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Murphy Misses 5th March
Meet Win by One Round
The 2005
edition of Nostalgia Drag Racing's premier event was marked with
a mixed bag of weather, several new winners - some close calls
and upsets. In spite of rising gas prices, for the forty sixth
year in a row a full complement of race cars (including a record
25 Top Fuel cars) invaded the hallowed grounds of Fomosa Raceway
and gave the SRO crowd one hell of a show.
Backing
up to Top Fuel Friday, this years March Meet followed the successful
16 car format used at the 2004 CHRR. There would be only two
qualifying sessions (one Friday and one Saturday) with the first
round going off Saturday afternoon. This would leave eight cars
for Sunday and make for a smoother running show. When all was
said and done the field was much tighter than previous years
with a 6.17 bump spot. However, Jim Murphy's ET and Jack Harris'
speed records were never in jeopardy with most cars in the 5.90
range all weekend.
After
qualifying # 2 with a strong 5.91 at 245, Murphy's hopes for
a unprecedented fifth March Meet win were high. Those hopes stayed
in tact until the semi finals when the front end came up at half
track forcing Jim out of the groove. When he brought the front
wheels down the rear tires went up in smoke ending any chance
he had of winning the race or event. Full story below.
Note:
The Goodguys put together a television package and this March
Meet will be the first nostalgia event to be televised nationwide.
Murphy was interviewed and had an on-board camera for the show.
The first airing will be April 9, 2005 on Speed Channel. Check
your local listings for the broadcast time in your area.
Final
Top Fuel Qualifying
1. Brad Thompson
- 5.891 @ 245.76
2. Jim Murphy - 5.912 @ 248.68
3. Bill Dunlap - 5.912 @ 246.23
4. Rick White - 5.921 @ 247.72
5. Rick McGee - 5.949 @ 227.96
6. Howard Haight - 5.978 @ 255.24
7. Lee Jennings - 5.990 @ 248.68
8. Jason Richey - 5.995 @ 253.66 |
9. Bob
Hallock - 6.009 @ 225.67
10. Brett Harris - 6.042 @ 212.01
11. Denver Schutz - 6.045 @ 244.03
12. Sean Bellemeur - 6.080 239.61
13. Terry Cox - 6.100 @ 238.09
14. Mendy Fry - 6.148 @ 198.93
15. Brendan Murry - 6.166 @ 224.60
16. Scott Mason - 6.170 @ 239.04 |
After unloading and setting up at the
track Thursday, Jim and Judy went to the Double Tree Hotel for
the first "official" function of the event - the Goodguys
Awards Banquet. All the 2004 champions and runner-ups were honored
and received a very classy trophy and other goodies. 2003 Champion,
Murphy would receive his accolades for his # 2 finish in the
2004 Top Fuel Championships. No one would be surprised to see
him up here next year as the 2005 Champion.
Friday
The first and only qualifying
session of the day was schedule for for 3 p.m. so the morning
was laid back with time for visiting and making final adjustments
to the engine.
About
an hour before the first qualifying session the car is warmed
up and checked for any potential problems.
Prior to his first run,
Murphy checks the track temperature. This is a very important
factor on what tune-up tweaks are made in the staging lanes.
After three years with
its OSH paint scheme, Jim Murphy's "WW2 Racing" digger
is now sporting a new (and very green) body. For his first session
Murphy was paired with Terry Cox.
Crew
Chief, Tim Beebe gives Murphy the OK to move to the line.
Murphy
left hard and qualified near the top with a solid 5.973 at 248.68.
After
the first session the crew was busy replacing some damaged pistons,
a problem that would persist throughout the weekend.
Saturday
Another
80 degree day and the second
and last qualifying session started at 11:30 a.m. - 90 minutes
late. Murphy heats his tires for his pairing with rookie, Rick
Williamson.
As he
always does, Dave Thornhill backs Murphy up in his tracks after
the burnout.
Murphy improves his Friday time and goes to # 2 with
a 5.912 at 243.17.
The bad news was he
disappeared behind a wall of smoke burning 3 pistons... a problem
he'd have all weekend.
With first round of eliminations just 3 hours off,
the crew thrashed to fix the damage.
With everything repaired,
the car gets its final prep for round one of racing.
Round One of
Eliminations
First round of racing started at 3:20
pm so the track was still on the warm side. Murphy would be paired
with the # 15 qualifier, Brendan Murry. Although the two are
friends, I have a feeling that over the last few years Brendan
is tired of looking at back end of the WW2 Racing car. Murphy
seems to have his number.
Murry had .04 in the
bank at the hit but Murphy drove right around the Chevy car and
took the win with a 5.973 at 247.52.
Never one to give up,
Murry hung in with a 6.220 at 222.00 and got a good view of Murphy
nipping three more pistons but moving to round two on Sunday.
Sunday Eliminations
After two warm and sunny
days Sunday dawned overcast, drizzly and cool... it never got
much better. Due to the weather the entire show started an hour
late. In round two of eliminations Murphy would meet the potent
Chevy car of Lee Jennings Sr.
Both drivers left together
and Murphy held on to win a great drag race 5.927 at 247.66 to
Jennings 5.997 at 226.58.
At the finish line it was Murphy by half a car.
After replacing three more pistons the crew had the
car back together for the semis.
Murphy checks the computer during the warm-up.
For Sunday the Speed Channel crew fitting Murphy
with this "lipstick" camera on the roll cage. Look
for these shots to be dynamite during the broadcast.
The semi finals pitted Murphy against veteran Howard
Haight. Admittedly, Haight stated before the match that he could
not remember ever beating Jim. Never say never...
Haight left first but Murphy was already half a tenth
at the 330' mark. But due to the fact he needed just another
10 lbs. on the front end the front wheels came up and Murphy
couldn't steer the car. It carried the wheels just a little above
the ground to past the 400" mark driving the car out of
the groove. When Murphy brought it down it got loose and spun
the tires. That's all Haight for the win as his 5.954 at 237.71
would have been hard to catch.
See the WW2
Racing Schedule for upcoming events
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