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Season in Review

Photo by Jacob Seelman

CONCORD, N.C. – Though it didn’t end how he wanted it to on paper, Alex Murray took several positive lessons and plenty of speed from his first year with the USAC Speed2 Eastern Midget Ass’n.

Murray, from Concord, N.C., started off the season strong and actually led the points after the first two races of the season – an impressive show of consistency for the 20-year-old.

However, the wheels for his points chase came off at Virginia’s Dominion Raceway in June, when a radiator hose failure was followed by mechanical issues that left Murray unable to start the second half of a twin-feature program.

From there, the resulting points hole left Murray seeking one goal – victory lane – and while he didn’t quite crack that code by season’s end, he did rack up three fast qualifying times, four podiums and 22 laps led across 10 starts.

Despite missing six races during the 16-race season, Murray ended the year fifth in EMA points, a strong result for his rookie season and a momentum-builder for the future.

“This year was a good year for us; I’m really pleased with how we overcame challenges and learned as we went through the season,” Murray said. “We got better and better every weekend, which is always your goal as a race team. I feel like as a driver, I didn’t necessarily grow from a driving standpoint, but I learned a lot of skills that I needed to be comfortable in the car and got better at making the split-second decisions on the track that it takes to be successful with the Eastern Midgets.

“After sitting out of any type of race car for nearly two years and then kicking off my open-wheel journey with a podium finish at Dillon (Motor Speedway) in April, it’s been an amazing feeling and a great comeback so far, in all of our eyes.”

The biggest hurdle to Murray’s Eastern Midget campaign came after a hard crash at Southern National Motorsports Park in Kenly, N.C., on July 20, which forced him to miss three straight races as a result.

However, his competitive drive never faltered, even as Murray worked to rebuild the car in the shop.

“Southern National hurt us in the worst way; it was a tough one to swallow,” Murray admitted. “We wheel-hopped and got into the wall, which tore the car up pretty badly and forced us to regroup after being inside the top three in points virtually all year long. It was one of those moments that could have beaten us down, but we used it as a motivator to push even harder and come back that much stronger.

“A pair of top-seven finishes to close the year didn’t showcase the speed we were able to find down the stretch, and I feel like with what we know now and everything we’ve learned, we can improve on that going into a new season with a clean slate ahead of us.”

That elusive victory is high on the priority list for the young third-generation racer in 2020, after coming within a whisker of winning more than once early in the year.

“I would’ve liked to have gotten that win checked off this past season; things just didn’t work out in our favor,” he noted. “We were so close – we had the car (to win) at Ace Speedway – and the driver just got in his own head and threw it away. I wish I could have that one back, but it’s got me hungrier than ever and I know we can put all the pieces together to take that last step and take home an EMA trophy.”

Alex Murray. (Jacob Seelman photo)

Murray isn’t planning on contesting the full EMA schedule this year, but he will be back with the tour part-time, while also planning select SCCA road course appearances in the Spec Miata class and exploring potential opportunities to expand into the dirt ranks in either a sprint car or micro sprint.

But regardless of where the young racer ends up on track in the months to come, one thing can be expected to remain: Murray’s familiar No. 22 and his passion to succeed.

“Winning is the goal in 2020, no matter what series or type of car we’re bringing to the track,” Murray said. “That all comes back to my grandfather (Richard Murray). He’s been racing forever and still does to this day. His number was No. 22 and that’s why I carry the same number on my cars, to carry on the family’s legacy in racing and hopefully, to make my grandfather, family and all our supporters proud.

“Last year was a year where we learned and adjusted a lot as a team, and now that we’ve got everything back to where we need it to be, we’re excited to push forward and keep chasing our goals as a group.”.

Follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook (Alex Murray Racing) Twitter (@22AMRacing), or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.

The AM Racing team is always looking for marketing partners. For those interested in partnering with Alex and his family team, send an inquiry email to 22amracing@gmail.com

Strong Eastern Midget Opener Shifts Murray’s Focus

Photo by Jacob Seelman

DILLON, S.C. – After a podium finish during last weekend’s USAC Eastern Midget Ass’n season opener at Dillon Motor Speedway, the focus for Alex Murray has quickly shifted from finishing races to chasing points.

After all, with Dillon winner Sam Hatfield not planning to contest a full EMA season this year, Murray finds himself second among full-time drivers in the standings, tied with Nolan Allison at 68 points.

