Mechanicsburg, PA – (March 30, 2012) – Greg Hodnett of Thomasville wired the field for the 47th Williams Grove Speedway win of his carer in the 25-lap sprint car feature Friday night while Jason Covert of York Haven did the same in the 25-lap late model main.
Both drivers started on the front row of their respective events.
Covert’s victory was the fourth of his career at the oval.
Hodnett was chased by fellow front row starter Cory Haas for the first 17 laps of the Lawrence Chevrolet sprint car feature before defending track champion Lance Dewease took over the spot albeit a straightaway behind the leader.
Haas later caused the only caution flag of the race when he came up lame with a flat tire with just two laps to go.
Under the caution, eighth starter Daryn Pittman pulled pitside as well, also coming up with a flat.
Dewease proved no challenge for Hodnett on the restart as the Tennessee native cruised to the victory, his second overall of the young 2012 season.
“I’m glad we got to get it in,” said Hodnett of the race’s completion as rain fell in victory lane.
The feature was delayed in getting started to begin with when a quick-hitting shower forced the cars back into the pit area just as they were lining up.
Dewease was second on the night followed by Fred Rahmer, Brian Montieth and Brian Leppo.
Sixth through 10th went to Frank Cozze, 14th starter Chad Layton, Doug Esh, Justin Henderson and Don Kreitz Jr.
Heats for the 33-car field went to Cozze, Mark Smith, Danny Dietrich and Dewease with Logan Schuchart scoring the consolation race.
Covert was never heeded on his way to the late model main checkers.
However the race for second was a good one between polesitter Jeremy Miller and third starter Nick Dickson.
Dickson secured the spot with 14 down only to see Miller reclaim it two circuits later and then holding on to the finish.
Covert entered lapped traffic on the 14th lap and worked it the remaining distance of the non-stop affair.
“This is my favorite place in the world,” Covert said during post race interviews of Williams Grove.
“It means more to me to win here than pretty much anywhere.”
It was his 44th career win with his current No. 43A team.
Miller was second followed by Dickson, Greg Satterlee and Derek Byler.
Sixth through 10th went to Jamie Lathroum, Gary Stuhler, Mike Lupfer, Scott Haus and Jeff Rine. Twin consolations for the 38 cars in competition went to Kenny Pettyjohn and Gene Knaub.
Williams Grove Speedway returns to action on April 6 with the Lawrence Chevrolet 410 sprints and the second show of the season for the Tool Shed of America 358 sprint cars.
March 30, 2012 Feature Finishes:
410 sprint cars, 25 laps: 1.Greg Hodnett, 2. Lance Dewease, 3. Fred Rahmer, 4. Brian Montieth, 5. Brian Leppo, 6. Frank Cozze, 7. Chad Layton, 8. Doug Esh, 9. Justin Henderson, 10. Don Kreitz Jr., 11. Mark Smith, 12. David Gravel, 13. Steve Buckwalter, 14. Logan Schuchart, 15. Brent Marks, 16. Rick Lafferty, 17. Ryan Smith, 18. Derek Sell, 19. Daryn Pittman, 20. Cory Haas, 21. Mike Erdley, 22. Danny Dietrich, 23. Aaron Ott, 24. Davey Sammons
Late models, 25 laps: 1. Jason Covert, 2. Jeremy Miller, 3. Nick Dickson, 4. Greg Satterlee, 5. Derek Byler, 6. Jamie Lathroum, 7. Gary Stuhler, 8. Mike Lupfer, 9. Scott Haus, 10. Jeff Rine, 11. Daryl Hills, 12. Gene Knaub, 13. Kenny Moreland, 14. Jerry Bard, 15. Brian Booze, 16. Scott Lebarron, 17. Kenny Pettyjohn, 18. David Williams, 19. Dale Hollidge, 20. Rusty Sites, 21. Bryan Bernheisel, 22. Jim Bernheisel, 23. Devin Friese, 24. Pancho Lawler