The 2007 Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year in the ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division Presented by GM Performance Parts is Sean Murphy! The Fort Lauderdale, Florida driver won the prestigious Rookie title by a mere Two (2) points over fellow rookie, Derek Thorn (1649-1647).
The 2007 ASALMS Challenge Division Season Championships / USA Digital 200 was at the Five Flags (FL) Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and going into the 11th race of the Fifth Anniversary 2007 season, Murphy carried a 22-point lead over Derek Thorn in the chase for the freshman title.
Murphy, who was the fastest car all day in Practice, backed that up with his Second straight ARP Bodies/Aluminum Racing Products Fast Qualifier Award of the season by setting a new ASALMS track record on the abrasive 0.500 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval in the panhandle of the Sunshine State. More importantly, Murphy added Five (5) more points to his rookie points lead over Thorn.
So going into the USA Digital 200, Murphy simply needed to stay withing Five positions of Thorn and the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title was his. Things got complicated however on Lap 65 when Thorn briefly took the lead from eventual winner, Charlie Menard and more importantly, erased Murphy’s extra five point cushion by earning five points himself for leading a lap so now the margin was four positions for Murphy.
“I saw Derek take the lead and I thought, oh man I better get going here or else I’m in trouble. ” Stated Murphy as he reflected on his quest for the Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year title. “I was thinking that if he led the most laps, I may lose this deal, so I tried to turn up the wick some and just see what happens. ”
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