With last Saturday’s finishing position as the current tiebreaker, Allison is the effective leader in the early championship chase, but Murray sees a path forward and realizes the time to pounce is now.

“Dillon was really solid for us,” Murray told SPEED SPORT following his third-place finish at the four-tenths-mile South Carolina oval. “We’re not sure whether it was a handling issue or we lost power steering halfway through the race, but to get that finish was definitely a workout, for sure. I’m really proud of this performance for our first race as a regular team, and we’ll see how much we can build.

“This is the kind of confidence-builder we needed early on in this season, and it definitely shows us that we can do this,” he added. “I feel like we’re ready to go win next time out at Wake County (Speedway).”

Murray ran a handful of races at the end of last year’s Eastern Midget campaign, but this season marks the first time he’s running with the series on a regular basis with his Shamrock Auto Care No. 22.

It also comes with some extra effort as well. Murray is a part-owner of his Eastern Midget entry this season, and is adding to that by taking on much of the preparation work back at his family’s race shop.

The 19-year-old recognizes that in order to make a serious effort at chasing the series championship and dethroning two-time defending titlist Jessica Bean, his own input is key to his results on the track.

“When we got this car last year and I made an investment into helping get it myself, I knew it was going to come with added responsibilities and additional time working on it to get it where we wanted it,” Murray noted. “I’ve learned a lot already just with the time I put in to get the car ready to go to Dillon, and I feel like becoming more in tune with the car mechanically will help me not just this year, but in the long run as I go forward.

Alex Murray. (Jacob Seelman photo)

“It’s been a learning experience, but I feel like this process has been extremely valuable for me.”

Murray was also quick to point out that the races he ran in the latter stages of last season will be a big benefit to him in the early stages of this year’s title fight.

He’s already bettered his Dillon finish from last August, and while Murray hasn’t yet competed at Wake County – the next track on the series schedule – he did finish fourth after qualifying second at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C., the site of the second half of the April 26-27 doubleheader.

“The track time we got last year helped me get an understanding of setups, driver comfort and what we need to succeed all year long,” said Murray. “The car is in the best shape it has been since we got it and Dad, Chris (Tessier) and myself have been doing all we can to keep it clean and as fast as possible.

“We’re ready to perform; we know we can win, and now we just have to go out and prove it.”

Also in Murray’s gunsights is the crown jewel of the series’ 2019 schedule, a date at Lucas Oil Raceway on Sept. 7, alongside the premier USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series.

Regardless of how the championship tables may turn, that’s a race that Murray would love nothing more than to take the trophy home from.

“Indy is a huge deal for this series and it’s going to be a true honor to race there later this year,” he said. “We would love nothing more as a team than to be able to leave there with the win and the trophy.”

In the short term, however, Murray is planning on taking this season one race at a time and letting the points fall where they may.

“We know we’re in position right now, and that’s all you can ask for as a driver,” said Murray. “Our plan is to go out, do our best and try and win each race. If we do that and put together solid finishes, the championship will take care of itself as the season rolls on.”

The USAC Eastern Midget Ass’n season continues April 26 at Wake County Speedway.

Murray Hopes To Continue Eastern Midget Growth

CONCORD, N.C. – After a successful USAC Speed2 Eastern Midget Ass’n debut at Dillon Motor Speedway in August, Alex Murray has taken the next step by acquiring an Eastern Midget of his own.

Murray, with the help of his family-owned team, covered a portion of the cost to purchase the car and plans to debut it on Oct. 6 at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C.

The entry will be No. 22 – Murray’s number in Legend cars and late models – and will carry sponsorship from Shamrock Auto Care and CPG Graphics.

“It’s been a journey just to get to this point,” noted Murray. “The car came from Kentucky … it’s actually an old Tony Stewart Racing car, and it’s an awesome piece of equipment. It’s got pretty much everything we need with it, so we should be good to go with everything we need for the rest of this year and going into next year, as well.”

Saturday’s race will mark an important step for the 18-year-old North Carolina racer, who up to now hadn’t had a dedicated investment in his own equipment.

“This is big for me. It’s the first race car I’ve ever helped buy,” Murray said. “It’s hard to race hard when you’re renting a car, because you don’t want to have to pay the crash clause or tear up someone else’s equipment, but when it’s your car you can manage that a little differently knowing that even if you wreck, you can fix it yourself instead of having to give money to someone else.

