CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 28, 2016) —“Fast” Jack Beckman, three-time event winner at the NHRA Nationals here at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix, missed out on the opportunity to become a four-time winner after a second round loss on race day.
The 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Series Funny Car champion topped 2014 race winner Alexis DeJoria in the first round after laying down a 3.939-second pass at 318.39 mph. The Terry Chandler-sponsored Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T put down too much power in the second round against Force, resulting in the dreaded tire shake.
“This is a new chassis that we literally had one run on before we unloaded it at Pomona and it had never been to the finish line until the third run at Pomona,” Beckman said. “We still came into Sunday optimistic and we unloaded with a 3.93 in the first round and took the win light against Alexis. We had to go back up there and push hard against John and it blew the tires loose.”
It’s been a rough couple weeks for Beckman at this Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. During preseason testing, he hurt his car down the track in an almost-unheard of wheel stand. The result was a bent chassis, forcing crew chief Jimmy Prock and his team to go to a brand new car for the remainder of testing and for the first event of the season in Pomona, where Beckman put it on the pole with a 3.888-second ET.
“I feel like, right now, this car is speaking just a bit of a different language than the last car and it’s up to us to listen to it and figure out what it wants,” Beckman said. “We’re going to hustle back to the shop and front-half last year’s car, which is the car we intended to start the season with until it wheel stood and got bent at the preseason test. We’ve got two weeks to figure out which car we feel we have the best chance with at Gainesville, but what we want to make sure is that we have two race-ready race cars.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Series takes a week off, resuming action in two weeks at the NHRA Gatornationals near Gainesville, Fla.
FUNNY CAR
Event Winner: Tim Wilkerson
No. 1 Qualifier: Ron Capps (DSR) 3.925 sec., 320.89 mph
Jack Beckman, Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car
2016 NHRA Nationals, Second of 24 NHRA Mello Yello Racing Series events
QUALIFIED: No. 6
ELIMINATIONS
Round 1: Beckman (3.939 at 318.39) defeats Alexis DeJoria (3.964 at 320.740).
Round 2: John Force (4.014 at 319.070 defeats Beckman (6.082 at 110.620)
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY: 6.957 sec., 85.56 mph (Session 3), 8.253 sec., 69.71 mph (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 3.993 sec., 316.08 mph (Session 1), 3.950 sec., 319.22 mph (Session 2)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(Unofficial after 2 of 24 events; DSR drivers in BOLD CAPS)
FUNNY CAR POINTS
1 RON CAPPS (1) 183
2 John Force 168
3 Robert Hight 158
4 Del Worsham 154
5 Tim Wilkerson (1) 147
6 Courtney Force 141
7 JACK BECKMAN 121
8 Alexis DeJoria 87
9 Chad Head 86
10 TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 85
11 MATT HAGAN 64
FULL ARTICLE
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
DSR: Beckman optimistic heading to track where he has experienced so much success in his career
Jack Beckman has had great success at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix. He has won the NHRA National event there three times in Nitro Funny Car: 2008, 2010 and 2011. For Beckman, each win was under entirely different circumstances.
“I have won at Wild Horse Pass when the event was in the spring time and when it used to be held in the fall. I have won on a Sunday and also claimed a victory on a Monday when race day was rained out,” said Beckman.
But there is still one win Beckman hasn’t experienced at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. He hopes this will be the weekend he crosses it off his list.
“What I haven’t done is won the NHRA Phoenix event with my crew chiefs Jimmy Prock, John Medlen, Chris Cunningham and the Infinite Hero Funny Car. I want to make that happen.”
Last week in Pomona, Beckman and the Infinite Hero team earned the No.1 qualifying spot, running 3.888 seconds at 326.16 mph Saturday at Pomona, Calif. Beckman went to the quarterfinals.
“This is a brand new car that doesn’t have that many runs on it. The more passes we make, my guys will zero in on what it wants under different track conditions. I’m so optimistic heading into Phoenix this weekend,” said Beckman.
There is another reason Beckman is a fan of the NHRA Phoenix event. It holds fond memories for the 2012 Funny Car World Champion.
