From Gary Costa, image courtesy of John’s Racing Photo
TULARE, CA — Tarlton Motorsports kicked off the 2010 season at the always exciting Tulare Thunderbowl, in Tulare, Ca. 2009 Ocean Sprints 360 Sprint Car champion, Tommy Tarlton competed against the always pesky traveling World of Outlaws winged Sprint Car group. Peter Murphy competed in the Non-Wing portion of the weekend, competing with the West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series.
The opener also included the debut of a new and welcomed sponsor to the Tarlton Motorsports family: Corporate America Lending, located in Fresno, Ca. has come aboard and we are excited and look forward to wave the checkered flag with them.
Tarlton Motorsports’ Non-Wing program donned a new Non-Wing, KPC XC1 chassis, including a “Next Generation 10” Shark motor in the Tom Tarlton-owned mount. 2009 Santa Maria Track Champion and Bandit Non-Wing champion, Peter Murphy, along with the ultra-talented “Team Tarlton” immediately showed that they will be a force to reckon with all season long.
Tommy, who also serves as Vice President of Tarlton and Son, Inc., has brought his canny business ability to racing, by forming one of the strongest and well put together Sprint Car teams in California. Along with talented crew chief Paul Baines, the two are looking for great things ahead.
Tarlton’s Friday Outlaw showing was not what he wanted. In his heat race however, he showed that the Corporate America Lending, Tarlton & Son, Inc. No. 21 is capable of moving forward. After a stop in his heat race, Tarlton was on the “outside looking in” at a transfer spot. Tarlton got his “elbows up” and powered the immaculately prepared mount to an incredibly exciting transfer spot finish, which put him in the feature event.
In the 35-lap feature, Tarlton was involved in a scary wreck. During a restart, Iowa’s Terry McCarl got out of shape on the front stretch, and Tarlton, who had a full head of steam, and no where to go, pounded the spinning McCarl. After the incredible impact, Tarlton’s mount began to perform wild gyrations, eventually coming to stop in the infield. Thankfully everyone was okay.
Jason Meyers from nearby Clovis won the wild event. Tarlton & Son., Inc. is a proud sponsor on this very potent World of Outlaws team, and we congratulate Jason and his team on his big win.
With a damaged car in the pits, and no time to rest, the Tarlton Motorsports team worked feverishly to repair the battered No. 21 for Saturday’s event.
Tarlton would fair a lot better during Saturday’s action, as he showed speed against the fastest 410’s in the United States. Tarlton qualified 13th out of the 29 entries. After coming through the B feature, Tarlton kept his cool, and he then went on and capped off his weekend with a strong ninth place finish. Tarlton was the only non-Outlaw regular to finish in the Top-10.
“We are just trying to get up to speed. We had to build another car after that massive crash. But we’re excited about the year. Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino is still on board and we also have Corporate America Lending on board – it’s pretty exciting,” said Tarlton. “Sharp Insurance is sticking with us, along with BG products and all of the great sponsors that help us. We’re excited and looking to have some fun and win some races along the way. We are going to represent our sponsors well, and bring them home some trophies!”
Murphy’s night was also full of excitement. With no qualifying and “Pill Pick” to determine starting positions. It was in his heat race, that Murphy would pull the “move of the night” in the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Tarlton & Son, Inc. No. 21 KPC. From his mid-pack starting position, Murphy became a “shark to blood” when the green flag flew. As everyone dove to the bottom side of the track, Murphy blew by his competition, passing three cars in the process and took command of the lead heading down the backstretch. Murphy walked away with the win, and in the process, it was clear that he would be contending for the opening night win.
Outside front row starter, and eventual winner, Dean Alexander got the jump in the main event. Biding his time, Murphy eventually got around Alexander on the third circuit, taking the lead. As laps wound down, the racing heated up and the gloves came off, as Murphy got locked into a duel with USAC/ CRA star, Danny “Showtime” Sheridan.
The two had the fans on their feet, as each driver was not giving an inch of racing surface. Heading into turn-3, real estate ran out as a lapped car came into play, which resulted in Sheridan taking a hard flip and Murphy coming to a stop. Murphy was able to restart and join the rear of the field. Peter would begin his charge, but with laps running out, and the curfew becoming an issue, the checked flag waved with 25-laps in the books. Murphy was still able to salvage the night and would muster a seventh place finish.
“The car was good. I didn’t have any brakes, so I couldn’t slow down like I wanted. I would have liked to race Danny for the win – he’s a great competitor – it was just a racing deal that happened,” Murphy explained. “I think we’re on to something. Once we get dialed in, we’re going to be good!”
Up Next For Tarlton Motorsports!
Weather permitting; Tommy will be racing at Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway for a two-day stint at the Mini Gold Cup.
Peter will be seeking victory this Saturday at Kings Speedway, during West Coast 360 Non-Wing action.
For schedule information, please go to www.tarltonandson.com
Special thanks to: The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Ridgeline Framing, Corporate American Lending, Shark Racing Engines, Matt & Glass, M & S Motorsports, Sharp Insurance, Elite Racing, BG Products, Pro Signs, VMAC, Kaeding Performance, Pro Shocks, Sander Engineering, Astro Titanium, Simpson, BR Motorsports, Willwood, and Brown & Miller Racing Solutions.