Champions were crowned this past weekend in the 2024 Radical Cup North America season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Crown Racing with APEX Motor Club took home the Pro 1340 team championship title for the second consecutive season, after a podium lockout in the first race of the weekend. Crown Racing went on to secure multiple podium results throughout the weekend and three separate drivers were able to leave Wine Country with hardware in hand.
Newcomers to the team, Matt McMurry and Anders Fjordbach, showed up and delivered this weekend, with a sweep of the first Pro 1340 podium of the weekend, led by Crown Racing and Radical Cup veteran, Chris McMurry. Chris started behind both of his teammates but managed to make up some considerable ground, and ultimately, take the top step of the podium. The first, second, and third place finishes, along with Anders’ pole position points for race one, solidified the team’s championship title with two races left on the docket.
Anders Fjordbach took the fastest lap in the Pro 1340 class in race one, placing him in the pole position for the start of race two. Holding steady on the top spot for over half the race, contact with another driver caused Fjordbach to exit to the pits for a splitter patch-up, leaving the #1 position open for Chris McMurry. Chris fell back to third after a courageous battle for the lead, leaving the door open for his son, Matt McMurry, to battle for his inaugural win in the series. Matt took the lead at roughly the same time that the white flag was displayed and kept the position. Chris took third in race two, and Anders took seventh.
The driver’s championship came down to the final race of the weekend, on Saturday afternoon. Chris McMurry and Suellio Almeida had been going blow for blow all season long. Fjordbach, again, started this race from pole position. The third and final race of the season included a mandatory, and meticulously timed, pit stop.
With fans on the edges of their seats, it seemed as though Chris McMurry had the Pro 1340 driver title in the bag. However, an unfortunate pit stop time penalty was issued, requiring him to take a drive-through penalty, mid-race. Despite a valiant season-long effort, Chris finished second in the Pro 1340 championship standings, and fifth in race three. He closely trailed his son, Matt, in second place, who was able to claim his third podium of the weekend. Anders Fjordbach showed his strength continuously throughout the three-day series. He closed his Radical Cup North America debut with his first career win on American soil.
“I’m so proud of the Crown Racing team this weekend,” explained Team Manager Joey Martin. “We clinched the Pro 1340 team championship, swept the top step of the podium in all three races, and both Anders and Matt got their first Radical Cup wins in their first [ever] series event. Chris fell just short of the Pro 1340 driver championship that came all the way down to the wire, but what a heroic season he’s had to claim runner-up in the championship. I have to give a huge thank you to our friends at APEX Motor Club for all they do for the team. I also want to thank our crew, both those who helped out at the track and in the shop. This season was a huge group effort, and each one of our team members helped us achieve this award.”
That wraps up Crown Racing’s Radical Cup adventures, but you can still follow along with the monthly APEX Race Series schedule on Crown Racing’s social media accounts.
For more information on Crown Racing or to contact Joey Martin, please email Joey Martin at jmartin@crownconceptsusa.com or by phone at 520.900.7586. Crown Racing can also be found online on X, Facebook, and Instagram by searching “Crown Concepts” or by visiting their website, www.CrownConceptsUSA.com.
Photo Credit: RTD Media