Racing took center stage during the final day of the 2017 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway Park as eliminations took place in each of the categories.

Jim Murphy took the win in Nostalgia Top Fuel, defeating James Young in the final round. Murphy was in his fifth consecutive final round, but had yet to tally a win in more than two years.

His dragster is tuned by legendary crew chief Roland Leong, who kept the car going rounds during the day. Murphy trailed at the start of the run but was able to get around Young with a winning run of 5.713-seconds at 257.33 mph to the trailing run of Young at 5.920 at 253.56. Murphy, the 2013 Nostalgia Top Fuel champion, celebrated his birthday Monday and takes the win as a belated present.

“The win is a monkey off my back as we kept having fluke things happen and it was one thing after another,” said Murphy. “We won this race in 2013 and went on to win the championship so maybe this will be an omen and we are leading the points now moving up from second.”

Winners in the other racing included Don Nave in 7.0 Pro, Darrell Wathen in 7.5 Eliminator, Nostalgia Super Stock was Doug Duell, Competition Eliminator was won by Skeeter Wayne, Top Stock Eliminator was John Meinelt, Modified Eliminator was Larry Key, the Gas Eliminator winner was Pat Freels, 348/409 Eliminator winner was Bryan Fugate, Hot Rod Eliminator was won by Chad Brewer, and Geezer Gassers was won by John Swiek.

NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL

Jim Murphy, Neil & Parks, 5.713, 257.33 def. James Young, FED, 5.920, 253.56.

7.0 PRO

Don Nave, Lake City Chs, 8.982, 95.66 def. Ernie Lipinski, Neil & Parks, Foul – Red Light.

7.5 PRO

Darrell Wathen, Willys, 7.495, 172.70 def. Jeffrey Ferguson Jr., Spitzer, 7.488, 169.17.

NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK

Doug Duell, Plymouth, 9.503, 138.33 def. Diana Bookout, Chevelle, 9.998, 134.32.

COMP ELIMINATOR

Skeeter Wayne, Chevy, 9.498, 127.90 def. Bart Boles, Young, Foul – Red Light.

TOP STOCK ELIMINATOR

John Meinelt, Camaro, 11.684, 98.45 def. Frankie Riggs, Cuda, 12.409, 113.90.

MODIFIED ELIMINATOR

Larry Key, Chevy II, 12.320, 87.46 def. Greg Carta, Camaro RS, 22.375, 32.78.

348/409

Bryan Fugate, Impala SS, 11.472, 118.58 def. Dave Coots, Impala, Foul – Red Light.

GAS ELIMINATOR

Pat Freels, Camaro, 10.091, 129.92 def. Dan Hobbs, Thunderbird, 8.632, 156.86.

GEEZER GASSERS

John Swiek, Chevy CPE, 10.060, 129.14 def. Dustin Corn, Corvette, Foul – Red Light.

HOT ROD ELIMINATOR

Chad Brewer, Nova, 10.825, 118.41 def. Bear Nichols, Nova, 10.375, 125.02.