BARBERVILLE, Fla. — After changing into a DIRTcar Sportsman Tremendous DIRT Week champion final yr, Richard Murtaugh is able to take his subsequent massive step.
The Fulton, N.Y., driver will drive a Massive Block Modified for the primary time when the Tremendous DIRTcar Sequence kicks off its 2026 season at Volusia Speedway Park throughout Federated Auto Components DIRTcar Nationals, Feb. 11-14.
It’s a chance that began with a easy telephone name previous to Tremendous DIRT Week 53.
“I used to be on the storage engaged on the Tremendous DIRT Week automotive, and I bought a telephone name from John McPhee,” Murtaugh mentioned. “He mentioned he’s on the lookout for a driver for 2026 to run his Massive Block and take over the seat. So, we talked for some time, and I instructed him I used to be and simply wanted to get extra particulars.
“Because the weeks went on, we talked and figured we’d hit up Volusia and go from there.”
Whereas DIRTcar Nationals would be the first time he’ll formally race McPhee’s No. 22 automotive, he gained’t be getting within the automotive for the primary time at Volusia. Murtaugh is predicted to check at All-Tech Speedway following the ultimate night time of Filth Observe Digest’s Showdown within the Sunshine State, the place he’ll compete in a Sportsman.
Even with little expertise, he mentioned he isn’t nervous, however assured.
“We bought a great piece beneath us,” Murtaugh mentioned. “I’ve been doing a whole lot of analysis, and I’ve been speaking with all the blokes at DIG Race Merchandise. We took the automotive over there, and bought it scaled up, went by it, and we’re trying ahead to attending to Volusia.”
The 4 nights with the Tremendous DIRTcar Sequence at DIRTcar Nationals are the one races Murtaugh has deliberate with McPhee – for now. He nonetheless plans on operating a full Sportsman schedule in his family-owned No. 33 automotive, and can chase one other Nice Lakes 75 win at Tremendous DIRT Week 54.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you gained’t see him again within the Massive Block all through the season.
“They gave me the chance to select and select what I wished to do,” Murtaugh mentioned. “However I instructed them I used to be fairly packed in 2026 already with the Sportsman stuff. I’m very devoted and actually need to win a few championships in that, and win Tremendous DIRT Week once more, and get the Vermont 200.
“These are a number of the races I’m specializing in in 2026, doing the Sportsman stuff once more, and a few particular occasions within the Massive Block automotive. 2027 could also be a completely totally different deal the place we run a Massive Block weekly. We’ll know extra after Volusia.”
Whereas Murtaugh is assured about racing at DIRTcar Nationals, he’s not reaching for unattainable objectives. He mentioned he’s going to begin off small and goal to make each Function, whereas absorbing his probability to race in opposition to the highest drivers within the Northeast.
“It’s going to be very thrilling racing in opposition to the blokes I’ve grown up watching,” Murtaugh mentioned. “I speak with a lot of the Massive Block guys on a regular basis, so I’m very acquainted with all the blokes, and so they’ve already been a whole lot of assist. I’m trying ahead to racing in opposition to the highest guys and seeing what we will do. I do know it’s going to be an enormous studying curve.”
