Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

(Photo courtesy Jon Paquet)

Murphy Turns in Solid weekend at Santa Maria Speedway

By Gary Costa

Santa Maria, CA – (April 30 & May 1, 2010) --- Fans in the stands wouldn't have thought that Peter Murphy hasn't raced with a wing in a very long time at Santa Maria Speedway. Murphy drove to a third-place and fourth-place finish over the weekend in the Buster & Ziggy Enterprise No. 11 and the Rick Eberhardt-owned No. 13 in 360 and 410 Winged Sprint Car competition.

Murphy's busy weekend would begin Friday, as he would compete with Ocean Sprint Car Series presented by Taco Bravo. Peter, who was involved in an accident early on in the feature event back on April 16, had redemption on his mind as the masher from Clovis, California drove the Buster & Ziggy Enterprise, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Kiwi Transport, Tom Ingram Motorsports, Pro Signs No. 11 Maxim from his 14^th starting position to fourth in a wild 30-lap feature event. "We started off a little slow, but we got going faster and faster throughout the night," Murphy said after the race. "I'm really disappointed to finish fourth; I think we had more for them. I love this car… But we will take it and look forward to next week."

Murphy's hard charging efforts would not go unnoticed, earning him the "Fully Charged" hard charger award from Sun Electric for his drive from his 14^th starting position.

Saturday, Peter was ready to tackle the 1/3-mile clay oval once again. This evening he would challenge the traveling Golden State Challenge Series Winged 410 Sprint Cars. Peter qualified in the fifth position, finished third in his heat race, and he then finished sixth in the dash.

Murphy would start the 30-lap "A"-Main from the third row in the Eberhardt Motorsports, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino No. 13. When the green lights flashed on around the speedway, Murphy instantaneously went to work and began to search for the fast way around the speedway. Before a lap was completed, Murphy moved himself into the fourth position. Peter was able to slide into the third position where he stayed for the duration of the feature event. "I'm actually a little disappointed to finish third – sounds crazy but I am." Murphy said. "As a racecar driver, I guess you're really never satisfied unless you win the race. I haven't ran here with a wing a very longtime, but we did pretty well."

The next race for Peter Murphy will come at Ocean Speedway this Friday. Peter will be at the helm of the Buster & Ziggy No. 11. Be sure to check out the Peter Murphy Racing Facebook page where you can get up to date results and pictures from the races as they happen.