Welcome to our series, #WHYoming.
We are highlighting people from around our communities and asking them a few questions. We want to learn a little about them and see why they chose this great state to raise their families, start their businesses, or simply to ask — Why Wyoming?
For this week’s #WHYoming, I had a chance to talk with Shawn Murphy, local road course racer and automotive technician. Shawn has been racing for about 20 years, starting with dirt bikes before eventually making his way to road course racing. He holds several records in racing and won the NASA Nationals in Time Trials. He’s even the only racer from Wyoming to hold a track record at Utah Motorsports Campus, to his knowledge.
Shawn has lived in Wyoming since he was 10 years old and loves this state he calls home. He is a father and a husband and he is happy to be raising his son with his wife in Rock Springs. Shawn is proud to be part of our community, and he’s another example of one of the great people who live here in Sweetwater County.
Shawn, what do you do for a living?
I’m an automotive technician.
What do you enjoy about your job?
It’s something different every day and is always challenging me.
How did you get into racing?
I first started racing dirt bikes, then moved to sport bikes, drag racing and finally road course racing my Subaru. In all I’ve been racing close to 20 years.
What are some of your accomplishments in racing?
Most notably I won the NASA Nationals in Time Trials, I currently hold six track records at Utah Motorsports Campus in Tooele Utah and have gained sponsorships through multiple company’s like LYFE Motorsport, The Boost Creep and IAG.
What do you enjoy about racing?
I love the competition. Always pushing myself to be just a little bit faster than everyone else. Ive met the most amazing people while racing; people I call family now. I’ve had the opportunity to travel the US and even go to Australia helping a race team out being a mechanic.
How did you end up in Green River?
I’m originally from Idaho but moved when I was 10 to Kemmerer because of my Fathers job. We were there for 3 years and moved again to Green River for my Dads work. I graduated from Green River and moved to Rock Springs for work.
What do you appreciate most about our community?
I appreciate this community’s willingness to come together and help anyone in need. It’s a rare quality you rarely see anywhere else.
What are some of your hobbies?
My main hobby is racing and working on cars but I also enjoy snowboarding.
If you could give one brief piece of advice, what would it be?
Be kind and never give up on what you love.
Where is your favorite place to hang out in Sweetwater County?
I really don’t have a favorite place to hang out. You can usually find me at home with my beautiful wife and amazing son or anywhere my friends are, whether it be in a garage or having a bbq.
Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
It would be a toss up between Ryan Reynolds or Paul Rudd. Both of those guys are hilarious to me and if you’ve ever hung out with me and my friends you’d see it’s a constant comedy show.
What would you sing at karaoke?
Anything from Sublime.
How would your friends describe you?
That I’m a giving person.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Becoming a father to an amazing little boy.
What is something unique about you?
To my knowledge, I’m the only track record holder at Utah Motorsports Campus in Wyoming.
Why do you choose to live in Wyoming?
The people and open spaces. Wyoming has some of the kindest people I’ve ever met and being able to drive 15 minutes and be in some of the most beautiful country around.
