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Dave Seay
RICHMOND, Va. (May 1) - Jason Covert of York Haven, PA had stated that he felt he had left something on the track during the April 11th World of Outlaws Late Model race at Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, VA. This time, Covert left nothing on the table in dominating the 40 lap Super Late Model feature of the Paul Sawyer Memorial. Covert set fast time in qualifying and then led flag to flag, holding off Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, PA over the last two laps for the $5000 victory.
"We have worked really hard on this new Rocket chassis, we did some testing at Lernerville and applied it to here and the car just came to life. I love this place, the track was just immaculate, you could race all over it," commented Covert in victory lane.
Rounding out the top five were Jeremy Miller, Ricky Elliott, Tim McCreadie and Josh Richards.
In the Super Late Model 40 lap feature Tim Fuller of Watertown, NY was scheduled to lead the 25 car field to green but was unable to answer the bell with mechanical issues. That left Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY and Jason Covert of York Haven, PA leading the field to green. Heading into turn 3 the race for the lead got three wide with Covert, McCreadie and Jeremy Miller. At the line Covert emerged with the lead over McCreadie by inches, that's about as close as it would get the rest of the night as Covert began to pull away from the field.
On lap 5 the races first caution came out for a spin by Jared Powell. Also going to pit road during the caution was Josh Richards for a tire change. On the restart McCreadie went to the high side riding the cushion looking to take over the top spot. Covert was able pull away leaving McCreadie to deal with Miller for second.
McCreadie worked the cushion as Miller worked the inside groove, racing side by side to the line with McCreadie holding the spot each time by inches. On lap 13 the races second caution of the night came out again for a spinning Powell, this time Covert came close to getting caught up in the spin.
On the restart Covert once again pulled away again leaving McCreadie and Miller to battle for second. By lap 16 Covert had gone on to stretch his lead to a full straight away over the battle for second. With all the action at the front keeping everyone occupied Josh Richards had managed to work his way to sixth and looking for more. On lap 21 the battle for fourth got three wide with Brent Robinson, David Williams and Richards. Richards would emerge from the battle with fourth with Ricky Elliott following to fifth.
With Covert working traffic all eyes were on the battle for second as McCreadie and Miller put on a side by side show for second. Lap after lap the two swapped the second position with MCreadie working the high side and Miller on the bottom. On lap 32 Miller finally wrestled the spot away for good.
On lap 35 caution came out for a spinning G.R. Smith closing the field back up on covert for the restart. With the green flag back out McCreadie tried the outside of Miller in turn 1 but couldn't make the pass. Taking fourth on the restart was Elliott. On lap 37 Elliott went after McCreadie for third only to be turned back by the races final caution.
On the races final restart Miller tried to get inside Covert heading into turn 1 but Covert was able to turn back the attempt for the lead. Behind the leaders Elliott was able to get inside McCreadie for third. Covert would hold off Miller over the last two laps to take home the victory. Rounding out the top five were Jeremy Miller, Ricky Elliott, Tim McCreadie and Josh Richards.
Keith Jackson and Josh Richards picked up heat race wins.
SUPER LATE MODEL 40 LAP FEATURE (31 CARS):
Time Trial (Top 12 in A Main, Top 6 Redraw) -- 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Brent Robinson, Smithfield; 3. Tim McCreadie, Watertwn, N.Y.; 4. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, Pa.; 5. Jamie Lathroum, Mechanicsville, Md.; 6. Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.; 7. Austin Hubbard, Laurel, Del.; 8. David Williams, Avenue, Md.; 9. Ricky Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 10. Booper Bare, Rockbridge Baths; 11. D.J. Meyers, Greencastle, Pa.; 12. Kenny Schrader, Mooresville, N.C.; 13. Darryl Hills, Great Mills, Md.; 14. Jared Powell, Charlottesville; 15. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 16. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W. Va.; 17. Al Shawver Jr., Hampsted, Md.; 18. Donald Lingo Jr., Millsboro, Del.; 19. Tyler Hershey, Mercersburg, Pa.; 20. Roland Mann, Chaptico, Md.; 21. Ronnie Dehaven Jr., Winchester; 22. Devin Friese, Chambersburg, Pa.; 23. Scott Cross, Centreville, Md.; 24. Billy Tucker, King George; 25. Dean Guy, Clements, Md.; 26. Anthony Kincaid, Hayes; 27. Rob Schirmer, Ellendale, Del.; 28. Matt Quade, Mechanicsville, Md.; 29. Ross Robinson, Georgetown, Del.; 30. Chris Cromer, Charllottesviile; 31. G.R. Smith, Cornelius, N.C.; 32. Tim Fuller, Watertwon, N.Y..
