In July of 1920, lots of eyes at the Tacoma Speedway were on novice driver Jimmy Murphy, mechanic Ernie Olson and his Duesenberg. He was in Tacoma for the July 5, 1920, 225 mile Classic after winning the first race of the season, the inaugural at the Beverly Hills Ca. board track. Murphy raced for the Duesenberg team that had taken him on as a mechanic in 1916 and promoted him to driver in 1919. He finished 6th in the Tacoma Classic in his #12 Duesenberg. Jimmy Murphy was the shooting star of racing during his short 4 year and 9 month career, named National Racing Champion in 1922 and 1924. He was killed in a crash at Syracuse, New York, in September of 1924. (Jimmy Ralstin's Racing Home Page; www.ddavid.com/formula1/; TDL 7/6/1920, pg. 1; TNT 6/30/1920, pg. 18) Speedway 047
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HH Coburn Company, Indianapolis</div>
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