Driver: Chris Murray
Hometown: Fair Haven, VT
Date of Birth: 11/15/90
Family: Girlfriend – Morgan; Children – Aleah, Mia, Tucker
Favorite Food: Shepherd’s Pie
Hobbies: Racing, Demolition Derby
Started Racing: 2005
Accomplishments: Devil’s Bowl Speedway Super Stock Champion (Dirt 3/10-mile – 2017); Albany-Saratoga Speedway Novice Sportsman Champion (2014)
Division: Super Stock
Car No.: 7
Car: Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Car Owner: Chris Murray
Crew Chief: Chris Murray
Sponsors: Rosen & Berger Auto Recyclers, Markie Roofing & Spray Foam, Carez Kidz Club
Chris Murray in victory lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on July 9, 2017. (Barry Snelling/DBS Media photo)
“My uncle Bob Clark owned Carl Vladyka’s car when I was a kid. He bought me a go-kart when I was 10 years old and we raced that for five years. Then when I was old enough I got a four-cylinder car and raced out of Mike LaFond’s garage.”
Did you have a favorite driver before you started racing?
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. has always been my favorite NASCAR driver. I kind of rooted for everybody at home – I never really had a favorite. I’ve always liked Brett Hearn over at Malta.”
What is your favorite moment of your racing career?
“Probably my win in the open show at Legion Speedway (in 2016). That was my first win in a headline Sportsman Modified division.”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
“We went to Accord Speedway for The Gobbler a couple years ago. We missed qualifying by one spot in the heat, so we were in a rush for the consi. We were grinding tires when they called for the lineup, and we never tightened the lugs on the right-front. We were in a qualified spot with two laps to go when the wheel fell off, so we got to sit in the stands and watch the rest of the show.”
Chris Murray (#7) racing with Bill Duprey at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on July 3, 2017. (Barry Snelling/DBS Media photo)
“I get along with pretty much everyone, I think. There’s nobody that I’m intimidated by, but I bet a few people might think that I’m a rival of theirs!”
If you couldn’t drive your car, who would you want to be your substitute?
“I’d say Randy Alger. He respects other people’s equipment and he’s a fairly good driver.”
Tell us about your demolition derby experience.
“I’ve been doing it since 2012, and we take it pretty serious and travel around. I’ve won a few of them. I haven’t won the Vermont State championship yet, but I’ve been second and third. We won the Vermont Team championship in Rutland, and I won the New England championship in Rutland in 2015. I actually missed opening day at Devil’s Bowl this year because we were in Ohio at a derby, and we just got back from one in Kansas on Monday.”
Are you looking forward to the new ½-mile dirt track at Devil’s Bowl?
“Yeah, it should be pretty fun. I think it’ll bring back old memories for me – I raced a Limited a few times on the old track in 2009 before it went to asphalt.”
What are your racing goals for 2018?
“I want to win some races and hopefully another championship. We’ve thought about moving up, but we’re trying to move into a new house soon so we’re going to stay focused on the Super Stock before moving up to a Sportsman car again. I kept my car and I’ve also got a new car for 2018, so we’ll be ready.”