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The above photo is Chris Walters after winning the Iron Man Classic at Cordova Raceway Park on August 13th 2005.

Chris Walters is with Walters Racing of Colona, Illinois.  Chris started Drag Racing in 1999, after the purchase of a 1980 Camaro. He has ran in the point series at Cordova Raceway Park in 2000 thru 2005. Chris finished 2nd in points in Street Class - 2000. Chris received "Rookie of the Year" honors at Cordova's 2000 Season Banquet. At the 50th World Series in 2003, Chris won the Sportsman Street Division. Chris won Halloweird IX in 2004. He finished 2nd in points in Super ET Class in 2005. Chris has received the "Top End Club" award, for attending all point races, every year they have participated in point series.  In 2005 Chris won an IHRA Ironman in Super ET Class at the midseason race and was runner up in the midseason Sudsy Shootout. Several non points events that Walters Racing have participated in are as follows: NS CA Nationals, Slingshot Nationals & Thunderfest, IHRA Nationals, World Series of Drag Racing, Footbrake 500, Oktoberfest of Drag Racing, Halloweird, Show Me the Money, DragNews All-Star Series and Sponsor Race Showdown.

 

 

The above photo is Mike Murphy Jr. He Won the IMCA Late Model Rookie of the Year for 2005.

Mike Murphy can remember sitting in Gary Webb's race car at the tender age of five or six and having his picture taken. He made more racing memories this year as IMCA's Late Model rookie of the year. "I'd have never guessed we'd win this award," said Murphy, who got his start in the spot with the assistance of two time national champion Rob Toland and won a bomber title at East Moline before he was asked if he'd be interested in taking over the Randy Swanson owned ride.
"I just jumped right on it. Randy is about the easiest guy in the world to drive for," said Murphy. "One of the reasons why we did so well this year was because our objective was to have fun." Racing two and occasionally three nights a week, Murphy won once and had another 14 top five finishes in 38 starts. His first victory came July 30th at 34 Raceway. Murphy was 14th in the national standings, which were well represented by his regular foes, and fifth in points at Quad City Speedway. He's already looking forward to his sophomore campaign. "Hopefully, I'll be able to run for the Deery Series rookie of the year of the year and race two or three nights a week," he said. "I'd really like to travel more. I still haven't raced on a half mile track yet, but I know I'll get my chance at it."

HIS CREW:
Randall Verplaste, Doug Stafford, Gene Huggart and Joey Sowell.
HIS SPONSORS:
Steve's Nursey and the Construction Group, both of Geneseo; J & J Campers, Randy's Lawn Care, Leisure Time Billards, and the Rock River Rodders, all of East Moline: Riverbend Pizza Place of Port Byron; Mediacom High Speed Internet and Option Care Medical Supplies, both of Moline; B & K Sportswear of Andalusia; Anchor Lumber of Sllvis; and BJ's Gas & Liquor of Colona.
The above article was in the October issue of Inside IMCA.

The above photo is Mike Murphy Jr. receiving his National Award for IMCA 2005 Rookie of the Year, at the awards banquet held at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines, Iowa in November 2005..