Three-State Flyers: Covert Enjoys "Bonebrake Tribute" Win

Bob Vores

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - May 28. Jason Covert became Hagerstown Speedway’s fifth different winner in as many events Saturday when he scored a triumph in the Three State Flyers Late Model Series 16th annual Richard “Boney” Bonebrake Tribute. The event was also the "Hagerstown/Winchester Shootout". Restarting with five laps to go in the 35-lap race, Covert, of York Haven, Pa, sped away to score the win by 1.25 seconds over Austin Hubbard. He also recorded victory in the 2009 Bonebrake event.

“When I was a kid, I came here and rooted for Denny Bonebrake,’ Covert said. “Anyone with that name is cool. It’s really an honor to win tonight.”

Gary Stuhler and Covert started from the front row as Stuhler pulled out to lead with the opening lap cautioned for a fourth turn incident involving Frankie Plessinger, Jamie Lathroum, Roy Deese, Jr. and Rick Eckert, with Deese and Eckert able to restart on the rear.

Covert was ready to toss his first challenge at Stuhler, went to the high side, and was ahead by the fourth lap. Austin Hubbard took Stuhler’s spot by the seventh circuit while J.T. Spence and ninth starting Gerry Bard were chasing.

By the tenth lap, Covert and Hubbard had stretched their lead over Stuhler and were more than four seconds ahead by the 15th round. Covert began through the rear of the field on the 21st lap while Spence had passed Stuhler and was five seconds back. Covert caught some heavy traffic and quickly maneuvered past them, but wasn’t able to shake Hubbard.

Following a caution on lap 31, which regrouped the field, Covert opened more distance on Hubbard in the final laps than he enjoyed the entire race.

“What an honor to race with Gary and with Josh (Richards), Austin, Rick,” Covert said. “This is Memorial Day weekend and we have to thank anyone that fought for our freedom. We worry about racing and others worry about not having freedom. Now that my daughter is in the Air Force and overseas, I told her I was going to try and win. This takes on a whole new meaning for Memorial Day. I want to thank any of the veterans that did that for us so I get to enjoy a little bit of the freedoms that most of the world doesn’t have.”

Spence held to third with Josh Richards, from 14th and Stuhler completing the top five.

	May 28 - Hagerstown Speedway Three State Flyers 1. Jason Covert; 2. Austin Hubbard; 3. J.T. Spence; 4. Josh Richards; 5. Gary Stuhler; 6. Jerry Bard; 7. Dylan Yoder; 8. Rick Eckert; 9. Greg Satterlee; 10. Alan Sagi; 11. Ronnie DeHaven; 12. Matt Parks; 13. C. S. Fitzgerald; 14. Jim Bernheisel; 15. Brian Booze; 16. Devin Friese; 17. Kyle Lear; 18. Roy Deese, Jr.; 19. Ashley Barrett; 20. D.J. Myers; 21. Nick Dickson; 22. Jeremy Miller; 23. Kenny Pettyjohn; 24. Frankie Plessinger; 25. Jamie Lathroum; 26. Scott LeBarron
Kevin Fisher photo