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| Sean Murphy Takes SS Green Light Racing to Victory in Indianapolis | Monday April 28, 2008
Sean Murphy piloted the #32 ASI LIMITED; Akzo Nobel; Spectrum Metal Finishing Chevy Late Model to Victory Lane on Saturday night at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind. The ASI LIMITED 200 presented by GunBroker.com marked the first point's race of the season for the ASA Late Model Series - Challenge Division. Murphy won the race in dominating fashion in front of the hometown crowd of primary sponsor ASI LIMITED.
The employees and family and friends were standing and cheering for much of the race and then celebrated with their driver in victory lane. Murphy qualified 4th and started 6th due to a 9-car inversion. Shortly after the drop of the green flag Murphy moved up to 3rd place and rode there for much of the first half of the race. He was patient and persistent playing it conservative and smart. When the door opened on lap-88 he made a clean pass for 2nd position.
At lap 101 the series brought all cars into pit road for a
10-minute half way break. The SS Green Light Racing Crew knew they had a good car, but also knew they would need a few adjustments to have a great car fast enough for a win.
On the restart of the second half Sean Murphy and Jacob Goede (the leader) took off from the rest of the field. Murphy looked for a place to pass Goede several times but each time had to back out. They raced each other hard, but kept it clean.
On lap - 141 Murphy finally got around Goede to take over the lead and he never looked back. The ASI LIMITED employee filled crowd was going wild as Murphy began to move away from the rest of the field eventually having a 10-car length lead.
The caution flag waived on lap 159 closing up the massive lead Murphy had built. He had a great restart and proved he was the dominant car of the night by quickly regaining his 10-car length lead. The 200 lap race dwindled down and Murphy and the SS Green Light Crew cruised to the end taking the checkered flag and race win. In Victory Lane several ASI LIMITED employees along with team owner and ASI LIMITED President Ken Smith celebrated with the SS Green Light Racing Crew and Driver.
"This is just really awesome," said Murphy in victory lane interviews. "Last year we nearly won this race and I was so disappointed for all the ASI employees that we missed the win. I am just so happy that we could win for them tonight."
"It's great for me to win, but I really have to thank all the hard working employees of ASI who make all this possible," expressed Murphy. "The bottom line is that without them we wouldn't be here. My crew worked really hard to prepare a great car and this win is equally theirs too."
Round 1 of 8 is now complete for the chase for the ASA Late Model Series Championship. Murphy will enter the next race at Iowa Speedway on May 17th as the point's leader. But the team knows the competition is tough and it's a long road ahead.
"It was great to win," said crew Chief, Deon Deneau. "This place has gotten me several times and it feels good to finally get this track back and win here." "But even as we were celebrating and loading the hauler after the race we started talking about Iowa," added Deneau. "We have to stay focused and will enjoy this win until about Monday morning then it's all about preparing for Iowa."
Contact: Shawn Stewart (704) 658-7265 shawn@ssgreenlight.com
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