Bakersfield,
CA - October 16 - 18, 2009: The 18th edition of the California Hot
Rod Reunion is in the record books and for Jim Murphy, Tim Beebe
and the rest of the WW2 Racing team it brought a "pretty
good" season to an end.
Coming to Bakersfield
on the heals of a strong runner-up finish at the 2009 Governors
Cup in September, Murphy and company had high expectations for
the CHRR. Coming in they were sitting #3 in the 2009 Hot Rod
Heritage Racing Series points standings (which is where Murphy
ended up) and although the #1 spot was pretty much out of reach
with just four rounds of racing left, they still felt they could
win the race and possibly move to #2.
After qualifying
#6 with a solid 5.978 at 250.97 Murphy got a single in round
one when Brendan Murry broke a steering arm backing up from his
burnout. However in round two there would be a race and what
a dandy it was. After surprising most everybody by qualifying
#3, Rick Williamson advanced to meet Murphy on Sunday. Based
on their round one times, Murphy had lane choice and was favored
to advance.
Lane choice aside,
the Murphy v Williamson match-up proved to be the closest top
fuel race of the weekend with Murphy going home after losing
by just 0.0094 seconds (approximately 3 feet). Nobody likes to
lose but when you're in a battle like that its not quite as tough.
Murphy and the team was pleased with the weekend and gave praise
for a safe and productive season.
Full coverage
and photos below: