Murray thrilled with super Shootout berth
Rookie Cooper Murray stunned the Supercars paddock by pushing the Supercheap Auto wildcard into the Sunday Top 10 Shootout at Darwin.
Murray had strong speed in the #888 Camaro throughout the qualifying session and ended up among the big boys, being fifth fastest with an impressive 1:06.0282.
It was just 0.3216s away from leader Will Brown, whilst the wildcard was three spots ahead of the sister Triple Eight machine of Broc Feeney, who won on Saturday.
Murray’s first lap was fast enough for 10th and he improved on each run to secure a coveted Top 10 Shootout berth.
Murray said “relief” was his main emotion, having had the confidence and belief in both himself and the car to produce something special.
“A fair bit of relief,” he said.
“I knew I could do it and the belief was there and Triple Eight had supplied me with an amazing car so I just had to go out and execute.
“Unfortunately we do not have any greens left in the shootout but we will have a crack and I am just happy to be in the shootout.
“(Engineer) Wes (McDougall) was telling me the micro sectors where the time was (so) I was building up to it and after each run I knew where I could find a gain.”
Murray also impressed with his one lap speed on Saturday having set the fastest lap of Race 11.
It saw the Super2 youngster make history being just the fifth driver in Supercars/ATCC history to record the fastest lap in their first ever race.
Murray was the first since Greg Murphy 27 years ago in 1997, whilst Frank Gardner (1975) Jim McKeown (1964) and David McKay (1960) also achieved the feat.
The Supercheap Auto wildcard admitted he had learnt a lot from his first 48 laps racing in Supercars where he ended up 22nd after being spun by Jaxon Evans early.
“I had a lot of confidence from yesterday, getting the fastest lap of the race and was a lot more confident in the car after those 50 laps,” Murray said.
“It is pretty cool to be alongside the lap of the gods, good stat to the resume.
“It was a lot of mixed emotions after my first race. We got off to a good start but then it was followed by a bit of biff-and-barge and unfortunately I got turned around early in the race which turned our race into a 40-lap qualifying and practice session.
“I learnt a lot and managed to come away with the fastest lap of the race and a very competitive car which is a huge positive.
“I’ve had two days of learning and a big race under my belt, so I’m looking forward to putting my best foot forward.”
All eyes will be on Murray when the Top 10 Shootout takes place at 11.35 ACST.
Darwin Triple Crown (ACST)
Friday, June 14
Practice 1: 1: W. Brown 1:06.4153 2: J. Golding +0.0156 3: J. Le Brocq +0.0518
Qualifying: 1: J. Golding 1:05.6912 2: N. Percat +0.0742 3: M. Winterbottom +0.1515
Saturday, June 15
Practice 2: 1: W. Brown 1:06.2120 2: B. Feeney +0.3002 3: C. Waters +0.4181
Top 10 Shootout: 1: J. Golding 1:06.2302 2: B. Feeney 1:06.3091 3: Mark Winterbottom 1:06.3621
Race 11: B. Feeney 2: M. Winterbottom +8.6763 3: W. Brown +10.6426
Sunday, June 16
10.25 Qualifying
11.35 Top 10 Shootout
15.10 Race 12 (48 laps)
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