Dudney Showcases Potential in Return to Racing
In a highly anticipated return, Texas native Dudney dominated the first moto of the Ironman round, emerging victorious with a five-second lead over competitor Temmerman. This win marks a significant rebound for Dudney, who has faced a challenging year filled with injuries and adjustments after moving from Team Green Kawasaki to the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad.
After a successful performance in the B classes at last year’s Loretta Lynn’s, Dudney transitioned to the A class but has struggled with injuries. He sustained a significant setback at the Daytona SMX Next in March, where he was landed on during qualifying. “I broke my humerus twice,” Dudney revealed, recalling the demanding recovery process involving two surgeries within months.
Despite setbacks, Dudney’s resilience shone through as he returned to competition at Ironman. He secured a 1-8 finish, placing fifth overall. “Overall, my day at Ironman was really good,” he stated. “We were fastest in qualifying and won the first moto. The second moto was a little rough, but we got through it and know what we need to work on now.”
Dudney, racing under the number 400 for his first pro events, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming pro nationals, emphasizing a learning mindset. “I’m really excited to be racing a pro National this weekend,” he said, indicating a focus on gaining experience among elite competitors.
As Dudney continues to recover and adapt, industry observers are keen to see how his performance evolves in the upcoming races.