“I guess it’s a different kind of risk, I’d say,” he continued. “It’s a bit comforting, though, knowing that we’ve got the equipment we need in our own race shop now.”

Though he earned a top-five finish in his series debut, Murray will openly admit that he’s never been an “open wheel guy,” and hopes to soak in the tools he needs to be successful over the races to come.

“This is going to be a lot of learning for me. I’ve been talking to my buddy Connor (Gross), who’s been helping me out and giving me some tips to help my learning curve a bit,” Murray admitted. “We’re really in a small group of people that sets up our own cars and make it work … and he’s the one I was racing the hardest with in my debut at Dillon.

“He’s got this thing figured out and hopefully I can get things clicking before long as well.”

As of now, Murray plans to compete in at least two of the final three races of the Eastern Midget season, with eyes on heading to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C. on Oct. 13 after what he hopes is a successful outing this weekend.

Should all go according to plan, Murray’s goal is to make a run at the series championship in 2019.

“I’m excited to get back in the seat and to have the opportunity to do so, at least, a little more regularly than what I’ve had the past year or so,” stated Murray. “Next year will be tough, with working full-time and my dad not having a ton of time to do outside stuff, but we’ll see. I’m the main setup guy now, so it’s up to me to make it happen more than anyone else.

“I’m hopeful of running most of the year next year, if not all of the races,” he added. “If we’re in the points halfway through the season, I think regardless we’ll go for the championship, one way or another. We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”

After starting his career in quarter-midget racing, Murray said that heading into the Eastern Midget field brings back memories of “the old days.”

“I feel like we’re throwing it back to quarter midgets by doing this, really,” Murray laughed. “I’m racing with everyone, pretty much, that I raced with back then and I feel like I can run with them.

“Here’s hoping. We’ll see what happens.”

MURRAY IMPRESSES IN USAC SPEED2 MIDGET DEBUT

DILLON, S.C. – Eighteen-year-old Alex Murray may not have been in the seat of a race car for more than a year, but that didn’t stop him from turning some heads during his USAC Speed2 Midget debut on Saturday at Dillon Motor Speedway.

Murray, who spent much of his early career in Legend cars at the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout before transitioning briefly into late models locally in the Southeast, piloted a car from the Butch Lamb-owned Radical Race Gear stable at the four-tenths-mile, egg-shaped oval.

He wasted no time in getting up to speed in practice, putting himself within a quarter-second of the leading times in his first session in the car, then surprised himself with a huge qualifying lap that placed him third overall, ahead of defending series champion Jessica Bean.

“That was the point in the day when it really started to sink in that we had something,” admitted Murray. “It really built up my confidence and reminded me that the rust was coming off.”

He showed no signs of rust in the night’s 35-lap feature, starting from the outside of the second row and settling into fifth place, just behind long-time family friend Connor Gross, who raced quarter midgets around the same time Murray did in his early years.

Murray spent the entire distance chasing Gross’ orange No. 14, but couldn’t quite muster enough speed to get alongside and contend for fourth in the closing stages.

Even still, Murray climbed from the car afterwards with a huge smile on his face.

“This was a great day. We started off just getting acclimated to the track, learning a new car and learning a completely new style of racing for me. I’d never driven one of these things until today, other than testing it once,” said Murray. “We figured everything out, qualified third and finished fifth, which is way more than I ever expected when I came in here to start the weekend.

“I had fun racing with Connor at the end. I should have had him, but the experience I gained from chasing him down will help me in the future,” Murray added. “I just couldn’t get through the center very well. When I would arc the corner, I could get in and get off it pretty well, but it would mess up my entry for the next one because I was underneath him. I just couldn’t make it stick like that, and I didn’t want to force anything and wreck us both.”

Alex Murray at speed at Dillon Motor Speedway.(Jacob Seelman photo)

Gross shook hands with his on-track rival after the feature, grinning when asked if he knew how tight the battle was between himself and Murray.

“Oh, I knew,” Gross said. “I wasn’t just going to give it to him, though. I was going to make him earn it, and I enjoyed racing him. It was a lot of fun to see him get up to speed and adapt to the car.”

The car Murray was driving went to victory lane earlier in the season with Sam Hatfield at Shenandoah (Va.) Speedway on May 12, but Murray said it taught him a lot about his driving style compared to what he’s been used to in the past in Legend cars and late models.

