Land of Legends Raceway brought a DIRTcar Sportsman Series thrill ride to Ontario County Fair Wednesday night, handing out a $1,000 check and a championship.
The event set up a Central Region versus West Region duel with 31 cars lining up for the 30-lap Feature.
Richard Murtaugh, looking for his first Series win of the season, entered with momentum and confidence, already holding a victory and the points lead at the track. And it showed, setting Quick Time and winning his Heat Race.
He started sixth in the Feature, but his No. 33 Modified had a hunger like no other for the lead. Murtaugh darted to third on the first lap and then claimed the lead on Lap 2. From there, it was a showcase of how many fast laps he could set out front.
Behind him, the field played musical chairs with each position. The most impressive player of them all was Cody McPherson, on the charge from his 21st starting position.
McPherson started the night with a 10-point lead in the West Region championship finale, and with every lap, he saw the points situation fall back into his favor.
Murtaugh led 29 laps en route to his first Series victory of the season and a significant points gain over his Central Region championship challenger Hunter Hollenbeck, who finished seventh, with one race to go in the Region’s schedule.
Behind him, McPherson ended his charge with a second-place finish and secured the West Region title.
RESULTS
Sportsman Series 40 (30 Laps): 1. 33-Richard Murtaugh[6]; 2. 1-Cody McPherson[21]; 3. 10-Karl Comfort[5]; 4. 21J-Justin Liechti[12]; 5. 25-Evan Nugent[2]; 6. 10G-Austin Germinio[10]; 7. 72-Hunter Hollenbeck[18]; 8. 41S-Chase Spoor[1]; 9. 78JR-Nigel Pendykoski[11]; 10. 31B-Quinn Wallis[24]; 11. 0F-Tony Finch II[26]; 12. 111-Brett Senek[23]; 13. 82-David Hackett[13]; 14. F28-Tyler Stevenson[29]; 15. 7G-Tyler Guzzardi[15]; 16. 123-Dale Welty[19]; 17. 43J-Jayden Wust[20]; 18. 18R-Madyson Rouse[30]; 19. 54-Sullivan Dickey[25]; 20. 212-Martin Polhill[27]; 21. 10H-Trevor Houghton[31]; 22. (DNF) 6M-Cody Manitta[28]; 23. (DNF) 113J-Frank Guererri[3]; 24. (DNF) 64-Tyler Corcoran[7]; 25. (DNF) 9-Tim Baker[4]; 26. (DNF) 28$-Brian Harber[22]; 27. (DNF) 714-Chris Darling[17]; 28. (DNF) 12G-Matt Guererri[9]; 29. (DNF) 07W-Taylor Wason[14]; 30. (DNF) 99JR-Matteo Panunte[16]; 31. (DNF) 35-Nick Cooper[8]
UP NEXT
DIRTcar Sportsman Series Central Region will crown its champion when it returns to action at Fulton Speedway on Saturday, July 25. The 30-lap Feature will award $1,000 to the winner.
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Karl Comfort (left), Richard Murtaugh (center), Cody McPherson (right)
