HANFORD, Calif. – Retired Australian sprint car driver Peter Murphy has purchased Keller Auto Speedway, located on the grounds of California’s Kings County Fairgrounds.
The purchase became official on Friday following a fair board meeting. Murphy, who retired from racing following a near-fatal crash at California’s Antioch Speedway in 2013, takes over ownership of the facility from Morse Racing Promotions.
“We weren’t looking to sell, but there were some rumors that Peter was interested in running a track,” said Morse Racing Promotions’ Brandon Morse in a press release posted on Facebook. “Peter has the time, effort and is universally loved by the racing community, he will do a great job. We wanted to make sure it was going to go to a quality guy like Pete.”
Despite retiring from racing as the result of the crash at Antioch, Murphy has remained involved in motorsports. He promotes an annual event, the Peter Murphy Classic, at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., every year.
Now he’ll have a deeper foothold in the California racing scene as owner of Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford, Calif.
“I am just excited about this opportunity to run a great track like Hanford,” Murphy said. “My juices get flowing every year when the Peter Murphy Classic comes around. I am ready to take the next step and be just like (President Donald) Trump, I want to make racing great again.”
Keller Auto Speedway will open its season on Feb. 22. The Kings of Thunder Winged 360 Sprint Car Series, the Western RaceSaver Sprint Cars and IMCA A Modifieds will be on the card.