Winchester Speedway
Covert wins $3,500 in Raye Vest Memorial opener
WINCHESTER, Va. (Oct. 20) — Polesitter Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., led the final 32 laps of Friday night’s Raye Vest Memorial opener at Winchester Speedway, earning a $3,500 victory in the 35-lap unsanctioned event.
Kenny Pettyjohn of Milton, Del., trailed Covert across the line in second followed by 12th-starting Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa. Gary Stuhler and D.J. Myers, both of Greencastle, Pa., finished fourth and fifth.
Rick Eckert or York, Pa., who was looking to extend his October hot streak in an event that honors his long-time car owner, broke a driveshaft while leader to bring out a lap-seven caution. David Watt and Mark Pettyjohn also slowed to draw cautions.
Friday’s time trial results set the lineups for a pair of $1,000-to-win qualifiers on Saturday. Covert and Eckert will each sit on the pole of the 24-lap races, which each transfer the top twelve finishers to Saturday’s 50-lap, $8,000-to-win Raye Vest Memorial finale.
Notes: Covert's Hershey-powered, Barry Klinedinst-owned Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Pre-Mach Inc., Red Wing Shoes, Lias Tire and Baker Carburetion. … The victory is Covert’s fourth of $3,000 or more since Aug. 3. … Nick Dickson rallied from 19th to finish eighth. … Among drivers failing to make Friday’s feature lineup: Keith Jackson, Coleby Frye, Rusty Schlenk, Tom Decker, Tony Crim.
Raye Vest Memorial: (1) Jason Covert, (2) Kenny Pettyjohn, (3) Gregg Satterlee, (4) Gary Stuhler, (5) D.J. Myers, (6) Joe Leavell, (7) Brian Tavenner, (8) Nick Dickson, (9) Dan Stone, (10) Frankie Plessinger, (11) Bo Feathers, (12) C.S. Fitzgerald, (13) Dale Hollidge, (14) Tommy Armel, (15) Trevor Feathers, (16) Tim Senic, (17) Andy Friese, (18) Chad Hollenbeck, (19) Mark Pettyjohn, (20) Scott LeBarron, (21) David Watts, (22) Brad Omps, (23) Rick Eckert, (24) Kenny Moreland. Fast qualifier (among 34 cars): Covert, 14.89 seconds.
