Vernie Covert (Born in October of 1941 in Topeka, Kansas, Vernie Covert raced from 1958 to 1977 driving jalopies, hoodoo wagons (later called super modifieds) and late models. While also being a car owner, builder, mechanic, and sponsor. With support aplenty from several family members, and friends in the racing fraternity. That time period spanned three decades, and six presidents, but almost ended that first season of competition when Covert suffered a terrible brain injury on September 5th at Shawnee Speedway! The 16-year-old chauffeur was just a few weeks away from winning Rookie of the Year at Shawnee Speedway before the accident that almost ended his life as well! Covert stated that he “was unconscious for 11 days”, and when he awoke remembered nothing. Unfortunately, the brain injury was severe enough that Vernie was an outpatient at the Menninger Clinic for a year, slowly but surely getting better after it was detected that bone fragments (from when his skull was pushed back out) were causing most of the issues. Over that period Vernie would get married to “Ruthie” and start to work at the Goodyear tire plant. Vernie never stopped going to the track during that time however, and when he was in good enough shape, returned to race again against the wishes of many friends and family members in the early 1960’s. But thankfully never suffered another serious accident. Coverts motto for racing had always been “give it hell, and turn left” something Vernie learned from great drivers, including Topeka IMCA National Champ, and Knoxville Nationals Champ Thad Dosher. Vernie really “gave it hell” in 1970 racing with the IMCA Late Model Stock Car division to finish seventh place in points with his underfunded team. Over his career Vernie would also race in seven states that included Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, (where he set a track record), Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California. Before his retirement from racing, and now one of greatest accomplishments in the sport, being inducted into the CARB HOF! )
