Sep 26, 2020 |     

BY SOUZA MEDIA

SEEKONK, Mass. — For the second time in her Seekonk Speedway career, Crystal Murray was holding the checkered flag at the end of the Sport 4 feature. Murray, who started on the outside pole, dropped off the front row quickly, but slowly worked her way back to the top and never gave up the lead once she took it.

With just three weeks left in the season, Seekonk race teams returned to the third-mile to continue the Everett’s Auto Parts (Brockton, MA) Diamond Jubilee Series — with no fans in the grandstands due to COVID-19 regulations from the state of Massachusetts.

Murray took the top spot just before the halfway point, but the final 12 laps didn’t go without a major challenge. Murray had to fend-off upcoming driver Tyler Duhancik, Tyler Almeida and more of her competitors in the final circuits. While she jumped out front on the final restart, the battle was between Duhancik, Almeida and Lopes.

Duhancik inched away from the others, and Almeida and Lopes went forward with a slamming battle for third. It was Murray who sealed her first win of the year, followed by Duhancik, Lopes, AJ Manuel and Almeida. Dave Westgate was sixth, followed by Mike Lefort and Karlin Levesque.

Murray, who is spending her time at college, returned to competition at the third-mile and rolled into the winner’s circle.

The Sport 4’s return to the track with another 25-lap feature on Friday, October 2.