“These things are just a handful. They’re so different from lap to lap because of the stagger; the air pressures (in the tires) rise and fall depending on how hard you push the car,” explained Murray. “You just have to rely on your instinct and go with your gut feeling … and then whatever happens from there happens. I was sawing at the wheel every lap but I was having a blast making it work.

“I hadn’t had any track time in over a year, but came back and finished on a good note, so that’s really positive and lets me leave here with a smile on my face. Now I’m looking forward to the next one, whenever that happens to be.”

What does Murray want to do in the future with his racing career?

If he has his say, he’d like to return to the series that gave him his first taste of open-wheel racing sooner, rather than later.

“I’m hoping we can get one of these (Speed2 Midgets) and we can run a bunch of the races next year,” Murray noted. “I love these things. I want to come back and run with them some more.”

Murray Ready for Hickory

CONCORD, N.C. – Alex Murray made his year-long return to Late Models after an impressive top ten showing at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway on August 27th.
With limited late model seat time over the past year, all eyes were on the Shamrock Auto Care Chevrolet, which returned as Murray’s primary sponsor. Murray practiced only once in the #22 before the race at Hickory.

"I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel at the famous Hickory Motor Speedway. ' Thanks to my family, friends and supports, especially Shamrock Auto Care, for helping me out this season," stated the young late model racer.

After a season out of the seat and much anticipation, Alex made his debut in a limited late model at Hickory Motor Speedway in August 2016. Alex took to the car and track quite easily and enjoyed the limited late model racing. After racing only a couple times, the AM Racing family-owned and run team was met with challenges in time, labor, and finances resulting in a decision to discontinue racing for a while.

So, now almost two years later, Alex returned to his USAC roots and raced a USAC Speed2 Midget/Eastern Midget and had an absolute blast! The AM Racing team is excited to see where this may lead.

Alex is now 18 years old and has graduated from high school. While he is the quintessential all-American, boy-next-door type that enjoys playing PS4, Fortnite, iRacing, listening to music, and hanging out with friends, he is also working full-time as a Service Technician at the family automotive business. He continues to learn all aspects of the racing team business including managing money, purchasing gear and equipment, scheduling, and the importance of conveying a professional image both on and off the race track.

The AM Racing team is always looking for marketing partners. If you are interested in partnering with Alex and his family team, please send an inquiry email to 22amracing@gmail.com

Alex Murray Finishes Bojangles Summer Shootout Series On A Positive Note

CONCORD, N.C. - The Bojangles Summer Shootout Series for INEX Legends and Bandolero cars came to an end on championship night last Tuesday, and Alex Murray finished out his first series competing in the Pro division with a seventh place run.

The effort by the family owned team on Tuesday made it four straight strong runs after three weeks of electrical and motor problems slowed their progress tremendously in their quest to become competitive in the series' top division.

"We're happy with the way we finished out the series," Alex said afterward. "Sure, we would have liked to have won or have been running for wins. But it was our first time running Pro, racing against drivers older and more experienced in legends than me and most of those guys don't run their own teams. They have an "arrive and drive" program where other people maintain their cars. We feel like we showed very well the last few races considering that we don't have the budget many do and we did it all ourselves."

Alex finished seventh in points despite three DNF's. He was the youngest racer in the division.

The team now looks to the future, which for Alex will mean stepping up into a Late Model Stock Car. He has tested a car a few times but has yet to compete in a race event.

"I've tested at Hickory a couple of times and we've run competitive speeds," Alex said of his late model exploits previous to now. "We just wanted to take our time and do it right if we're going to move up. We are working to put a program together for 2016 and we'll have more to say once we have things in line. I'm excited about what we're working on, and looking forward to seeing where it will go. I'm grateful to everyone who helps me with my racing and for all the incredible people I've met. Just to be running the Summer Shootout against drivers I look up to who have way more legends experience than me was amazing. We didn't have the best luck but we kept working hard and finished strong. I am looking forward to what comes next!"

Follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook (Alex Murray Racing) Twitter (@22AMRacing), or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.

AM Racing and Racing With Ryan Raise Funds For Victory Junction Gang Camp

CONCORD, N.C. - An idea that was born out of a desire to keep a team member's spirit alive has turned into a donation for Victory Junction Gang Camp.

When Alex Murray decided to honor his biggest fan and honorary "team member" Ryan Beckett, who passed away in 2014 from bacterial meningitis after a two-week fight at Levine Children's Hospital, by having a "Racing With Ryan" decal made up to run on his car, he wasn't thinking about anything more than paying tribute to his friend.

