Tom Baker NT
Donald Lingo Jr. was awarded a $200 Gift Certificate from Alturnamats® plus a $100 Gift Certificate from Impact Graphics for being Fast Qualifier.
Bedford Speedway Track Record is 19.961 and held by Steve Francis.
Bazell Fuels presents the Sunoco Race Fuels 1st B Main : 1. Mike Altobelli, Saxton, PA; 2. Brian Booze, Marion, Pa.; 3. Matt Lux, Franklin, PA; 4. Waylon Wagner, Lewistown, Pa.; 5. Russell King, Bristol, Ohio; 6. Kirk Ryan, Jr., Lewisberry, Pa.; 7. Tony Lombardi, Warren, OH; 8. TJ Wright, Imler, Pa.; 9. Thomas Decker, Jr., Tyrone, PA; 10. Derek Sala, Davidsville , Pa. ; 11. Nick Dickson, Lewistown , Pa. ; 12. Donald Lingo, Jr., Millsboro , Del. ; 13. Chuck Clise, Frostburg , MD ; 14. Eric Zembower, Bedford , PA ; 15. Tom Baker, Massillon , OH .
JNJ Motorsports Media presents the Keizer Wheels 2nd B Main : B-Main 02 -- 1. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg , PA ; 2. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg , WV ; 3. Bo Feathers, Winchester , VA ; 4. Alan Sagi, Hagerstown , MD ; 5. Andy Martz, Bedford , Pa. ; 6. Wayne Johnson, Hancock , MD ; 7. Shaun Claar, Imler , Pa. ; 8. Mike Lupfer, Shermansdale , PA ; 9. Chris Harr, Imler , PA ; 10. Jack Pencil, Bedford , PA ; 11. Norman Short Jr., Georgetown , Del. ; 12. Doug Ishler, Port Matilda , PA ; 13. Matt Sala, Davidsville , Pa. ; 14. Shane Beegle, Everett , PA.
Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic presents the Hoosier Tire Heat Race #1: 1. Gary Stuhler, Greencastle , PA ; 2. Ron Delano, Stoystown , PA ; 3. Scott LeBarron, Dover , Pa. ; 4. Randy Burkholder, Chambersburg , Pa. ; 5. Brian Booze, Marion , Pa. ; 6. Eric Zembower, Bedford , PA ; 7. Russell King, Bristol , Ohio ; 8. Waylon Wagner, Lewistown , Pa. ; 9. Donald Lingo, Jr., Millsboro , Del. ; 10. TJ Wright, Imler , Pa. ; 11. Tom Baker, Massillon , OH ; 12. Kirk Ryan, Jr., Lewisberry , Pa. .
Dave Poske Performance Parts presents the Rocket Chassis Heat Race #2: 1. Doug Horton, Bruceton Mills , WV ; 2. Coleby Frye, Dover , Pa. ; 3. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg , PA ; 4. Scott Rhodes, Somerset , PA ; 5. Andy Martz, Bedford , Pa. ; 6. Shaun Claar, Imler , Pa. ; 7. Norman Short Jr., Georgetown , Del. ; 8. Mike Lupfer, Shermansdale , PA ; 9. Jack Pencil, Bedford , PA ; 10. Doug Ishler, Port Matilda , PA ; 11. Alan Sagi, Hagerstown , MD.
Lias Tire Racing Division presents the American Racer Heat Race #3: 1. Jeff Rine, Danville , PA ; 2. Greg Fetters, Everett , PA ; 3. Rick Eckert, York , PA ; 4. D.J. Troutman, Hyndman , PA ; 5. Mike Altobelli, Saxton , PA ; 6. Chuck Clise, Frostburg , MD ; 7. Matt Lux, Franklin , PA ; 8. Tony Lombardi, Warren , OH ; 9. Thomas Decker, Jr., Tyrone , PA ; 10. Derek Sala, Davidsville , Pa. ; 11. Nick Dickson, Lewistown , Pa. .
Bert Transmissions presents the ATL Fuel Cells Heat Race #4: 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa. ; 2. Jeff Miller, Huntington , PA ; 3. Scott Haus, Hamburg , PA ; 4. Dan Stone,
Thompson , PA ; 5. Steven Everhart, Hollidaysburg , PA ; 6. Mike Balzano, Parkersburg , WV ; 7. Chris Harr, Imler , PA ; 8. Bo Feathers, Winchester , VA ; 9. Wayne Johnson, Hancock , MD ; 10. Matt Sala, Davidsville , Pa. ; 11. Shane Beegle, Everett , PA.
The Bedford Valley Petroleum Limited Late Models were on hand with 29 cars in the pits, and Stoystown, Pa's Craig Perigo went home with a $1,000 in his pocket. Twenty-seven cars started the feature, and it was an action packed feature. Rick Singleton, who won the previous evening at Hesston, had a chance to win the $400 bonus for winning at Hesston and Bedford back to back. Singleton started sixth, but couldn't get around Perigo and Tyler Hersey, and had to settle for a third place finish. The biggest charger of the race was Craig Wagaman. Wagaman started 26th and worked his way up to 8th until he ran out of time when the checkered flew. Tyler Hershey ran at times inches from the leader Perigo, but at the end Perigo was solid and won his 4th career Limited Late feature at Bedford. Hershey, Singleton, Mike Shoemaker, and Tim Smith, Jr. completed the top five. Heats went to Perigo, Hershey, and Singelton.
The Ritchey Sandblasting Hobby Stocks put on a great show as usual. Derrick Hinish was involved in a lap one skirmish, and restarted dead last. By the time the checkered flew, Hinish was the winner. Reed Stickel, Jr. and Charlie Walter, Jr. battled ferociously for the lead for much of the race until Hinish worked back to third. Hinish battled past both drivers to take his 8th career Bedford victory, and 2nd win of 2008.
LIMITED LATE MODELS
FEATURE: 1. Craig Perigo 2. Tyler Hershey 3. Rick Singleton 4. Mike Shoemaker 5. Tim Smith, Jr. 6. Jamey Swank 7. Robbie Black 8. Craig Wagaman 9. Derek Byler 10. Travis Stickley 11. Donnie Farlling 12. Matt Sponaugle 13. Lincoln Ritchey 14. Travis Calhoun 15. Howie Bussard 16. Kyle Wiser 17. Andy Teno 18. Travis Fleegle 19. Scott Daniels 20. Brandon Hoover 21. Michael Stiffler 22. Ronnie Evans 23. George Beckett 24. Eddie Cornett (DNF) 25. Matt Cosner (DNF) 26. Travis Cottle (DNF) 27. Steve Bard (DNF)
DNS: Brian Lowery, Chad McClellan
HEAT 1: Perigo, Farlling, Swank
HEAT 2: Hershey, Black, Shoemaker
HEAT 3: Singleton, Teno, Stickley
HOBBY STOCKS
FEATURE: 1. Derrick Hinish 2. Reed Stickel, Jr. 3. Charlie Walter, Jr. 4. Steve Fadley 5. Tyler Ritchey 6. Jason Gilliland 7. Shawn Dunmyer 8. Mandy Jay 9. Ryan Beckett 10. Mike Siegele 11. Justin Milburn 12. Kevin Hinish 13. Jeff Shoemaker 14. Travis Group 15. Ray Shepherd 16. Jarrod Brown 17. Joe Railey 18. Bill Replogle 19. Chuck Weyant 20. Brandon LaSalle
DNS: Alicia LeGros, Mark Shope
HEAT 1: Replogle, Walter, Dunmyer
HEAT 2: Weyant, D. Hinish, Ritchey