“My very first NHRA national race was 1992 at Phoenix. I was driving a Super Comp dragster back then,” explained Beckman. “It was the first time I ever did a burnout in front of a crowd. This event is almost like going home for me.”
Fans at home can watch the Infinite Hero Funny Car team and all the action of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing on FOX Sports 1. An hour of qualifying coverage will air on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. EST. On Sunday FOX Sports presents Live coverage of eliminations starting at 5:00 p.m. EST.
JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero 2016 Dodge Charger R/T … wins pole in Pomona!
Last event (Feb. 12-14 at Pomona): Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to John Force
2015 Phoenix: Qualified No. 12, lost in first round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Career at Phoenix: Wins 3 (2010-11, 2008); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 5th 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1-1
2015 2nd 24 7 2 4 5 5 5 1 46-16
CAREER 229 22 22 41 64 73 16 7 298-200
Best Time, Speed: 3.884 sec.-national record (2015, Pomona 2); 328.38 (2015, Pomona 2)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(after 1 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)
FUNNY CAR POINTS
1. RON CAPPS 119
2. Del Worsham 97
3. Robert Hight 80
4. John Force 69
5. JACK BECKMAN 65
6. Courtney Force 59
7. Alexis DeJoria 55
8. Chad Head 54
9. Tim Wilkerson 33
10. MATT HAGAN 32
10. Cruz Pedregon 32
10. Gary Densham 32
13. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 31
FULL ARTICLE
“I have won at Wild Horse Pass when the event was in the spring time and when it used to be held in the fall. I have won on a Sunday and also claimed a victory on a Monday when race day was rained out,” said Beckman.
But there is still one win Beckman hasn’t experienced at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. He hopes this will be the weekend he crosses it off his list.
“What I haven’t done is won the NHRA Phoenix event with my crew chiefs Jimmy Prock, John Medlen, Chris Cunningham and the Infinite Hero Funny Car. I want to make that happen.”
Last week in Pomona, Beckman and the Infinite Hero team earned the No.1 qualifying spot, running 3.888 seconds at 326.16 mph Saturday at Pomona, Calif. Beckman went to the quarterfinals.
“This is a brand new car that doesn’t have that many runs on it. The more passes we make, my guys will zero in on what it wants under different track conditions. I’m so optimistic heading into Phoenix this weekend,” said Beckman.
There is another reason Beckman is a fan of the NHRA Phoenix event. It holds fond memories for the 2012 Funny Car World Champion.
“My very first NHRA national race was 1992 at Phoenix. I was driving a Super Comp dragster back then,” explained Beckman. “It was the first time I ever did a burnout in front of a crowd. This event is almost like going home for me.”
Fans at home can watch the Infinite Hero Funny Car team and all the action of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing on FOX Sports 1. An hour of qualifying coverage will air on Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. EST. On Sunday FOX Sports presents Live coverage of eliminations starting at 5:00 p.m. EST.
JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero 2016 Dodge Charger R/T … wins pole in Pomona!
Last event (Feb. 12-14 at Pomona): Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to John Force
2015 Phoenix: Qualified No. 12, lost in first round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Career at Phoenix: Wins 3 (2010-11, 2008); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 5th 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1-1
2015 2nd 24 7 2 4 5 5 5 1 46-16
CAREER 229 22 22 41 64 73 16 7 298-200
Best Time, Speed: 3.884 sec.-national record (2015, Pomona 2); 328.38 (2015, Pomona 2)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(after 1 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)
FUNNY CAR POINTS
1. RON CAPPS 119
2. Del Worsham 97
3. Robert Hight 80
4. John Force 69
5. JACK BECKMAN 65
6. Courtney Force 59
7. Alexis DeJoria 55
8. Chad Head 54
9. Tim Wilkerson 33
10. MATT HAGAN 32
10. Cruz Pedregon 32
10. Gary Densham 32
13. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 31
FULL ARTICLE
Sunday, February 14, 2016
CompetitionPlus: BECKMAN GRABS NO.1 NITRO FC QUALIFYING SPOT
Last year, the Winternationals were a nightmare for nitro Funny Car driver Jack Beckman.
The 2012 NHRA world champion failed to qualify.
Beckman is on the opposite end of the spectrum in 2016.
