RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - They came together as a team and communicated like they've done this before, as the Great Race Team from Murfreesboro, made up of Rutherford County School Students, teachers and an SRO announced they placed 3rd in the XCup Division and 33rd in their overall standings. The announcement came on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

The Great Race is a cross country tour on back-roads traveling in vintage cars through North America. The race is based not on speed but on endurance along with precise timing with the driver and navigator.

And the other Rutherford County family that Dean told listeners about was the Bugg's. This father-son (Kirk and Travis) team placed 5th in the SPORTSMAN DIVISION and 21st overall. They were driving their 1961 Nash Rambler Cosmopolitan convertible.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s School Resource Officer Sgt. Scott Culp was assigned to Central Magnet School and participated in the race with his wife Jenny by his side. Jenny is also a 6th grade world history teacher at Central. Also participating in the run this year were Central graduate Matt Norman, along with Car Club President Jeremy Byrd and his son Carson, a Siegel Middle School student. Also taking turns in different seats were Central students Shawn Gourley and Annie Holland, daughter of team mechanic Dean Holland. Accompanying the team were Holland’s wife, April, and Byrd’s wife, Misty, and daughter, Emma, who followed along and cared for the students. The Race Director was Jeff Stumb.

On the Rutherford County Great Race Facebook Page, the team from Murfreesboro wrote, “We could not be more proud of this team! With 8 XCup teams and 127 total teams, we are happy with our results as a first year brand new team. Ready for next year and looking for sponsors!”

The car the crew drove was Bonnie, a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain that was numbered # 151. That car was provided by the Stones River Antique Car Club. Evidently, Bonnie has proven to be a reliable classic for the team that started the Great Race in St. Augustine, Florida and ended their journey in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Great Race is a cross county tour on back-roads traveling in vintage cars through North America. The race is based not on speed but on endurance along with precise timing with the driver and navigator.

During the last leg of the race, which was Stage 8 and 9, the team went from Garden City, Kansas to Pueblo, Colorado. After arriving in Pueblo, the students and adults got a small amount of rest and then headed through Stage 9 of the run that took them to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Awards and a banquet then unfolded for all the teams on Sunday evening.

Looking back to the previous days, Dean Holland described Stage 6 and 7 between Joplin, Missouri to Wichita, Kansas...

Going to days 5 and 6...