Story by: Corey Latham ~ corey@RACE22.com

Altamahaw, NC(August 26, 2010) -- Now that the Brett Favre saga is over, we often wonder why legends nearing the end of their respected careers has such a draw on us. Through the years they have delighted the crowd with awe inspiring moves, great plays or terrific drives to the front. More times than not, a lot of the legends go on past their prime and end their careers on a sour note, staying in the game too long, making many remember how they finished, not at what they achieved thru a lifetime of greatness.

60 year-old Barry Beggarly is a legend of all of motorsports in the Southeast, with his career hitting the high mark in the early to middle 90's, winning a National championship and track titles at numerous venues, he at one time was simply the man to beat. He unofficially retired years ago, but this year he has come back to race once again at Ace Speedway, and it just wasn't for "show", he won't be one of the statistics on the bad side, he is once again a winner. As if anybody had an doubt....

After all the controversy from the last race at Ace, all eyes were once again on the top two dogs at the track, Rodney Cook and Dustin Rumley. A meeting was held with the two drivers and track officials before the racing Friday, and while in the Cup world that does the trick, I think it's safe to say that this rivalry still rages on. They had to focus on the task at hand though, and as qualifying concluded, something was achieved that hasn't been done in nine events in a row. Dustin Rumley wasn't on the pole. Last event's winner Jason Payne showed he was coming back solid and took the top spot, with Rumley a close second and Brad Kurth, Beggarly and Cook completing the top five.

After a invert of the top four drivers putting Beggarly on the pole, it was time to go racing. In previous races this year, Beggarly has been fast, but it seemed that his car would never "come in" until it had about 20 or so laps on it. Not the case on this night, as Beggarly would jump out in the lead and takes off from the field. Rumley and Cook pin Payne to the outside and then Cook starts to pressure Rumley for third as the crowd comes to their feet. Would this be another wild and crazy night between the two rivals? Would this be the week when it all comes to a head?

The action is halted before anybody can make a move at lap five for the spinning car of Chris Comstock, a dirt modified driver from New York driving for Cook making his first ever appearance on asphalt. Cook and Turner take the outside lane option for the restart and we are off again with Beggarly once again jumping out front. Beggarly would show them all night that he was the king of restarts.

Cook would take advantage of the front row starting spot and fall into second behind Beggarly, with Kurth getting the pressure from Robert Turner and Rumley before relinquishing the spot to Turner on lap seven, and Rumley following through the hole a lap later. The Cook/Rumley rivalry would have to wait till another time on this night, as the front two were gone, but that story was soon forgot as the race progressed.

While Beggarly and Cook were leaving the field, the middle of the pack was getting pretty wild. Kurth had hit pit road on a caution for adjustments before halfway, and was in a torrid battle with Jason Payne,Thomas Scott, Dean Fogleman, Scotty Warren and John Moore who was back after missing a few races with engine woes. Moore had his engine running in fine fashion, but the handling was not to be found as he chased the car up the track losing numerous positions. He said what all racers know after the race, "It may be the same track you always race, but if your not here every week it's hard to come back and have the handle like everyone else."

Beggarly and Cook were putting on a show at the front of the field, Cook would make a run and Beggarly would get up on the wheel and put a few car lengths in between them each time. Everyone was wondering if Cook was saving a little for the end, but all the action was halted once more for a caution on lap 57.

On this restart, Turner, the winningest driver at Ace Speedway, would try his hand on the outside beside Beggarly. Turner would anticipate the start and hang with Beggarly on the outside for two laps before Beggarly would slip in front. The next lap Turner gets terribly loose off turn four and Cook slips by for second and Rumley comes up to Tuner's door for third but Turner would recover and hold the spot.

Beggarly would have to endure one more restart on lap 62, as Booby Griffin spins trying to stay off of Dean Fogleman and Coy Hedrick piles in hard with Mike Chambers getting some of the aftermath. Once again Turner would try his luck to the outside, and once again his car would not cooperate with him.

Beggarly makes another great restart that would make Ron Hornaday smile, and Turner gets really sideways and bounces off the wall in front of the whole field before they even get to the green flag. For the next six laps Turner would do all he can while Rumley gives shots to the rear until he finally passes on lap 69. Meanwhile, Beggarly and Cook were happy to see it in their mirror, as they were driving away.

We get to five to go and the goosebumps start to come up on nearly everyone at the track. Fans were on their feet, the teams were cheering, everybody had wanted to see this all year, the only thing that could stop it from happening was the track and ASA National point leader Cook, who was inching ever closer. Beggarly would get sideways off turn four with two to go, but Cook could not capitalize as Beggarly regained control and pulled away again.

Beggarly would take the checkered flag and it became one of the more special moments in the history of the speedway. He had not raced there in 14 years until this season, when he left in 1996 he left on top as the track champion, and he was back on familiar ground, in victory lane. The fans were happy, the track was happy, I was happy, even the drivers he beat were happy as could be. Even Cook said himself, "This is like a win to me, there isn't anybody else I would rather lose to". That mentality might change this week, guess what fellas, the black #82 is coming back once more, last week may just be a taste of what's to come.

Results:
1 - Barry Beggarly #82
2 - Rodney Cook #14
3 - Dustin Rumley #88
4 - Robert Turner #13
5 - Jason Payne #9
6 - Brad Kurth #9
7 - John Moore #4
8 - Scotty Warren #29
9 - Thomas Scott #8
10 - Dean Fogleman #7
11 - Bobby Griffin #85
12 - Chris Comstock #22
13 - Mike Chambers #27
14 - Coy Hedrick #44
15 - Jason Turner #7