Story by: Corey Latham ~ corey@RACE22.com

Altamahaw, NC(August 15, 2009) -- The season at Ace Speedway this year has been exciting to say the least. Between Speedy Faucette, Rodney Cook, Dustin Rumley and Robert Turner, there has been something to talk about each and every week, whether it was racing or controversy, they have made something happen. This week was one of the biggest fields of the season for the LMSC's, 17 cars, so surely this would be a recipe of something special. It was special, but only to Speedy Faucette, as the point leader went back to his winning ways picking up win #7 on the year in dominating fashion.

At some tracks you'll show up and out of the blue cars will be there form everywhere. This was the case Friday as we had newcomers Doug Mate from Ohio, Ryan Rust from Florida, Craig Moore from Orange County Speedway, some drivers that have sporadically visited the track this year and two Limited division cars moving up to run with the big boys. Noticeably absent was the 2008 champion Dean Fogleman, 4th place point runner Robert Turner, and Ryan Wilson. Turner was at the track, but had motor problems a few weeks ago, and is just now getting the car back together, he should be back next week. Wilson was testing at Motor Mile Friday in preparation for Saturday's race and may not return to Ace this year. Fogleman was the big question mark, as he is the defending champion, but 2009 has been anything but kind to him, so missing a race or two would be understandable.

In qualifying, it was once again the speed demon Faucette winning the pole by a mere three-hundredths of a second over Brad Kurth, who had his best effort of the year. Rumley, Orange County regular Craig Moore and Jason Payne filling out the top 5. As it goes at Ace, there is always a redraw after qualifying, Faucette drew five putting Payne and Moore on the front row.

At the drop of the green flag, the newcomer Moore asserted himself at the front of the field in front of Payne. He looked strong in the beginning, but it was only a matter of time before the 3 "big dogs" started making their way to the front, as Rumley, Faucette and Cook started to pick their way through. Lap 3 to be exact, as Faucette had already disposed of Kurth and was attached to Rumley's bumper, the two make their way around Payne for 2nd, as a lap later Cook gets by Kurth also.

10 laps. that was all that Moore got to enjoy his lead, as Rumley and Faucette blister by to take the top spot. It looked in the opening laps as if Rumley had just a tick better car than Speedy, but he was just waiting for Rumley to clear the way for him to the front before making his move. Once the cars were disposed of and put behind them, Faucette began his assault on the top spot. Rumley was able to hold him off for a few laps, but at lap 15 it was all over, Speedy worked to the inside and by for the top spot.

The racing behind them was pretty good though, as the leaders at times looked to be driving through an obstacle course of lapped cars. Some people had different agendas, as was the case with Kevin Parker and Joseph Tucker trying to wad each other up for a few laps, or Calvin Brooks, Coy Hedrick, Thomas Scott and Doug Mate running side-by-side, all of it made it interesting in the lapping process for the leaders. Through all this mess, Cook was finally able to dispose of Payne for 3rd, as both Cook and Payne had gotten by Moore in one corner.

All these cars, all over the track, and no caution, who would of thought it would happen? It looked as if it was going to go clean and green till the end, with Faucette running away with it until Craig Moore spins of turn 4 to bring out the first of two cautions of the night. A lap later Hedrick spins in 4 also to bring out the final caution of the evening.
 

This was it, this was Rumley's final chance if he had something for Faucette to get the lead, a 25 lap shootout. It wasn't even close, as Rumley had his hands full with the car behind him, the #14 of Cook, Faucette drove off into the distance. Cook had been a question mark also, it was hard to gage if he had something for the leaders or not, as he was deeper in lapped traffic and by the time he cleared them, the leaders were gone. But not he made his move after pestering the rear bumper of Rumley for a few laps, and muscled his way inside going into turn 3 to take second. But not so fast, as Rumley set the move up perfectly, doing a "crossover" move to take the spot right back. Rumley would hold him off the the checkereds, with John Moore making the move around Payne in the late going to move himself into 4th in the rundown.

The battle up front wasn't much challenge, and there was no controversy on this night, and by Ace standards it was rather uneventful. But that is the funny thing with this track, usually so much goes on, on a calm night the racing is still better than most tracks around. Faucette is once again on top of his game and as he said two weeks ago, his car "slows down during the hot, dry summer, and picks back up when it starts to cool off".

Well, It's the middle of August, and hotter than fire outside, Rumley had been the car to beat as of late, but Faucette made it look easy Friday night. And, he says his car will only get faster as the temps go down. Better start adjusting a little extra on those cars fellas, could be a rough Fall for you.

Unofficial Results:
1. Speedy Faucette
2. Dustin Rumley
3. Rodney Cook
4. John Moore
5. Jason Payne
6. Brad Kurth
7. Joseph Tucker
8. Kevin Parker
9. Ryan Rust
10. Thomas Scott
11. Doug Mate
12. Mike Chambers
13. Robert Zook
14. Calvin Brooks
15. Coy Hedrick
16. Craig Moore
17. Patrick Coleman