Greater Cumberland Raceway
Covert lights up Big Kahuna, earns $10,000
By Matt Felten
Allegany County Speedway
Winner Jason Covert battles Davey Johnson (1j) in Cumberland, Md. (pbase.com/cyberslash)
CUMBERLAND, Md. (Oct. 4) — Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., stormed back into the lead before the halfway point to earn a trip to victory lane at Sunday's Big Kahuna IX at Allegany County Speedway. Covert seized control on lap 22 of the 50-lap feature and worked traffic without a hitch to claim his second Big Kahuna win. The victory was worth $10,000.
Covert ran second to D.J. Troutman of Hyndman, Pa., until the frontstretch lights shut off on lap 21 for the second time on the evening. Covert credited the caution and delay while the lights warmed up for the chance to pull a stubborn fender away from his tire. He put the lights out on the rest of the field after lap 30.
Davey Johnson of Latrobe, Pa., chased Covert until traffic became heavy through lap 37. Johnson began to lose ground with lapped traffic. A reprieve came on lap 43 when fifth-place Keith Jackson’s race came to an end.
Covert was outstanding on the restart and pulled away by two seconds to the victory ahead of Johnson. Johnson had taken second from Troutman on lap 24.
Troutman, who shot by Covert to get the lead after an early caution, led until lap 21. Covert went to the high side on lap 19 and pulled even with Troutman before the caution set up Covert’s winning pass on the high side again on lap 22.
Troutman finished third. Gary Stuhler of Greencastle, Pa., was fourth and Jeff Rine of Danville, Pa., rounded out the top five. Two of the early frontrunners had early exits. Outside front-row starter Jack Pencil of Bedford, Pa., suffered a mechanical issue just after taking the green. Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., lasted only until lap three.
Notes: Covert's Barry Klinedinst-owned Rocket Chassis has a Hershey Racing Engine and sponsorship from Red Wing Shoes, Kuppy's Diner and Bam Auto Center. ... Barry Miller won Saturday's Limited Late Model feature. ... The race was originally scheduled for Friday-Saturday but pushed back a day by rain.
Big Kahuna IX: (1) Jason Covert, (2) Davey Johnson, (3) D.J. Troutman, (4) Gary Stuhler, (5) Jeff Rine, (6) Doug Horton, (7) Randy Burkholder, (8) Ray Davis Jr., (9) Chuck Clise, (10) Mike Lupfer, (11) Billy Wampler, (12) Kenny Pettyjohn, (13) Greg Fetters, (14) Donald Lingo Jr., (15) Tom Decker, (16) Bob Gordon, (17) Keith Jackson, (18) Jeremy Miller, (19) Chuck Harper, (20) Eric Zembower, (21) Chris Harr, (22) Chad McClellan, (23) Austin Hubbard, (24) Jack Pencil. Scratched: Keith Barbara. Fast qualifier (among 32 cars): Jackson, 19.877 seconds. Heat race winners: Johnson, Pencil, Hubbard, Covert. Consolation winner: Davis.