Beckman clocked a 3.888-second lap at 326.16 mph to capture the No. 1 qualifying spot at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
“It didn’t affect us at all last year,” said Beckman, who drives the Infinite Hero Dodge for Don Schumacher Racing. “With the Countdown format you were going to erase that deficit and we wound up finishing first in the first part of the season anyway. It literally didn’t affect us, it just hurt our pride. As a hometown guy, man, it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year. I have lots of friends, relatives, high school people and I ran into a gal from junior high I had not seen in 30 something years. There’s a little bit of extra pressure to do well and it’s a little bit more embarrassing if you don’t qualifying, but we are over that now.”
FULL ARTICLE
The 2012 NHRA world champion failed to qualify.
Beckman is on the opposite end of the spectrum in 2016.
Beckman clocked a 3.888-second lap at 326.16 mph to capture the No. 1 qualifying spot at the season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
“It didn’t affect us at all last year,” said Beckman, who drives the Infinite Hero Dodge for Don Schumacher Racing. “With the Countdown format you were going to erase that deficit and we wound up finishing first in the first part of the season anyway. It literally didn’t affect us, it just hurt our pride. As a hometown guy, man, it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year. I have lots of friends, relatives, high school people and I ran into a gal from junior high I had not seen in 30 something years. There’s a little bit of extra pressure to do well and it’s a little bit more embarrassing if you don’t qualifying, but we are over that now.”
FULL ARTICLE
Motorsport.com: Beckman, Torrence and Anderson earn No. 1 qualifying positions at Pomona
Jack Beckman continued to prove he has the quickest Funny Car in the pits.
Pomona, Calif. – Jack Beckman picked up right where he left off last season by racing to the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car Saturday at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 11 a.m. eliminations at the season-opening event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
FULL ARTICLE
Racin' Today: ‘Fast Jack’ Gets Off To Faster Start In 2016
Jack Beckman began the 2015 NHRA
schedule as a spectator after failing to qualify his Funny Car for the
season-opening Circle K Winternationals. Flipping the calendar ahead one
year, “Fast Jack” will chase victory Sunday in the 56th edition of the prestigious event from P1 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif.
Beckman rallied to post seven wins, seven poles and set the national elapsed time record four times en route to challenging Del Worsham for the 2015 Funny Car world championship. On Saturday, Beckman clocked a 3.888-second 1,000-foot pass at 326.16 mph to take his first Winternationals pole and 16th of his career. Driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T, Beckman will open eliminations against No. 16 qualifier John Hale.
“It (his DNQ) didn’t affect us at all last year with the Countdown (playoff) format and we wound up finishing first in the regular season anyway. It just really hurt our pride,” said Beckman, the 2012 world champion and resident of Norco, Calif. “As a hometown guy it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year because there’s a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don’t. But we’re over that now.
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman rallied to post seven wins, seven poles and set the national elapsed time record four times en route to challenging Del Worsham for the 2015 Funny Car world championship. On Saturday, Beckman clocked a 3.888-second 1,000-foot pass at 326.16 mph to take his first Winternationals pole and 16th of his career. Driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T, Beckman will open eliminations against No. 16 qualifier John Hale.
“It (his DNQ) didn’t affect us at all last year with the Countdown (playoff) format and we wound up finishing first in the regular season anyway. It just really hurt our pride,” said Beckman, the 2012 world champion and resident of Norco, Calif. “As a hometown guy it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year because there’s a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don’t. But we’re over that now.
FULL ARTICLE
DSR: Beckman and Infinite Hero crew getting tuned into new car
Jack Beckman drove the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to the
quarterfinals of the 2016 Circle K NHRA Winternationals.
Beckman scored the No.1 qualifying position of the weekend with a 3.888-second elapsed time at 326.16 mph. He faced No. 16 qualifier John Hale in the first round and won with a 4.243 at 286.98 to Hale’s 4.231 at 254.28.
In the second round Beckman faced John Force but Force won with a 4.010 at 315.34 to Beckman’s 4.131 at 292.46.
“We dodged a bullet first round,” Beckman said. “The Infinite Hero car went out there and spun the tires. For whatever reason second round, as soon we stepped on the throttle it put a cylinder out,” explained Beckman. “It’s pretty hard to catch John Force on only seven cylinders.”