Heat 1 (Transfer Top 6) -- 1. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 2. Darryl Hills, Great Mills, Md.; 3. Scott Cross, Centreville, Md.; 4. Al Shawver Jr., Hampsted, Md.; 5. Rob Schirmer, Ellendale, Del.; 6. Ronnie Dehaven Jr., Winchester; 7. Ross Robinson, Georgetown, Del.; 8. Tyler Hershey, Mercersburg, Pa.; 9. Dean Guy, Clements, Md.; 10. G.R. Smith, Cornelius, N.C..
Heat 2 (Transfer top 6) -- 1. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W. Va.; 2. Roland Mann, Chaptico, Md.; 3. Jared Powell, Charlottesville; 4. Devin Friese, Chambersburg, Pa.; 5. Donald Lingo Jr., Millsboro, Del.; 6. Anthony Kincaid, Hayes; 7. Matt Quade, Mechanicsville, Md.; 8. Chris Cromer, Charllottesviile; 9. Billy Tucker, King George.
A-Main -- 1. Jason Covert, York Haven, Pa.; 2. Jeremy Miller, Gettysburg, Pa.; 3. Ricky Elliott, Seaford, Del.; 4. Tim McCreadie, Watertwn, N.Y.; 5. Josh Richards, Shinnston, W. Va.; 6. Booper Bare, Rockbridge Baths; 7. Brent Robinson, Smithfield; 8. Austin Hubbard, Laurel, Del.; 9. Devin Friese, Chambersburg, Pa.; 10. David Williams, Avenue, Md.; 11. Jamie Lathroum, Mechanicsville, Md.; 12. Darryl Hills, Great Mills, Md.; 13. Roland Mann, Chaptico, Md.; 14. Rob Schirmer, Ellendale, Del.; 15. Keith Jackson, Odenton, Md.; 16. Anthony Kincaid, Hayes; 17. Kenny Schrader, Mooresville, N.C.; 18. Donald Lingo Jr., Millsboro, Del.; 19. Scott Cross, Centreville, Md.; 20. G.R. Smith, Cornelius, N.C.; 21. Ronnie Dehaven Jr., Winchester; 22. Jared Powell, Charlottesville; 23. Al Shawver Jr., Hampsted, Md.; 24. D.J. Meyers, Greencastle, Pa.; DNS: Tim Fuller, Watertwon, N.Y.
FAST TIME: Jason Covert - 17.587 seconds, 102.348mph.
It looked as if Duane Howard of Oley, PA was going to pull off a clean sweep of the 2nd Annual Paul Sawyer Memorial presented by Thurston Spring Service, Inc. at Bill sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, VA. Howard started out by setting a new track record, then winning his heat race and in the feature looked to be on cruise control. But Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, NY had different ideas on how the night should end.
Sheppard, who finished second in last year's event, methodically worked his way to the front taking the lead from Howard on lap 39 of the 60 lap event. Sheppard then survived last lap attempt for the lead by Howard to claim the $10,000 top prize.
"The competition here was extremely tough, it took me a while to find the right groove, but once I did I was able to get past Howard and then hold him off for the win. I have to thank the Sawyer's for putting on such a great event, this track and facility is awesome," commented a very happy Sheppard in victory lane.
Rounding out the top five were Duane Howard, Brett Hearn, Steve Paine and Billy Decker.
Two twenty year olds led the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRtcar Series field to green for the 2nd Annual Paul Sawyer Memorial. Josh Richards and Billy Pauch Jr. barreled into turn one side by side with Richards coming away with the top spot.
