Peter Murphy Classic invades Kings Speedway – Powered by Keller Motors this Friday and Saturday
By Gary Thomas
Hanford, CA…One of the largest weekends of the season at Kings Speedway – Powered by Keller Motors is set to tackle the track this Friday and Saturday, as the ninth running of the “Peter Murphy Classic” converges in Hanford.
The event began after popular driver Peter Murphy suffered serious injuries during a racing crash at Antioch Speedway on July 20, 2013. The accident ultimately forced him to step out of the seat, having suffered a traumatic brain injury, ligament damage in his neck, shoulder and knees, along with a compressed T-3 vertebra.
Murphy fought back hard and organized the inaugural Peter Murphy Classic that following season at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway. It turned out to be an overwhelming success and has been held every year since, except for 2020 during covid. The Australian native now fills the role of Promoter at Kings Speedway and for the first time ever this weekend, it will be held in Hanford each night.
“We are really excited for this weekend at Kings Speedway – Powered by Keller Motors,” Murphy commented. “I continue to put this event on as a thank you to everyone that supported me after the crash. As always, I want to encourage everyone to bring a friend to the races who hasn’t been before. The best thing we can do is bring new people into our sport and I hope the Classic is an event that can get them hooked.”
The Peter Murphy Classic opener on Friday May 12th will showcase the NARC 410 Sprint Cars presented by NAPA Auto Parts, the Kings of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Cars, along with the Western RaceSaver 305 Sprints. Clovis, California’s Corey Day snagged the NARC appearance in April and will certainly be a favorite this weekend.
The Kings of Thunder Winged 360 feature will award $1,500-to-win/ $200-to-start on Friday night.
The event then concludes on Saturday May 13th with the NARC 410 Sprint Cars and the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Abreu Vineyards. The Winged 410 and Winged 360 combo show will bring out a loaded pit area of California Sprint Car stars. The NARC main event on Saturday night dishes out a cool $11,000 to the winner.
Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi is the two-time and reigning winner of the Peter Murphy Classic with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series, while Fremont’s Shane Golobic captured the SCCT portion of the show last year.
Tickets for Friday night’s opener on May 12th can be purchased at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1797/tickets/1325136
Tickets for Saturday’s finale on May 13th can be purchased at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1797/tickets/1325154
Tickets will also be available at the gate on race day.
Former NARC winners of the Peter Murphy Classic
2022- Dominic Scelzi
2021- Dominic Scelzi
2019- Rico Abreu
2018- Shane Golobic
2017- Bud Kaeding
2016- Kyle Hirst
2015- Aaron Reutzel
2014- Jonathan Allard
Former SCCT winners of the Peter Murphy Classic
2022- Shane Golobic
2021- Dominic Scelzi
2019- Dominic Scelzi
2018- Gio Scelzi
2017- Rico Abreu
The front gate opens at 5pm on Friday 5/12 and 3pm on Saturday 5/13. Be sure to take advantage of Pete’s Pub in the pits before the races with food, drinks and driver interviews on the stage.
The Kings Speedway – Powered by Keller Motors is a 3/8-mile clay oval located on the Kings County Fairgrounds in Hanford, California. The physical address is 801 S. 10th Ave. Hanford, Ca 93230.
More info can be found at www.racekingsspeedway.com or by visiting the track Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KingsSpeedwayOfficialSite
- Aly Sipes on May 07, 2023
- Article Date: 5/7/2023 by Gary Thomas