Natural Bridge Speedway
Covert spans Natural Bridge for $3,000 victory
NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (May 1) — Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., started outside the front row at Natural Bridge Speedway and led all 35 laps of the Don Pugh Memorial. Covert's series-leading fifth career Three State Flyers victory paid $3,000 for his first visit to the 3/8-mile oval.
Third-starting Bo Feathers of Winchester, Va., finished two seconds back as the runner-up with Walker Arthur of Forest, Va., in third. Jim Bernheisel of Lebanon, Pa., was fourth and polesitter D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa., who ran second the first 14 laps, slipped back to finish fifth.
Chris Cromer of Charlottesville, Va., started fourth but quickly dropped out of the top five, ending up 20th in a race where all but one of the 24 starters were running at the finish.
Notes: Covert's Barry Klinedinst-owned Rocket Chassis has a Hershey Racing Engine and sponsorship from Pre-Mach Inc., Red Wing Shoes and Lias Tire. ... Fifteen drivers finished on the lead lap. ... Ricky Wells dropped out on lap 23. ... Next up for Three State Flyers competitors is a May 28-29 weekend at Winchester (Va.) Speedway and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. Both races pay $3,000 to the winner.
Don Pugh Memorial: (1) Jason Covert, (2) Bo Feathers, (3) Walker Arthur, (4) Jim Bernheisel, (5) D.J. Myers, (6) Gerald Davis, (7) Andy Anderson, (8) David Watts, (9) Bryan Bernheisel, (10) J.T. Spence, (11) Devin Friese, (12) Jamie Lathroum, (13) Matt Quade, (14) Ronnie DeHaven Jr., (15) Scott LeBarron, (16) Tim Stalnaker, (17) Trever Feathers, (18) Brian Tavenner, (19) Brad Omps, (20) Chris Cromer, (21) Greg Roberson, (22) Kristian Looney, (23) Jared Almarode, (24) Ricky Wells. Heat race winners (among 27 cars): Myers, B. Feathers, Davis. Dash winner: Myers. Consolation winner: Spence.
