Murphy, "Jimmy" (James A.)
Auto Racing
b. 1895, San Francisco, CA
d. Sept. 22, 1924
In a career that lasted only five years, Murphy established himself as one of the greatest drivers ever, winning seventeen races and two national driving championships. He entered racing as Tommy Milton's riding mechanic in 1918 and drove in his first race in late 1919.
One of Murphy's biggest victories was the French Grand Prix in 1921, the year he won his first driving championship. It was the last time an American driver won a Grand Prix in an American-built car until Dan Gurney did it in 1968.
Murphy won the 1922 Indy 500 and finished third in both 1923 and 1924. After clinching his second driving championship in 1924, Murphy planned to retire from competition. However, he had promised the promoter of dirt track races in Syracuse, New York, to enter a race there in September. His car hit the wooden inside rail and a splinter pierced his heart, killing him instantly.