Even though the Infinite Hero Funny Car went out second round, Beckman believes his crew chief Jimmy Prock accumulated data that will help the team move forward and stay in the hunt in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
“As we get more runs on this brand new car, my guys will zero in on what it wants under different track conditions. I’m so optimistic,” said Beckman. “We’ll do a lot of Monday testing early in the season, so that when it gets to summertime we know how to run on cool and hot tracks.”
Beckman went on to add, “Last year we left this event in 18th place and we’re 5th right now. That is a pretty good improvement.”
Jack Beckman Dodge Charger R/T
QUALIFIED: #1
ELIMINATIONS:
ROUND 1: Beckman (4.243 at 286.98 mph) defeats Hale (4.231 at 254.28 mph)
ROUND 2: J. Force (4.010 at 315.34 mph) defeats Beckman (4.131 at 292.46 mph)
QUALIFYING SATURDAY: 3.934 sec., 322.34 mph, (Session 3); 3.888, 326.16 (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.169, 141.21, (Session 1); 3.959, 308.07, (Session 2)
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman scored the No.1 qualifying position of the weekend with a 3.888-second elapsed time at 326.16 mph. He faced No. 16 qualifier John Hale in the first round and won with a 4.243 at 286.98 to Hale’s 4.231 at 254.28.
In the second round Beckman faced John Force but Force won with a 4.010 at 315.34 to Beckman’s 4.131 at 292.46.
“We dodged a bullet first round,” Beckman said. “The Infinite Hero car went out there and spun the tires. For whatever reason second round, as soon we stepped on the throttle it put a cylinder out,” explained Beckman. “It’s pretty hard to catch John Force on only seven cylinders.”
Even though the Infinite Hero Funny Car went out second round, Beckman believes his crew chief Jimmy Prock accumulated data that will help the team move forward and stay in the hunt in the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
“As we get more runs on this brand new car, my guys will zero in on what it wants under different track conditions. I’m so optimistic,” said Beckman. “We’ll do a lot of Monday testing early in the season, so that when it gets to summertime we know how to run on cool and hot tracks.”
Beckman went on to add, “Last year we left this event in 18th place and we’re 5th right now. That is a pretty good improvement.”
Jack Beckman Dodge Charger R/T
QUALIFIED: #1
ELIMINATIONS:
ROUND 1: Beckman (4.243 at 286.98 mph) defeats Hale (4.231 at 254.28 mph)
ROUND 2: J. Force (4.010 at 315.34 mph) defeats Beckman (4.131 at 292.46 mph)
QUALIFYING SATURDAY: 3.934 sec., 322.34 mph, (Session 3); 3.888, 326.16 (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.169, 141.21, (Session 1); 3.959, 308.07, (Session 2)
FULL ARTICLE
AutoWeek: Steve Torrence, Jack Beckman, Greg Anderson qualify on top for season-opening event at Pomona
Jack Beckman picked up right where he left off last season by racing to
the No. 1 qualifying position in Funny Car on Saturday at the Circle K
NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California.
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 2 p.m. ET eliminations at the season-opening event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Beckman, who failed to qualify at this event one year ago but then rallied to post seven wins and set the national record four times en route to challenging for the Funny Car world championship, continued to prove he has the quickest Funny Car in the pits. In the final qualifying pair he clocked a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph to take his first No. 1 at the Winternationals and 16th of his career. He will open eliminations against John Hale.
“As a hometown guy it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year because there’s a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don’t, but we are beyond that,” Beckman said. “It’s clear that [crew chiefs] Jimmy [Prock], John [Medlen] and Chris [Cunningham] are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team.”
Beckman finished second to eventual world champion Del Worsham last season when Worsham’s DHL Toyota team got hot in the playoffs and won four of the six Countdown events. However, the competition and performance in Funny Car has been elevated largely due to the strides first made by Beckman in his Prock-tuned machine. He understands that there are several cars out here who can win the championship and he and his team will need to be focused to get the job done.
