Glenpool, Ok. (September 2, 2014) - It was a historic night for Matt Covington as the Glenpool, Oklahoma shoe rocketed to his second victory of the season. Covington claimed the Jackson Sprint Car Nationals and added his name to its list of historic drivers. Matt was able to pocket the winning $5,000 check in his first visit to the half-mile oval with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real.
The event was the 36th running of the Jackson Nationals presented by the State Bank of Fairmont, as Covington led start-to-finish for his third career Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour score.
"Jackson, Minn. - this place is awesome. I haven't been here before, but it's definitely in my top-five places to be ever. I can't wait to come back," said an excited Matt Covington who became the fourteenth different winner on the season. "The track was super heavy and fast and you really had to cowboy up. It was really fun battling with the lapped cars, but I'd really like to come back when this place is slicked up."
Drawing the outside-pole in the redraw after a 2nd place heat effort, Covington out dashed Kaley Gharst into the first two turns on two attempts after the first start was called back due to the stopped No. 15h of Sam Hafertepe, Jr. who suffered engine failure.
Underway after a caution on Lap 3 for Mark Dobmeier who went off the top of turn two, Covington found slower traffic by Lap 8. Keeping Gharst at a healthy distance, the green lights stayed on until Lap 19 when fifth running Paige Polyak went into the wall with a flat Right Rear tire in turn four. She was allowed to return due to a red on the restart for D.J. Brink who flipped in turn-three. Brink was okay.
Taking off for the final stretch, the caution displayed again on Lap 27 as Ian Madsen came to a stop exiting the second turn; erasing Covington's 2.631 second lead. Green for the final three laps, Covington went uncontested, winning by 2.465 seconds.
“Saturday night’s win was a pretty cool night for me,” stated Covington. “It was awesome for me to get a National Tour win this year, but more importantly I wanted that for my team and Justin along with all my partners and sponsors that helped us all season. We have had an up and down year and it’s just nice to get a victory and strong run like this team deserves. Hopefully we can take this win and help carry us into the remainder of the season and grab us another couple victories before seasons end.”
Matt and his Covington Motorsports team would like to thank his partners who made this win possible: T&L Foundry, Triple X Chassis, A-Rock Materials, Winters, Brodix, C.G. Martin Company, Factor 1 Racing, All-Star Performance, Outlaw Wings, Pro Shocks, DMI Components, Keizer Wheels, ButlerBuilt, Simpson Race Products, GME Steering, Wesmar Racing Engines, Bob Hurley RV, Eaton Industrial, Maxwell Oil, and Schoenfeld Headers for their support in 2014.
2014 STATS: Starts-34, Wins-2, Top 5’s-10, Top 10’s-17
ON TAP:
9/12/2014 - Texas Motor Speedway - Fort Worth, TX
9/13/2014 - Texas Motor Speedway - Fort Worth, TX
LIVE RACE COVERAGE: Visit http://www.RacinBoys.com for free, live audio (Select Pay-Per-View video)
MERCHANDISE: There are new 2014 shirts now in stock which can be purchased at the races in the trailer, or on the website www.mattcovingtonracing.com.
STAY CONNECTED: For all the latest news of Matt Covington, visit his website, www.mattcovingtonracing.com, like him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/mattcovingtonracing, or follow him on twitter, @mattcovington11.
- Matt Covington on Sep 02, 2014
- Article Date: 9/2/2014