McMurrough Racing crew anxiously waited at the finish line of the 2013 Best In The Desert Silver State 300, as TJ and Stephanie were just mere seconds from making their last left hand turn of the race and coming into the checkered flag. Even though the finish is where winners are announced, it is not where the race is won. “They say the race is won at the shop and I believe it” said TJ, driver and owner of Champion Race Works. After the Mint 400 riddled the truck with a broken transmission, the crew had 6 weeks the turn the truck around and get it prepped and ready for the 298 mile race in Caliente, NV.

After qualifying 16th, TJ and Stephanie knew that they would need to drive smart and not over drive the truck. As the truck staged for the start of the race, the crew was setting up for their fuel pit at RM 148 and other visual pits throughout the course. Another key to winning a race like this is having a flawless fuel stop and no mistakes during the race.

The Class 1 car of Justin Lofton lined up at the start and at 9:30am sharp the race started. Lofton would quickly set the pace of the race and by the time the #80 McMurrough truck left the starting line, they would have 7 minutes and 30 seconds to make up on the leader.  Hairpin turns and cliffs are apparent in this point to point style course and you also have to factor in the silt, dust and 135mph roads. It takes a talented and experienced driver to navigate this race.With half of the course behind them and no mistakes in driving, TJ and Stephanie pulled into pit-4 where the crew was ready. Two new BFG tires and fuel topped off, the #80 truck was on the gas and back on the course in no time. With a 45 second pit stop and no one passing them during their pit, they were now on the hunt for the win. Clear dust didn’t last for long as the top trucks started catching one another; Stephanie kept her eyes on the GPS and navigated TJ through the thick, heavy Nevada dust. “We have learned to work really well together inside the truck” Stephanie stated, “I really trust TJ to get us to the finish safely but also get us a win.”

The first car on the road was still Lofton and just as the dust settled from a UTV crossing the finish, Lofton would come barreling around that silty last left turn. Not long after him the rest of the top finishers would come in. Wanting the win, TJ and Stephanie kept pushing and didn’t lift until they crossed the finish. Word quickly spread that the #80 McMurrough Racing, Trick Truck was the overall winner.Official results posted, penalties were assessed and by 1 minute and 26 seconds, TJ and Stephanie officially overall the 2013 Silver State 300, with a finishing time of 5 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds. Sitting 6th in points going into the next race, it is now back to the shop and time to prep for the infamous Vegas To Reno.

McMurrough Racing would like to thank their crew, King Racing Shocks, Vision X Lighting, Kroyer Racing Engines and Drivetrain, Patrick’s Signs, Butch’s Speed Shop, Jugz Sunglasses, Hostyle, Magnum Ink, Bfgoodrich Tires, TCS and many others who helped make this win possible!