FULL ARTICLE
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also will lead their categories into Sunday’s 2 p.m. ET eliminations at the season-opening event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
Beckman, who failed to qualify at this event one year ago but then rallied to post seven wins and set the national record four times en route to challenging for the Funny Car world championship, continued to prove he has the quickest Funny Car in the pits. In the final qualifying pair he clocked a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph to take his first No. 1 at the Winternationals and 16th of his career. He will open eliminations against John Hale.
“As a hometown guy it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year because there’s a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don’t, but we are beyond that,” Beckman said. “It’s clear that [crew chiefs] Jimmy [Prock], John [Medlen] and Chris [Cunningham] are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team.”
Beckman finished second to eventual world champion Del Worsham last season when Worsham’s DHL Toyota team got hot in the playoffs and won four of the six Countdown events. However, the competition and performance in Funny Car has been elevated largely due to the strides first made by Beckman in his Prock-tuned machine. He understands that there are several cars out here who can win the championship and he and his team will need to be focused to get the job done.
FULL ARTICLE
Lompoc Record: Explosive action at NHRA season-opener
Along came Fast Jack Beckman, right behind Capps in the final pairing of the day.
Fast Jack was fastest again, taking over the top spot heading into Sunday’s showdowns with a 3.888-second, 326.16 mph run.
“For me, this is my hometown track,” said Beckman, a Norco native. “There’s a little extra pressure to do well here. My whole family is here. So many friends are out here. I even ran into a woman today that I went to junior high school with.
“But we’ve had such a good start to the season with the first two days of racing. It is an exciting time for me, my family and my team. I know great things are ahead for this team this year.”
FULL ARTICLE
Fast Jack was fastest again, taking over the top spot heading into Sunday’s showdowns with a 3.888-second, 326.16 mph run.
“For me, this is my hometown track,” said Beckman, a Norco native. “There’s a little extra pressure to do well here. My whole family is here. So many friends are out here. I even ran into a woman today that I went to junior high school with.
“But we’ve had such a good start to the season with the first two days of racing. It is an exciting time for me, my family and my team. I know great things are ahead for this team this year.”
FULL ARTICLE
LA Times: Steve Torrence earns No. 1 seeding in top-fuel elimination rounds at Winternationals
-- Jack Beckman qualified first in funny car with a 3.888-second run,
saving his best attempt for the final race of the day. Last season,
Beckman didn't qualify at the Winternationals. The defending funny car
champion, Del Worsham, qualified in fifth place.
FULL ARTICLE
FULL ARTICLE
Motorsport.com: Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) lead their categories into Sunday’s eliminations at the Winternationals.
Funny Car
While Gary Densham stole the headlines for the wrong reasons, Jack Beckman experienced a redemption of sorts at Pomona today.One year ago, Beckman failed to qualify at the Winternationals … and then rallied to post seven wins en route to challenging for the Funny Car world championship.
Today, he continued to prove he has the quickest Funny Car in the pits. In the final qualifying pair he clocked a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph to take his first No. 1 at the Winternationals and 16th of his career. He will open eliminations against John Hale.
“As a hometown guy it’s tough to come out to the first race of the year because there’s a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don’t, but we are beyond that,” Beckman said. “It’s clear that [crew chiefs] Jimmy [Prock], John [Medlen] and Chris [Cunningham] are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close, you know great things are in store for this team.”
Beckman’s teammate Ron Capps took second in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger with a 3.902 at 324.51 and Friday leader Robert Hight qualified third with a 3.913 at 322.04 in his Auto Club Chevy Camaro. Hight has an intriguing matchup as he will face No. 14 qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr., whose Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger was the talk of pre-season testing but has struggled this weekend, posting a best of 4.256 at 225.22.
FULL ARTICLE
Los Angeles Daily News: NHRA funny car driver escapes injury after parachute fails to deploy
In the Funny Car ranks, Jack Beckman, another DSR racer, edged a pair
of former champs to take the top spot. Beckman, who at one point of his
racing career was an instructor at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at
the L.A. County Fairgrounds where the Winternationals are being
conducted, collected 10 first-place votes to finish ahead of teammate
Ron Capps and 2015 titlist Del Worsham.
Beckman, who won the crown in 2012, collected 142 votes while Capps, who has never won a title, had 117 votes, one more than Worsham.
