PETERSEN MEDIA
Back in action with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Friday, Matt Covington scored a fifth place finish at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park before a sub par performance at the Royal Purple Raceway with the Gulf South Region on Saturday night.
Taking advantage of his outside front row starting spot in his heat race, Covington got the jump over Bean Elliot, and set sail aboard his T&L Foundry/Triple X/Winters machine.
Though Johnny Herrera challenged him late, Covington would hang on to the lead, and qualify for the top-eight redraw.
Pulling the number four pill, Covington lined his Brodix/C.G. Martin Company/Factory 1 Racing machine up in the second row for the 30-lap feature event.
Staying in the fourth spot when the feature went green, Covington applied early pressure on Johnny Herrera, who had snuck past him on the start.
Holding his own against the best drivers in the business, Covington ran comfortably in the fourth spot throughout the race, until a resurgent Jason Johnson took over the fourth spot, after rallying from an early spin.
Covington would however, hang on to the fifth place finish.
“We had a great night overall,” he said. “These National shows are tough, and any time you can score a top-five during one is an accomplishment.”
Things however, took a turn during regional action on Saturday night at the Royal Purple Raceway.
“We chased our car all night, and never really got going,” he said.
Starting third in his heat race, the outside lane got the jump, and he slipped back to the fourth spot.
Struggling a bit, Covington held his fourth spot, which would ultimately put him in the 18th starting position in the feature.
Watching the track, and looking over their car, the Covington Racing team made a few changes prior to the feature, hoping they would help get the car moving forward.
During the feature event, he could never seem to get momentum on his side as he fought his car, and ultimately ended up with a 14th place finish.
“Saturday was just one of those night’s,” he said. “We threw everything we could at it, and we still strugged.”
Matt and his Covington Racing team would like to thank T&L Foundry, Triple X Chassis, 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, and Schoenfeld Headers for their support in 2013.
2013 BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-6, Wins-0, Top 5’s-2, Top 10’s-3
ON TAP: Matt and his team will return to action this coming Saturday night at the Kennedale Speedway Park.
STAY CONNECTED: For all the latest news of Matt Covington, visit his website, www.mattcovingtonracing.com, like him on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/