Beckman and the team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham, entered race day as the No. 2 qualifier. Their best qualifying effort came on Friday night during the second session when Beckman clocked a 3.843-second lap at 333.66 mph for the track speed record at Texas Motorplex.
"I don't have a crystal ball and I can't look to the last run at Pomona but I think if there was a must win race for the Infinite Hero car this season, I think it all boiled down to second round at Dallas," Beckman said.
During the opening round of competition on Sunday, the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T lined up against Dave Richards. Beckman got the win with his 3.908, 325.92 effort.
Beckman moved onto round two when he matched up against Don Schumacher Racing teammate and NHRA Countdown to the Championship points leader, Ron Capps.
Beckman made a great run at 3.938- (320.51) but Capps left the starting line first and got the win light.
"That was a must win against that NAPA car," Beckman said. "That represents a 40-point swing and they already had a pretty significate lead in the points and they just stretched it even further. That's a real gut check for everybody.
"That's a huge let down - especially to be that close of a race. But, we're paid professionals and we do some great things for the injured veterans through the Infinite Hero Foundation and that's definitely something for us to hang our hats on."
Aside from their performance on the racetrack, the team was part of helping the Infinite Hero Foundation issue grants to the ReBOOT program (BootCampaign.org) and Airpower Foundation (AirPowerFoundation.com).
"The foundation was able to donate $200,000 in grants because of the challenge coin program."
Beckman carries challenge coins inside his Funny Car during every pass down the racetrack and all proceeds go back to help veterans return to their everyday lives.
Beckman and the Infinite Hero team will have a weekend off before heading back to Las Vegas for the 16th annual NHRA Nationals the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"We're going to do our best to win that race then we're going to stay and test and start plans for the off-season and the 2017 season. But again, I don't see why we can't finish this year with two trophies."
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| Photo Credit: Auto Imagery |
