(Bill W) Watching rookies learn the ropes at Knoxville can be a painful process. The famous half-mile does not usually smile on newcomers. As the tracks get drier, rookies tend to slip, slide and throw out the anchor, if not worse. Eighteen year old, Dusty Zomer, is an exception to that rule. In just his second full year in a sprint car, and first year racing weekly at Knoxville, the Brandon, SD native sits eighth in the points race in the ultra-competitive 360 class. His run last weekend was his best to date, as he learns the consistency it takes to run at Knoxville. Starting outside row six, he picked off competitors and was the hard-charger in the event, finishing fourth.
Zomer burst on the sprint car scene last year, racing competitively around his South Dakota home. The jump to the sprints came after a successful go-kart career that netted five Grand National championships. Weekly visits were made to Rock Rapids, IA on Friday, Hartford, SD on Saturday, and Huset’s Speedway in his hometown on Sunday night, racing the family sprinter in 2003. The car was powered by a steel block, and Dusty found victory lane once at all three of his regular tracks. The win at Hartford came on “Cheaters” Day, and Zomer says, “Everyone thought we were doing something special, but we just ran our regular setup.”
The youngster finished third in the final Huset’s standings, and garnered Rookie of the Year honors at both the track and with the NMRA. Following his season in the north, Zomer traveled south for some ASCS action in Texas and Arkansas. His ASCS debut went well. Racing in the ASCS season finale at the Devil’s Bowl in Mesquite, TX, Zomer bested 2003 ASCS champion Travis Rilat to the line in the B main before scratching from the main event due to mechanical problems. Riding that confidence, Zomer towed to I-30 Speedway in Little Rock for the prestigious Short Track Nationals. Though he didn’t fare as well, Dusty vows to return this year.
“This is our first year running an aluminum motor,” states Zomer. “We will probably end up running close to 60-70 races.” The Zomer family is definitely putting more miles on the rig this year. Zomer competes at Butler County Speedway in Rising City, NE, on Friday nights when possible. He then tows to Knoxville, before returning home to run Huset’s on Sunday night.
Zomer drew blood again at Huset’s by winning on June 13 from the back of the pack, and as of this writing leads the points standings. “We have two cars ready to go,” says Zomer. “When we get back home we just take this car (Knoxville car) out and put the other one in.” The switch is necessary since Huset’s does not allow aluminum blocks. The team will also pick up some big shows in the area, as well as traveling south after the tracks go silent in the upper midwest.
The South Dakotan likes to hunt and fish in his spare time, but remembers fondly watching the racing at Huset’s. “I grew up watching Danny Lasoski when he dominated in Guy Forbrook’s sprinter.” While boos were prevalent in those days for Lasoski in South Dakota, this youngster was cheering him on. Memories at Knoxville don’t go quite that far back, “The first year I remember coming down, was the first year the backstretch seats were in place.” Enough said.
Dusty is working for the family truck business now (Zomer Truck and Trailer Sales), but plans on enrolling in a Sioux Falls tech school this fall. He would like to thank his parents, sponsors and friends, “Without any of them I wouldn’t be racing sprint cars.”
Joining the family business in sponsoring the Schnee chassis #1z are Bargain Barn Tire Center, T & R Contracting and Meyer Ag Investments. Jimmy Schmidt and John Weseman are the engine builders, with Ben, Troy, TJ, Barry and mom and dad supplying pitside help.
Asked why Knoxville is the place to run, Zomer replies, “The whole aura. To get your name out there, this is the place to be.” If given the choice, Zomer prefers a big track to a bullring. “Things happen so fast here (Knoxville). When I go back home, things seem to happen a lot slower and give you more time to react.” It’s evident that has helped him in his Huset’s campaign. Zomer knows he has stiff competition in the Knoxville Rookie race. Eric Jobe from Kansas City, and veteran Jake Peters are both newcomers sitting ahead of him in the standings. That has not changed his goals, as last week’s finish testifies. “We are still looking at a top five finish. Next year we’ll be aiming for a top three, and who nows? In two or three years, we’d like to move up to the 410s. You never know what could happen or who might give you a ride.” Dusty Zomer is no ordinary rookie.