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Peter Murphy set to take on great competition at Frank Dias Kings Speedway Saturday night. The Black 21 Tarlton and Son owned machine has won four of eight series events including the last event at Kings fantastic 3/8 mile clay oval. Murphy is currently sitting atop all four points championships available.
The Clovis "closer" is dominating the Bandit Series Championship through winning and consistency with a remarkable seven top 3 finishes in the eight events. He has amassed an 89 point advantage over the pack of teams behind led by Bakersfield charger Rusty Carlile. Behind them are Fresno's "Fast" Albert Pombo, Tulare's Justyne Hamblin and Hanford's favorite son Jonathon Logan who round out the top 5 in overall series points. Who is going to chop into that lead? There are many capable teams, they need to step it up and at this point get some good fortune.
The Kings Speedway track championship chase is a might closer with Hamblin a scant 16 points behind the Murphy team. Pombo, Logan, Visalia twin racestars Richard and Jace VanderWeerd and Gilroy gasser Wes Gutierrez round out the top pack. Murphy has won two of three Kings hotly contested events. Murphy has been challenged every lap of every event which is a testament to the competition and also his experience and treachery as a skilled pilot and reflected in his remarkable ability to bring his car home in one piece.
Murphy also is king of the hill with Santa Maria Speedway's championship series but more importantly the most prestigious championship Grand Slam Series which includes the best wingless sprint car drivers in the state. Murphy was victorious in the series opener at Kings in April. The bad news is the next Grand Slam event is next month at Bakersfield Speedway where Murphy is a perfect two for two. It has been a dream season so far for the Tarlton and Son team who is perfection at Kings Speedway's wingless sprint car division to date with fellow team Tarlton racer young star Michael Faccinto scoring a victory on April 25th in a rare bandit start. Faccinto joins Richard VanderWeerd and former Bandit champion Danny Sheridan (twice) as the divers to finish ahead of Murphy this young season. Who ever is next obviously has to bring their A-game to knock off the number 21 juggernaut.
All of this has a determined group of Bandits looking to level out this season by outrunning the venerable black 21 at Kings. Visalia veteran racer Greg Bragg will sure join with Hamblin, Pombo, Logan and the rest to endeavor to overtake Murphy's point lead. This is sure to thrill all sprint car fans as the competition is heating up as the season is about 1/3 complete.
This awesome program will also feature Late Model Stock Cars and include IMCA Stock Cars. Race fans of all types, sizes, shapes and ages are sure to be thrilled with this outstanding program. The pit gates will open at 2:00 P.M. with the drivers meeting promptly at 4:30 P.M. and qualifying beginning at 5:45. The Grandstands open at 5:30 P.M. and feature a fantastic Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:00 (1/2 off drinks)!! All seats are general admission so come early and pick a winner. Remember to bring a friend, bring a neighbor and bring a friends neighbor to "the place to race", Kings Speedway in beautiful HanfordCalifornia.
Kings Speedway Bandit Series Championship Points
147 - Peter Murphy - (# 21)
131 - Justyne Hamblin - (# 8)
120 - Albert Pombo - (# 35)
109 - Jonathan Logan - (# 32)
100 - Richard VanderWeerd - (# 10)
99 - Jace VanderWeerd - (# 88)
98 - Wes Gutierrez - (# 007)
95 - Ricky Kirkbride - (# 87)
94 - Rusty Carlile - (# 51)
92 - Dave Knott - (# 28)
91 - Jeff Gardner - (# 51T)
89 - Rick Eberhardt - (# 4)
85 - Michael Faccinto - (# 21T)
80 - Adam Frith-Smith - (# 62)
73 - Brandon Thomson - (# 92/19)
61 - Kevin Barnes - (# 36B)
59 - John Iturriria - (# 27)
57 - Jerry Wise Jr - (# 23)
51 - Steven Williams - (# 93)
49 - Greg Taylor - (# 1)
47 - Jonathan Henry - (# 88H)
44 - Greg Bragg - (# 11)
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