
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 8, 1990                   TAG: 9007080151
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

RUMLEY GETS BACK ON TRACK AT PCS

By his own admission, Johnny Rumley was embarrassed last week at Pulaski County Speedway. He has vowed never to let it happen again.

Rumley, who was lapped while still running for the first time in his career when Ronnie Thomas passed him last week, held off the Christiansburg driver for 50 laps Saturday night to win the Late Model Stock portion of the Mitchener's Chevrolet 200.

"I went home and did some serious thinking last week," Rumley said. "That is the most embarrassed I have ever been in all my years of racing.

"You don't know how good this feels."

It looked as if Thomas might have a shot at Rumley during the race's final laps, but Ricky Seay lost his engine, bringing out a caution flag two laps from the finish. Thomas said the caution hurt him.

"Rumley is good on those take-offs, and I knew that," Thomas said. "I think we would have been better off without the caution."

Rumley said he didn't want the caution, either.

"I had pretty much figured what I was going to do on those last two laps to hold him off," Rumley said. "But on a restart you never know. Fortunately, everything went well. This has just been a really great weekend." (Rumley also won Friday night at Lonesome Pine Speedway in Coeburn.)

Roanoker Tink Reedy edged Floyd's Jeff Agnew for third in Saturday's Late Model Stock race.

Jay Hedgecock, known better as a car builder, proved he is a driver as well in the SMART Modified race.

Hedgecock, the engine builder for Winston Cup star Richard Petty, took the lead on lap 94 and never was threatened as he roared to victory in the 150-lap race.

Bassett's Johnny Bryant held off Frank Fleming, who led the races first 73 laps, for second.

The race was stopped on lap 73 because of an accident with the cleanup truck. After a blown engine, the track safety truck lost the Stay-Dry spreader, dumping the chemical all over the second turn and causing a red flag for 17 minutes.

Mason Ayres returned to victory lane in the Street Stock race, slamming the door on hard-charging Mark Akers coming off the final turn. Kenny Montgomery was third.

Charlie Smith was the winner in the Mini Stock race. Smith drove to a seven car-length victory over Terry Hanks. Tommy Cline was third.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB