2019 California Hot Rod Reunion

Murphy Finishes 3rd in 2019 Top Fuel Points Race

Bakersfield, California, Oct.2019 - The 28th California Hot Rod Reunion is in the books as is the 2019 NHRA Heritage Series. In Top Fuel the event win and World Championship title went to Mendy Fry for the second straight year.

For Jim Murphy that was not the end game he hoped to have at the end of a hard fought 2019 campaign. He and partner Daniel Wilkison, along with a team they want, never gave up the 7 race battle. In the end it was a string of freak mechanical issues, ill-fated learning experiences, tests gone wrong and some really bad luck. No regrets, no excuses. On to 2020.

But first we will close out the season of our WW2 Racing coverage on the 2019 CHRR.

Leading off, a few candid shots from Friday afternoon when the team was waiting for the first qualifying session.

QUALIFYING SESSION ONE

The third pair of the first of three qualifying sessions would be a classic final round match up at any drag race. 76 year old Jim Murphy out of Santa Rosa, CA, in his "WW2 Racing" entry up against newly crowned 2019 Top Fuel Champion Mendy Fry from Los Angeles driving the High Speed Motorsports car.

Wilkison made the final adjustments to the fuel system.

Murphy cane out of the box with a solid 5.730 at 247.07 which was good for #2 for the day. Fry grabbed the #1 spot with a 5.595 at just 237.42.

QUALIFYING SESSION TWO

For Q2 Murphy was paired with rookie Frank McBee Jr. out for his first Top Fuel event.

Murphy's aggressive launch didn't last long and he lit up the tires before the tree.

Murphy coasted through already planning for session 3.

QUALIFYING SESSION THREE

For the third and final session Murphy had Tyler Hilton in the other lane.

Murphy wrapped up qualifying with Tim Cullinan in the other lane.

Murphy laid down a 5.98 at 235.19. His Q1 5.730 at 247.07 ended up #3 going into Sunday. Hilton's 6.17 at 173.12 did not improve on his 5.982 but that wasn't enough to make the 8 car show.

ELIMINATIONS ROUND ONE

Murphy was matched with Rick McGee to see who would advance to round two.

McGee left first putting .050 in his bank but he didn't need it.

As McGee was getting a clean trip, Murphy started smoking the tires before the tree.

Murphy admitted that 15 grams added to the clutch was too much. After spending most of the season getting the engine "happy", Murphy and Wilkison are doing a full-on clutch program over the winter.

That warps a season that didn't go as we hoped but we will go into 2020 older and wiser once again committed to do what needs to be done to win a 5th championship. We want to thank all our sponsors, family and fans who supported our efforts and promise to do better next year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Jim Murphy and WW2 Racing.

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