Most drivers who finish runner-up in the championship standings would not be considered in need of a “comeback.” But for three-time Ace Speedway Late Model champion Dustin Rumley, starting the 2015 season with a commanding victory was just what he needed after a winless 2014 season.
Rumley bested a 10-car Late Model field that included defending champion RD Smith, 2014 race winners Dennis Holdren, Thomas Scott and Brad Kurth, veteran racers Gary Causey and Dean Fogleman, and returning Ace Speedway regular John Moore.
Holdren led the field to green after pacing the final round of practice and setting fast time in qualifying. Two major contenders fell out on lap one, as Causey slid up from the inside lane into Smith, sending Smith into the outside wall and bringing an early end to both racers’ nights.
That was the only caution the entire race, and the ensuing 99-lap green flag marathon tested long-run speed and driver stamina.
Holdren looked dominant for the first 50 laps, gapping second place Rumley by as much as half a straightaway. Scott settled quietly into third place while Kurth, Fogleman and Moore jostled for fourth, fifth and sixth position.
Then just after the halfway mark, Rumley started creeping up toward Holdren. Rumley’s black-and-red #88 stalked the black-and-blue #2 for about five laps before Rumley made a clean pass of Holdren on lap 65.
At first it looked like Holdren wasn’t going to let Rumley get away, even pulling back to his rear bumper during some tense interactions with lapped traffic. But Rumley’s car just didn’t fade, and he was able to pull away in the final stages to take his first victory in over a year.
After the race, Rumley heaped praise on his team and his new chassis, saying he had hoped for, but not expected, such quick success.
“We had the whole combination,” said Rumley. “I was surprised. For the first race with it, we the bugs worked out pretty good.”
Holdren settled for second place, followed by Scott and Fogleman. Moore rounded out the top 5 in an impressive return to action after missing all but the first race last season.
