Richard Murtaugh took the lead on the second lap and stayed in front for the rest of Wednesday night's DIRTcar Sportsman Series feature at Land of Legends Raceway in Canandaigua, earning his first series victory of the season.
Cody McPherson climbed from 21st to second in the 31-car field, a finish that secured the DIRTcar Sportsman Series West Region championship during the Ontario County Fair event.
Murtaugh entered the 30-lap feature after setting the fastest qualifying time and winning his heat race. Starting sixth, he moved to third on the opening lap before taking the lead one lap later and leading the final 29 laps.
The victory paid $1,000 and strengthened Murtaugh's position in the Central Region standings. Championship challenger Hunter Hollenbeck finished seventh with one race remaining on the region's schedule.
Karl Comfort finished third, followed by Justin Liechti in fourth and Evan Nugent in fifth. Austin Germinio placed sixth ahead of Hollenbeck.
The Central Region championship is scheduled to be decided Saturday, July 25, at Fulton Speedway. That 30-lap feature will also pay $1,000 to the winner.
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