Hurricane Mills, TN – (August 2, 2008) - Thomas Covington took the amatuer motocross nation by surprise over the last two weeks in the 85cc 9 to 11 classes by winning both stock classes at Loretta Lynn’s AMA Championships and the Ponca City NMA National Finals. Over the last two weeks, the Fox Racing clad Covington demonstrated unbelievable consistency by finishing on the podium in every moto and only crashing one time in two weeks of national motos where the best riders in the nation gather to let it all hang out.
“We really trained hard to be consistent this year”, stated Covington. “I really wanted to deliver a championship or two for Kawasaki, Fox Racing and all my other sponsors that have helped me along the way. Being consistent and staying off the ground was one of my main goals this year”, continued Covington. “All the hard work and hours of practice came together over the last two weeks and made it all worth it.”
Going fast did not hurt his chances either. Pro Circuit Racing backed Covington consistently put his Kawasaki KX85 machine in front of the pack and was able to finish no less than 2nd in all his motos at the AMA National Finals. He narrowly missed a third title in the 85cc Mod class by winning the final moto and finishing in second overall missing the title by a single point.
Thomas Covington 2008 National Accomplishments so far:
- Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Champion – 85 (9-11) Stock
- NMA Ponca City Grand National Champion – 85 (9-11) Stock
- Loretta Lynn’s AMA Runner-Up National Champion – 85 (9-11) Mod
- AMA Spring Classic Runner Up (85cc Mod)
- NMA Las Vegas World Mini Finals – Runner-Up Overall 85cc Stock
- GNCC Finals – Third Place Overall
- NMA Grand National Finals Third Place 85cc (9-11) Mod
- Three Moto Wins at Loretta’s
- Three Moto Wins at Ponca City
- Podium Overall Finishes in all 9-11 classes for both Ponca and Loretta’s
- All Top Two finishes in motos at Loretta Lynn’s (Three First and Three Seconds)
- Fell only one time in 15 national motos over the two weeks at Ponca City and Loretta’s
- Awarded Team Green Kawasaki Contract for 2009.
Thomas also secured another year on Kawasaki’s prestigious Monster Energy Team Green, the industry’s best and winningest motocross team. Covington signed on for the 2009 season after the NMA Championships in Ponca City, OK. “Kawasaki is very proud of Thomas and we can’t wait to see him in action in 2009. This kid put us out front all week and really can ride” said Reid Nordin manager of Team Green Racing. “Thomas has really had a great two weeks of racing and I have enjoyed watching him put Team Green on the Podium.”
Thomas lives in Vernon, Alabama with his parents, Mitch and Jamie Covington, along with brothers Alex and Tyler Covington. “I train a lot at home, but I also train a lot down in Georgia at AMX Part with my friends Zach and Chase Bell,” stated Covington. “I get a lot of training from several good teachers like Jeannie Carmichael, Mike Craig and Chuck Bell. When we go to the west coast I like to ride with CJ and Johnny Greaves and Mike Craig because they are all such great racers themselves,” Covington continued. “My dad and Jeannie (Carmichael) mainly have been working with me a lot on the mental side of things for the big nationals. Having focus and positive thoughts when you are on the gate at the big races is a key to winning and is a big part of my program.”
Thomas is helped by the following industry sponsors: Kawasaki, Fox Racing, Monster Energy, Maxima Oils, Fox Goggles, Pro Circuit Racing, The Covington Agency, Dunlop Tires, AMX Park, Too Fast Racing, MCMX Schools, Liquid Performance, Renthal Bars and Chains, Mechanix Wear, PR2 Suspensions, RG3 Suspensions, N-Style Graphics
