(5/8/23) Hanford, CA … The NARC 410 Sprint Car Racing Series, presented by NAPA Auto Parts, will head to Kings Speedway on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13th for the highly-anticipated Peter Murphy Classic. This will be the second trip of the season to the exciting 3/8-mile clay oval located in Hanford, CA. Up for grabs will be a stout $11,000 payday to the winner of Saturday night’s 30-lap headliner finale. With that kind of money on the line, this two-day extravaganza will reel in the full NARC roster and attract some heavy hitters from outside the region.
“I’m so excited for this weekend,” commented Peter Murphy, promoter of Kings Speedway, “This is a major collaboration with my team here at Kings and all the wonderful sponsors and supporters that contribute to making it happen. It’s always great to have NARC in town; this place has done some fantastic contests. This is a weekend you do not want to miss, and make sure to BRING A FRIEND!“
Originating in 2015, The Peter Murphy Classic, or PMC, is a race honoring Kings Speedway promoter Peter Murphy. Murphy is originally from the Sydney, New South Wales, Australia area but now calls Clovis home. He’s achieved eight NARC 410 Sprint Series wins from 2001 to 2013. Wins with the series include the 2011 Tribute to Gary Patterson and Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. Murphy has also had a decorated career in Non-Wing competitions throughout the Central Valley.
Friday’s show will also feature the Kings of Thunder 360 sprint cars. The Sprint Car Challenge Tour 360’s will join the program on Saturday.
Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi is the defending champion of the event after sweeping both nights in an intense open wheel battle in 2022. The timing of the Peter Murphy Classic might be perfect as Scelzi added his name to the 2023 NARC winner’s list for the first time two-weeks ago at Antioch Speedway. That ended an uncharacteristic long winless streak dating back to May 2022 for the 20-time NARC winner.
“Momentum doesn’t always mean success, but I feel we have to be one of the favorites every single night,” said Scelzi, the two-time defending NARC champion. “Even if we start deep (in the field), we’ve shown we can win and contend every night.”
“The Peter Murphy Classic has been great for us as we’ve won the last four Peter Murphy 410 races,” Scelzi continued. “We got them both in 2021 and 2022. I just feel confident the more money on the line and the hotter the weather. My 41 team is ready to go.”
With temperatures expected to be in the 80’s, Scelzi has all the incentives needed to continue his domination of the event.
Other previous winners of the Peter Murphy Classic include Campbell’s Bud Kaeding, Shane Golobic of Fremont, Rutherford’s Rico Abreu, and Texas driver Aaron Reutzel.
A full field of cars is expected to chase the lucrative purse which includes a guaranteed $1000 in starting money for Saturday’s A-Main.
Who to Watch
Current NARC 410 Sprint Car Series championship point leader Corey Day returns to Kings after his triumphant efforts at April 8th NARC season opener at the track. The Clovis teenager has yet to finish off the podium in 2023 and is on a streak of two consecutive second-place results. He currently holds a 562-549 point advantage over Aromas driver Justin Sanders. Scelzi is another two points behind.
Jonathan Allard is expected to make his 2023 debut with the NARC series. The three-time series champion, originally from Chico and now calling Waimauku, Auckland, New Zealand home, has four Kings Speedway wins since 2001, including last year’s Morrie Williams Memorial. He has 41 NARC King of the West victories on his career resume.
Hanford’s D.J. Netto is always a threat to win on his home track. The 2019 series champion has already enjoyed a pair of 360 victories this season and hopes to carry that hot streak to his first PMC win. He has six NARC wins to this credit.
Even though Roseville’s Colby Copeland is not chasing NARC championship points, he is a driver to be watched at Kings Speedway. He “quietly” finished in the runner-up spot at both events of the Peter Murphy Classic last season and always steps up his game at big shows.
