COLUMBUS, Miss. (Nov. 11) — Covy Parsons of Iuka, Miss., has turned many laps in his 602 Late Model Sportsman machine during his time in Crate Racin’ USA Weekly Racing Series competition, but the young driver enjoyed a new experience during a recently-completed Newsome Raceway Parts Crate Racing USA Dirt Late Model Series weekend at 3/8-mile Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.
No, Parsons did not compete in the full-fendered Late Model division that highlighted the $10,000-to-win weekend for Chevrolet Performance 604-powered machines. He was in his usual 602 Late Model Sportsman ride for a pair of events, but parked next to it was a recently-purchased Crate Racin’ USA Modified Sportsman car that Parsons and a partner recently acquired from fellow racer Brock Hall. Parsons drove it to a highly-respectable fifth-place finish in the open-wheeled division’s feature event, marking his first time ever in one of those cars.
“I’ve got a buddy—John Paul Waldrop—and he’s been wanting to get into these Modified Sportsman cars,” Parsons said. “We found one that Brock [Hall] had for sale, and we went in together to buy it. Tonight was the first time I’d ever driven one. We started seventh in the feature and improved two spots, and also ran pretty good in the heat race. I was happy with it, and those cars are fun to drive.”
Parsons, who’s plenty familiar with competing in full-fendered Late Model-type cars, found the fender-less brigade to be an interesting change from a driver’s perspective.
“The open-wheel cars are definitely different,” he said. “I can drive my Late Model a whole lot straighter, but this one tonight I couldn’t drive it straight. You have to drive it bent sideways all the time. That was the biggest difference I noticed, but it’s definitely a fun car to drive. It’s a very popular division, and it seems like everybody wants one. My dad has even been wanting me to get one."
Parsons’ ’22 season was blessed with three victories in the 602 Late Model Sportsman class at three different facilities: Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., ECM Speedway in Bremen, Ala., and Crossroads MotorSport Speedway in Corinth, Miss., which is located near his home base.
While Parsons enjoyed his new experience, he said there’s no immediate plans to completely switch divisions. He’ll drive the car a few times during the ’23 season, but firmer plans have not yet been established.
“Naw, I’ll probably race the car some more next year and we’re all still talking about it, but I’m still kinda partial to my Late Model,” he said.
Article Credit: Brian McLeod