On lap 3 the races first of eight cautions came out for a spinning Stewart Friesen. On the restart Richards pulled away by five car lengths. On the next circuit Duane Howard took second from Pauch and set out to reel in the leader. On lap 8 Howard was close enough to dive inside Richards heading into turn 4, taking the lead at the line.
Once out front Howard began to pull away when on lap 11 caution fell once again for a blown motor on the Jeff Brownell #29 Bicknell. On the restart led Richards, Dale Planck, Brett Hearn, Matt Sheppard and the rest of the field to green. Out of turn 4 it got five wide for position with caution coming out for a spin by Planck that collected Richards.
On the restart Howard once again pulled away in his #4 BPG sponsored Troyer. On lap 13 the battle was for fifth as Billy Pauch drove under 15 year old Larry Wight for the spot. On lap 26 Sheppard used heavy traffic to get third from Hearn in turn 4. On lap 35 Hearn was looking to take back the spot only to have Sheppard slam the door on the attempt.
Sheppard continued his march to the front catching Howard on lap 37. On lap 38 Sheppard finally got his #9s Advanced Lubrication Specialties Bicknell to the inside of Howard taking the lead at the line by inches. Once out front Sheppard began to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field, holding a four car length advantage until caution would fall for the final time on lap 55.
On the restart Sheppard was unable to shake Howard as the two raced into turn 1. Howard used every inch of track in search of a way around the leader. On lap 58 it looked as if Howard may have found the line to take the lead but Sheppard closed the door on Howard's advances to go on to take the $10,000 victory. Rounding out the top five were Duane Howard, Brett Hearn, Steve Paine and Billy Decker.
Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway returns to action Friday May 9th and will host Mom's Night Out with all moms and grandmas getting in free. See the Victory Lap Late Model, Truckin Thunder Sportsman, New Generation Racing Sprint Car and Limited Stock divisions. Come experience the raw, pure excitement that is dirt racing!
Competitor gates for Friday, May 9th will open at 4pm with spectator gates opening at 5pm. On track activities will begin at 7pm with hot laps. Divisions scheduled to race on Friday May 9th: Victory Lap Late Models (35 Laps); Truckin Thunder Sportsman (25 Laps); New Generation Racing Sprint Cars (25 Laps); and the VMS Limited Stocks (20 Laps). All divisions will run Hot Lap Time Trials and Features.
Adult admission is just $10, Senior and Military $8, Students 13 -17 yrs old $7, Children 7 - 12 yrs old $4 and Children 6 and under free. The Speedway offers a Family Pack for two adults and two children 12 and under for only $20. Also check our website for discount coupons.
Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track affiliate, is a ½ mile dirt oval track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads area.
To learn more about Bill Sawyer's Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2008 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track's web site at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223
RACE RESULTS FOR PAUL SAWYER MEMORIAL presented by THURSTON SPING SERVICE MAY 1, 2008:
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTcar 60 LAP FEATURE (48 CARS):
1-9s-Matt Sheppard; 2-4-Duane Howard; 3-20-Brett Hearn; 4-7x-Steve Paine; 5-91-Billy Decker; 6-84-Gary Tomkins; 7-98h-Jimmy Phelps; 8-99L-Larry Wight; 9-1w-Billy Pauch; 10-85-Wade Hedrickson; 11-27J-Danny Johnson; 12-15x-Billy Pauch Jr.; 13-71-David VanHorn Jr.; 14-14-Rich Laubach; 15-3-Justin Haers; 16-FX1-Frankie Caprara; 17-14J-Alan Johnson; 18-77x-Dale Planck; 19-20R-Josh Richards; 20-99-Ryan Phelps; 21-79-Mike Storms; 22-39w-Steven Downs; 23-357-Stewart Friesen; 24-49-Billy Dunn; 25-19-Tim Fuller; 26-6-Pat O'Brien; 27-43-Jimmy Horton IV; 28-42B-Kevin Bates; 29-777-Kevin Bolland; 30-29-Jeff Brownell Jr.; DNS-29H-Kenny Wallace.
FAST TIME: Duane Howard - 18.056 seconds, 99.690mph. (New Track Record)
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