Also looking to pocket a big payday are Chase Johnson of Penngrove, Dennis Roth Classic winner Justyn Cox from Roseville, Ryan Bernal from Hollister, current Rookie of the Year point leader Joey Ancona of Concord, Oakley teenager Dylan Bloomfield, Campbell veteran Bud Kaeding, Kaleb Montgomery of Templeton, Sebastopol’s Joel Myers Jr., Tanner Holmes from Oregon, Tucson, Arizona’s Nick Parker, Benicia’s Billy Aton, Sparks, Nevada traveler Bill Smith, and many more!
Fan & Competitor Info
Kings Speedway powered by Keller Motors, is located at the Kings Fairgrounds at 801 S 10th Avenue in Hanford, CA. For ticket information, log on tohttps://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1797/tickets/1325136 for Friday and Saturday at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/1797/tickets/1325154 for online purchases. Additional information is available at: www.racekingsspeedway.com.
The NARC racing format includes qualifying, four 8-lap heat races, an exciting six-lap pole shuffle shuffle, a 12-lap last chance race, and the 30-lap NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored Peter Murphy Classic.
Pit Gates open at 1:00 pm, Front Gates at 4:00, Hot Laps at 5:00, and Racing is scheduled to kick off around 6:00. Be sure to visit Pete’s Pub after the Front Gates opens, and take advantage of special deals on food and beverages before the races start.
The NARC 410 Sprint Series, presented by Napa Auto Parts, is the leading 410 Sprint Car tour west of the Rocky Mountains. Since 1960, they have enthralled countless thousands of fans from tracks up and down the Pacific Coast. For more information, visit their website at www.narc410.com or social media pages.
The Peter Murphy Classic can be viewed live on Floracing.com, along with every NARC 410 Sprint Car Series race.
The NARC 410 Sprint Car Racing Series is also sponsored by Hoosier Racing Tires, Floracing.com, and NAPA Auto Parts. Associate and product award sponsors include Automotive Racing Products (ARP), Beacon Wealth Strategies-Raymond James Financial, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Bullet Impressions, D & D Roofing, Diversified Machine Inc., Johnstone Supply, Kaeding Performance Center, Kimo’s Tropical Car Wash, KSE Racing Enterprises, Lifeline LLC, Maxim Racing Products, Mettec Titanium, Pyrotect, Safecraft Safety Equipment, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Scelzi Enterprises, SCI Racing Products, Starr Property Management, Sunnyvalley Bacon, System 1 Ignition, Ultra Lite Brakes, Williams Roofing, Wilwood Disc Brakes, and Winters Performance Products.
NARC 410 SPRINT CAR SERIES
CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS
(AFTER FOUR EVENTS IN 21-RACE SERIES – 5/7/23)
- Corey Day, Clovis – 562
- Justin Sanders, Aromas – 549
- Dominic Scelzi, Fresno – 547
- Chase Johnson, Penngrove – 540
- Justyn Cox, Roseville – 534
- Bud Kaeding, Campbell – 530
- Shane Golobic, Fremont – 526
- Ryan Bernal, Roseville – 525
- Joey Ancona, Concord (R) – 523
- Dylan Bloomfield, Oakley – 508
- Kaleb Montgomery, Templeton (R) – 488
- Nick Parker, Tucson, AZ (R) – 479
- Billy Aton, Benicia – 456
- Bill Smith, Sparks, NV – 454
- Tim Kaeding, San Jose – 402
- Colby Copeland, Roseville – 394
- Tanner Holmes, Central Point, OR – 383
- DJ Netto, Hanford – 374
- Craig Stidham, Fresno – 369
- Michael Pombo, Easton – 367
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 20th – Petaluma Speedway – Salute to First Responders
June 3rd – Placerville Speedway – Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race
Fastest Four Days in Motorsports
June 15 – Southern Oregon Speedway (Central Point, OR) – Thursday Night Thunder
June 16 – Douglas County Dirt Track (Roseburg, OR) – Friday Night Frenzy
June 17 – Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, OR) – Sprint Car Invasion
June 18 – Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) – Timber Cup