CONCORD, N.C. In 12 years vying for a points championship with the American Sprint Car Series National Tour, Matt Covington has finished in every spot inside the top five except one.

This year, hes focused on finally claiming the gold.

The 34-year-old from Glenpool, Okla., is headed east to Florida to kick off his 13th full-time season with the National Tour this ThursdaySaturday, Jan. 30Feb. 1, at Volusia Speedway Park.

In his lengthy career with ASCS, Covington has finished the National Tour fifth place in points on two occasions, fourth place twice, third place three times and was runner-up to Jason Martin in 2023.

In the last four seasons alone, Covington hasnt missed the podium in the championship standings. But that hasnt satisfied him. He wants more wins and the all-new Emmett Hahn Trophy as champion of the nations premier 360 Sprint Car organization.

Were good at consistency, Covington said. We seem to be, over the 12 years [Ive raced the National Tour], something Ive always been able to do is be consistent. Thats why weve been second and third a lot. Weve just got to be able to win more races, is what it comes down to.

Winning one, two or three races aint enough. We need to win five, six races and still hold some of that consistency, and then well be right there.

His consistency has been solid over the years, and 2024 was no exception. He was one of only two drivers to qualify for 31 of 32 full-field main events and totaled 29 top-10 finishes  most of any driver. However, he went winless on the National Tour for the first time since 2016 the longest such stretch in his career  but knows the steps necessary to get back to victory lane in 2025.

Were real close, and we think we have a shot; maybe thisll be our year, Covington said. Were gonna keep doing things like weve been doing it. Weve been good at consistency; we just need to be able to seal the deal more times.

Last year, we had opportunities to win a handful of nights, and stuff just didnt go our way. Weve gotta clean that up, and then I think weve got as good a shot as anybody.

Recently, Covington has been focused on improving his personal health. He underwent surgery to repair an arm injury in November and has since recovered, leaving him in a new, positive state-of-mind going into the new season.

It takes an ultra-focus to win a sprint car race, Covington said. It doesnt even have to be a National Tour race, its all of them. Its 90 percent a mind game out there, and if the arm hurts a little bit or this or that, got stuff going on at home, it takes away from getting it done. Maybe those things affected me. I dont like not winning a race the whole year.

As one of the National Tours longest continually running drivers, Covington has seen ASCS grow and change throughout the 2010s into the 2020s. He expressed positive sentiments about the Tours new ownership under World Racing Group and noted how it has afforded he and his fellow teams several new resources.

The biggest difference Ive seen from the last handful of years until now is the manpower, Covington said. I think it gives us a lot more media presence. Weve got a photographer, weve got a media person theres a guy for everything.