Hagerstown Speedway
Three State Flyers victory is 100th for Covert
Jason Covert (43a) works under Gregg Satterlee (22) at Hagerstown. (wrtspeedwerx.com)
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (March 31) — Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., earned his 100th career Late Model feature victory Saturday at Hagerstown Speedway, pocketing $3,000 for his series-leading 17th victory on the Three State Flyers circuit.
Covert took the lead from reigning series champ Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., on the 26th lap and led the remainder of the 35-lap feature at the half-mile oval’s season opener.
“What a car,” Covert said emerging from his car. “Thanks to the guys. I had to work today and they took care of the car for me, so all the credit goes to them. They worked that hard so I thought I better drive that hard.”
After starting seventh, Covert battled and inched his way to the front until taking the lead from Satterlee, who dethroned Covert in 2012 after he'd earned three straight tour titles.
“I sure hope the fans liked that race. From where I was sitting, it sure was fun,” said Covert, reflecting on his milestone victory. “That’s a long time for what I’ve done and where I came from. It’s kind of humbling. When I first started, I didn’t know if I’d ever get one and then I got one and it was four or five years until I got another one.”
Keith Jackson powered to the front at the outset of the main event followed by Satterlee, Trever Feathers, Kenny Pettyjohn and Covert. Eighth-starting J.T. Spence coasted to a stop on the third lap to draw an early caution.
Following a lap-eight red flag when Gary Stuhler stopped on the frontstretch with a fire under the hood, Jackson continued to fend off Satterlee and Pettyjohn while Jamie Lathroum battled with Covert and, behind them, Eckert and Nick Dickson dueled.
Jackson held his own until a lap-13 restart when Satterlee charged around the top of turn two to surge ahead while Pettyjohn tried his luck on the inside to charge into second as Jackson later coasted to a stop on the 16th.
Covert got past Pettyjohn on the restart to take second and then began working Satterlee over while Eckert advanced into the third position on the 22nd lap.
The green remained out as Covert powered past Satterlee on the 26th and ducked between two cars entering the first turn to make up some distance. Covert was getting where he needed and by the checkered, had two lapped cars and 1.584 seconds back to Satterlee.
“The yellows were hurting us,” Covert said. “We needed to get on a longer run. I was getting pinned on the restarts. Once I got clear I could start running the line I wanted. After that, our American Racer tires showed what they’ll do.”
Eckert held to third over Dickson and Dan Stone. Pettyjohn went on to finish sixth.
Notes: Covert’s Barry Klinedinst-owned Rocket Chassis is powered by a Hershey’s Racing Engine and sponsored by Pre-Mach Fabricators and Machinists, Red Wing Shoes and Lias Tire. ... Hagerstown’s Late Model division is sponsored by Buchanan Auto Stores. ... Scott LeBarron started 26th and advanced to 15th to collect the $100 Round Hill Auto Hard Charger honors. ... Drivers failing to make the feature lineup: Brian Booze, Pancho Lawler, Justin Kann, Andy Fries, Tyler Hershey, Rick Hulson, Chaz Walls, Dominic Defino, Andy Haus, Keith Barbara, Frankie Plessinger, Brad Omps, Tyler Castle, Duane Harbaugh, Dan Swartzlander and Corey Weaver. ... Hagerstown goes into regular-season action April 6. ... Three State Flyers drivers take a month off before returning to action April 26 at Winchester (Va.) Speedway.
Three State Flyers @ Hagerstown: (1) Jason Covert, (2) Gregg Satterlee, (3) Rick Eckert, (4) Nick Dickson, (5) Dan Stone, (6) Kenny Pettyjohn, (7) Jamie Lathroum, (8) Trever Feathers, (9) Mark Pettyjohn, (10) Kenny Moreland, (11) Marvin Winters, (12) David Williams, (13) Roy Deese Jr., (14) Glenn Elliott, (15) Scott LeBarron, (16) Lindsay Barton, (17) Brian Tavenner, (18) Matt Parks, (19) Keith Jackson, (20) Devin Friese, (21) Dale Hollidge, (22) Jerry Bard, (23) C.S. Fitzgerald II, (24) Rusty Sites, (25) Gary Stuhler, (26) J.T. Spence. Fast qualifier (among 44 cars): Bard, 18.916 seconds. Heat race winners: Eckert, K. Pettyjohn, Satterlee, Dickson. Consolation winners: Sites, Stuhler.
