Austin Murphy, driver of the #07 Lucas Oil, Frazier Masonry, RoxPro Late-Model took first place in the biggest late-model race at Havasu I-95 Speedway on Saturday, November 24. This was Murphy’s fourth star
Murphy set the fast time for the race during the qualifying laps earlier in the day. His black, 2004 Monte Carlo was on top of the leader board.
The 75-lap feature in the JJ&B Late Models was jam packed with determined drivers, including last year’s track champion, Ron Daniel.
After Murphy’s outstanding qualifying, a pea-picked of four, put him on the outside of row 2 for the start of the evenings main event. First lap a wreck slowed several drivers on the track but not Murphy, who kept a commanding second place ride. Tire conservation was a priority for Murphy as he had 74 more laps to the finish.
On lap 30, slightly trailing Daniel, Murphy saw his chance and dove under the #117 to take the lead.
The first portion of the race was caution-free allowing Murphy to gain a half a track lead over the second place #117 driver by lap 45.
He maneuvered through lap traffic as the other drivers attempted to stay on the lead lap.
Despite Daniels’ efforts and the efforts of the other drivers, Murphy kept his lead and refused to give way to his trailing competitors.
Around lap 65 there was a restart with the top five cars nose to tail, which was nerve wracking for the crowd gathered to await the outcome. Because of Murphy’s tire conservation and smooth driving techniques, he kept his tire wear to a minimum, giving him outstanding grip for the restart.
The young driver’s lack of experience was not evident as he raced against older drivers and showed an amazing ability to strategize to the finish.
Murphy’s quarter-lap lead towards the end of the 75th laps left no doubt in anyone’s mind the race would be won by the #07 driver.
During the course of the 2007-2008 season, Murphy has competed in all the trophy dashes and placed each time. This equates to a qualification in the top four in every race he’s competed for during the Late Model Series.
Murphy, who is just 15 years old, is the 2004 Bandolero National Champion and the 2006 Young Lions Legends National Champion.
The After Hours Racing Team from Lancaster, California would like to thank their sponsors for their continuing support. Murphy said without the backing of topnotch people from Lucas Oil, Frazier Masonry, and RoxPro for their faith in him and the future of the After Hours Racing Team. Special thanks goes out to Richard Hooper, of Hooper’s Rear End exchange for providing young Murphy with an outstanding race car and rear ends that have not let the team down.
Austin Murphy, driver of the #07 Lucas Oil, Frazier Masonry, RoxPro Late-Model took first place in the biggest late-model race at Havasu I-95 Speedway on Saturday, November 24. This was Murphy’s fourth start in the late model series and his best finish so far. Murphy had raced at I-95 in both his Speed truck and his legend car; however he hadn't raced his late model before Saturday’s event.
Murphy set the fast time for the race during the qualifying laps earlier in the day. His black, 2004 Monte Carlo was on top of the leader board.
The 75-lap feature in the JJ&B Late Models was jam packed with determined drivers, including last year’s track champion, Ron Daniel.
After Murphy’s outstanding qualifying, a pea-picked of four, put him on the outside of row 2 for the start of the evenings main event. First lap a wreck slowed several drivers on the track but not Murphy, who kept a commanding second place ride. Tire conservation was a priority for Murphy as he had 74 more laps to the finish.
On lap 30, slightly trailing Daniel, Murphy saw his chance and dove under the #117 to take the lead.
The first portion of the race was caution-free allowing Murphy to gain a half a track lead over the second place #117 driver by lap 45.
He maneuvered through lap traffic as the other drivers attempted to stay on the lead lap.
Despite Daniels’ efforts and the efforts of the other drivers, Murphy kept his lead and refused to give way to his trailing competitors.
Around lap 65 there was a restart with the top five cars nose to tail, which was nerve wracking for the crowd gathered to await the outcome. Because of Murphy’s tire conservation and smooth driving techniques, he kept his tire wear to a minimum, giving him outstanding grip for the restart.
The young driver’s lack of experience was not evident as he raced against older drivers and showed an amazing ability to strategize to the finish.
Murphy’s quarter-lap lead towards the end of the 75th laps left no doubt in anyone’s mind the race would be won by the #07 driver.
During the course of the 2007-2008 season, Murphy has competed in all the trophy dashes and placed each time. This equates to a qualification in the top four in every race he’s competed for during the Late Model Series.
Murphy, who is just 15 years old, is the 2004 Bandolero National Champion and the 2006 Young Lions Legends National Champion.
The After Hours Racing Team from Lancaster, California would like to thank their sponsors for their continuing support. Murphy said without the backing of topnotch people from Lucas Oil, Frazier Masonry, and RoxPro for their faith in him and the future of the After Hours Racing Team. Special thanks goes out to Richard Hooper, of Hooper’s Rear End exchange for providing young Murphy with an outstanding race car and rear ends that have not let the team down.
