PASS Racer Spotlight: Matt Murphy Honors MLK’s Dream Through Racing
CHARLOTTE, NC (January 19) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Pro Late Model racer Matt Murphy draws inspiration, as do many others like him, through the words and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But for many, the 14-year-old aspiring race car driver from Charlotte, NC is himself an inspiration.
Murphy started out racing Go Karts and Junior Dragsters when he was just 6 –years-old before eventually moving up in to the Bandolero division. Now in his second year racing PASS Pro Late Models, Murphy showed great improvement in 2014, finishing third in overall points with six top 5 finishes, including a career best third place finish at Dillon Motor Speedway last March. As the 2014 season wound down, Murphy was consistently challenging for top five finishes thanks, in large part, to a collaborative effort between Crew Chief Michael Rouse, Dean Clattenberg, and Bill Pink, along with New Day Motorsports’ Jeff Day and Brandon Ward. Those results have Murphy firmly focused on a singular goal in 2015…winning.
“Our plan for this year is to win a championship,” said Murphy. “Our performance really picked up at the end of last season. I’m really looking forward to racing at Southern National again and can’t wait to hit one of the new tracks on the schedule for 2015, Concord Speedway.”
With support from LA& B Construction, Cool Shirt Cooling Systems, Matt Enterprise, and DW Designs, Matt Murphy is confident he will get the #7 into the winner’s circle in 2015. But, racing is just a part of what makes this young African-American driver special. Matt has created a community service effort called Project S.H.A.R.E (Sacrificing Hands are Real Examples). Project S.H.A.R.E focuses on providing resources to create a better lifestyle for homeless youth. He is also a motivational speaker, telling his story at schools, churches, festivals, and community related events throughout North Carolina. And, a book, S.K.I.D Kids, has even been written about Matt’s story aimed at building confidence and self-esteem among youth. Murphy says he is just doing his part to carry on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision.
“Dr. King was led by God and was committed to his dream, no matter what the costs were,” says Murphy. “Dr. King’s dream inspires me to do my best on the track, to be a role model for the younger generation, and to realize that my dream to become a professional race car driver is possible.”
Matt Murphy will take his next step when the PASS Pro Late Models join the PASS South Super Late Model division in kicking off the 2015 season on Saturday, March 7 at Dillon Motor Speedway as part of the 10th Annual South Carolina Clash. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com. And, don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Sources: Alan Dietz/PASS PR