But then others got wind of what Alex was doing and heard Ryan's story. They wanted to help. So they started purchasing decals.

On August 28th, which would have been Ryan's 14th birthday, Ryan's family visited Victory Junction and donated $500, the amount raised through decals and the generosity of family and friends who caught the spark from Alex and wanted to help him take it to the next level.

Members of the Beckett Family, in a written statement, shared their joy at the experience of seeing all that Victory Junction has to offer to children who are in need.

"We met with Sheila, who handles the Fan Walk path at Victory Junction, to learn about the mission of VJ and were given a personal tour of the facilities. We were amazed at the beautiful camp program that is provided at VJ. We were given the opportunity to share our story of Ryan's life, how Racing with Ryan was started and why we chose to use this decal program to help other children attending camp at VJ. The tour started at the Fan Walk path where anyone can purchase a brick to be engraved and placed in the walkway that leads to a fully restored 1971 Norfolk Southern train caboose at the end. The Beckett family will also be purchasing a brick in memory of Ryan to be placed near the caboose (Ryan loved trains also)!

We visited the many racing themed buildings on the property that houses the campers, workers and volunteers as well as the onsite medical staff. The camp has many venues that cater to the camps activities such as the waterpark, theatre, arts/crafts building, indoor baseball field, horse barn, archery, Kiss/Catch/Release pond, Adams race shop and much more. Every child, no matter their disability, is offered the chance to participate in every activity at VJ. The camp and the volunteers offer a week of adventurous activities and confidence building and they do it all "for the kids". Most children that visit VJ get the chance of a lifetime to try many activities that were not possible before and meet other children like themselves so they can make lifetime friendships."

It's been a real life lesson for Alex, who wasn't able to attend the presentation due to school commitments, but has been moved by the experience.

"I'm happy that something good was able to come from a sad situation," he said. "Ryan was such a neat little kid. He just loved racing and loved being around it. I wanted to remember him and have a reason to share his story in hopes that it would inspire others as it has me. It's neat that through the donation to Victory Junction, others can benefit in a positive way. It would be nice if we could work together to grow this into something even bigger in the future. It's important to give back, and to never forget those who have mattered to you in your life. This was a way of doing that for Ryan, and I'm thankful other people wanted to be a part of it as well."

The "Racing With Ryan" decals are still for sale. Just visit either http://alexmurrayracing.com/racing-with-ryan/ or The Racing With Ryan Website at http://racingwithryan.weebly.com/ to purchase decals for $6.00 each.

All proceeds will continue to go directly to charitable causes.

Follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook (Alex Murray Racing) Twitter (@22AMRacing), or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.

Alex Murray Ready To Finish Bojangles Summer Shootout Series Strong Tonight In Race 10

CONCORD, N.C. - Many racers who finish fourth, seventh and sixth in their last three events would be unhappy. Not Alex Murray.

The 15-year-old from Concord, North Carolina had so much bad luck in the middle rounds of the ten race Bojangles Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway that he's just happy to have three solid finishes in a row and is excited to go out tonight in the final series race on a high note.

"When we came into the series, we knew we were going to have to learn how to step up into being a team that could race with the guys in the Pro division," Alex said. "We expected to get better each week and hopefully chase some top three finishes by the end of the shootout. Then we had all the motor problems and we spent about three or four races just trying to get all of that straightened out instead of working on going faster."

Alex pulled out of two straight features due to the mechanical issues, and the team tried changing everything in the car that was electrical or power-related in nature, except the motor. Nothing helped, and the motor finally blew up in race 6.

"That was our rock bottom, but at the same time it was almost a relief to now know what the problem was. When that motor blew, our other one was being rebuilt and freshened. Once we got it back and put it in the car for race 7, everything started falling into place again. We lost about three races of making progress because we were having motor problems. That's why I'm happy with our runs the past three races. Fourth, seventh and then last night we got sixth and were as high as fourth at one time. We're a tenth or two off but the car is racing well and I'm learning each time out again."

Turning to tonight's final race, Alex says he thinks a top five finish is definitely possible and would be a nice way to finish the series.

"I'd love to say we can go win a race, and I do believe that is possible, but these guys we're racing against have been doing this at this level a lot longer than we have. If I can go out and get a solid top three to top five finish then I would be happy with that. I am so lucky just to be able to race at all, and my whole family works really hard to keep us going along with some close friends who believe in me enough to help and encourage me. I want to run well as much for them as for myself. I'd love to see the Shamrock Auto Car, Racing With Ryan No. 22 in the top five at the end of tonight's race. I'm going to try my hardest to make that happen."

If you can't make it out to the speedway to watch Alex on Tuesday night, check out www.goprn.com for information on the internet pay-per-view video broadcast for this summer's racing, or follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook, or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.

Alex Murray Breaks Bad Luck Streak With Solid Fourth Place Finish In Bojangles Summer Shootout Round 7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. - Alex Murray, 15, of Concord broke his streak of bad luck Tuesday night in round 7 of the Bojangles Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, charging his way to a fourth place finish in the legends pro division on the 1/4-mile track.

His career best shootout finish came after he was forced to pull out of the last three races early due to mechanical problems on his sharp looking Shamrock Auto Care No. 22.

Last week, the motor blew, forcing the team to change to their spare motor, which had just been rebuilt, for Tuesday's race.

When the race ended, you could find nothing but smiles in the Murray team's garage.

"This has been a great day," Alex grinned. "I can't thank my family and all of my supporters enough for believing in me all through the first six races when we were struggling. This Pro class is so competitive that almost all of us are within a tenth of a second on lap time, so you really have to race hard to pass cars. Tonight, we had the car and motor to do that and to take advantage when things fall our way."

Alex continued on, discussing details of the day.

"We didn't qualify as well as we want to but that was my fault. I overdrove the car and was thinking too much. We started sixth and I got caught on the outside and got shuffled back to tenth or eleventh on the first lap before I could get down to the bottom. I got stuck behind Reid Wilson for a few laps before I finally was able to get by him and then start running down the rest of the pack. I needed a caution to get me back up into the mix, and that happened with 11 laps left. I was able to use the driver "choose" cone to restart sixth. Then on the last lap (Jared) Irvan got loose and slid up into (Evan) Swilling and we were able to get by those two to finish fourth. It was a good battle the last bunch of laps with all of us right there tight. It just felt good to have the speed to run with the leaders finally and show what we could do."

Pausing for a minute to think about the rest of the series, Alex reaffirmed his excitement for what's ahead.

"Now that we seem to have the motor situation under control and the car is running right, I'm really looking forward to the last three races because we can work on making me and the car faster instead of having to fix mechanical problems. It's hard to work on building speed when the car isn't working right. I"m glad I could give my team something to smile about tonight, because they've really worked hard for the whole series to get us to this point."

Next Monday, July 20th is the usual Monday night practice session at the track, while qualifying and racing get underway on Tuesday afternoon, July 21st for round 8 of the Bojangles Summer shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

If you can't make it out to the speedway to watch Alex on Tuesday night, check out www.goprn.com for information on the internet pay-per-view video broadcast for this summer's racing, or follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook, or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.

Motor Swap Has Alex Murray Optimistic For This Weeks Summer Shootout Race at Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. - Several weeks of frustration came to a head for Alex Murray last Tuesday as the motor blew in his Shamrock Auto Care No. 22 at the Bojangles Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

If it is possible to be relieved at such a circumstance, the 15-year-old Concord racer was.

"We kept telling there was something wrong with it," Murray said. "But we couldn't find the problem. For about three weeks I would lose power when the motor got hot. We tried everything to figure it out. We would run fast for a lap or two and then it would just slow down. It was so frustrating because we know the car has speed. You're never happy when a motor blows, but in this case we now know something was going bad on it for the whole time."

The team has another motor that was being refreshed by 600 Racing, the motor builders (and builder of all legends cars worldwide). That motor was installed this weekend and the team expects to be in the garage area for practice Monday night.

"This whole shootout has been so challenging," Murray said. "We got caught up in a couple of wrecks in the first few races then the motor stuff started happening. We know the car is fast enough to race up front. With the rebuilt motor in for this week, we're hopeful we won't have any more issues and we can spend the last few races just getting better each week and ending the series on a strong note. I'm excited to get to the track today and get back in the car!"

Tonight is the usual Monday night practice session at the track, while qualifying and racing get underway on Tuesday afternoon.

If you can't make it out to the speedway to watch Alex on Tuesday night, check out www.goprn.com for information on the internet pay-per-view video broadcast for this summer's racing, or follow Alex Murray Racing on Facebook, or his website (www.alexmurrayracing.com) to keep up with the latest news.