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman, who won the crown in 2012, collected 142 votes while Capps, who has never won a title, had 117 votes, one more than Worsham.
 |
| Funny Car driver Jack Beckman takes the top qualifying position during the final round of qualifying Saturday in Pomona. Beckman covered the 1,000 feet in 3.888 seconds at 326.16 mph. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) took the top qualifying positions in each of their categories at the 56th annual Circle K NHRA ... |
FULL ARTICLE
The OC Register: Beckman takes No. 1 spot in Funny Car qualifying at NHRA Winternationals
POMONA – They call Norco’s Funny Car racing star Jack Beckman “Fast Jack” for a reason.
While posting an early 3.934-second elapsed time in Saturday’s opening run at the 56th Winternationals, he watched a handful of top-flight competitors blow past him.
Under the lights in the final run at Auto Club Speedway early Saturday night, Beckman sizzled past everyone, blazing to a 3.888 run to grab the No. 1 qualifying spot for today’s Nitro ladder eliminations.
“There’s pressure any time that car starts up,” said Beckman, who failed to qualify at last year’s opener at Pomona.
That pressure might have continued on Friday when he posted a 5.169 in his first qualifying run.
“It’s clear,” he said, referring to his crew led by chief Jimmy Prock, “that they’re getting a handle on the car.”
FULL ARTICLE
While posting an early 3.934-second elapsed time in Saturday’s opening run at the 56th Winternationals, he watched a handful of top-flight competitors blow past him.
Under the lights in the final run at Auto Club Speedway early Saturday night, Beckman sizzled past everyone, blazing to a 3.888 run to grab the No. 1 qualifying spot for today’s Nitro ladder eliminations.
“There’s pressure any time that car starts up,” said Beckman, who failed to qualify at last year’s opener at Pomona.
That pressure might have continued on Friday when he posted a 5.169 in his first qualifying run.
“It’s clear,” he said, referring to his crew led by chief Jimmy Prock, “that they’re getting a handle on the car.”
FULL ARTICLE
FOX Sports: NHRA: Beckman, Torrence, Anderson top qualifying in Pomona
POMONA, Calif. (AP) - Jack Beckman topped Funny Car qualifying
Saturday in the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto
Club Raceway at Pomona.
Beckman had a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph in a Dodge Charger.
"As a hometown guy it's tough to come out to the first race of the year where there's a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don't, but we are beyond that," Beckman said. "It's clear that (crew chiefs) Jimmy (Prock), John (Medlen) and Chris (Cunningham) are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team."
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
 |
| Jack Beckman was the top qualifier for the 2016 NHRA Funny Car season opener at Pomona.
Marc Gewertz / NHRA
|
"As a hometown guy it's tough to come out to the first race of the year where there's a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don't, but we are beyond that," Beckman said. "It's clear that (crew chiefs) Jimmy (Prock), John (Medlen) and Chris (Cunningham) are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team."
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Fox News Sports: Jack Beckman tops Funny Car qualifying in NHRA opener
Jack Beckman topped Funny Car qualifying Saturday in the
season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona.
Beckman had a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph in a Dodge Charger.
"As a hometown guy it's tough to come out to the first race of the year where there's a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don't, but we are beyond that," Beckman said. "It's clear that (crew chiefs) Jimmy (Prock), John (Medlen) and Chris (Cunningham) are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team."
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman had a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph in a Dodge Charger.
"As a hometown guy it's tough to come out to the first race of the year where there's a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you don't, but we are beyond that," Beckman said. "It's clear that (crew chiefs) Jimmy (Prock), John (Medlen) and Chris (Cunningham) are getting a handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great things are in store for this team."
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
Press Enterprise: DRAG RACING: Beckman takes No. 1 spot in Funny Car qualifying
POMONA – They call Norco’s Funny Car racing star Jack Beckman “Fast Jack” for a reason.
While posting an early 3.934-second elapsed time in Saturday’s opening run at the 56th Winternationals, he watched a handful of top-flight competitors blow past him.
Under the lights in the final run at Auto Club Speedway early Saturday night, Beckman sizzled past everyone, blazing to a 3.888 run to grab the No. 1 qualifying spot for today’s Nitro ladder eliminations.
“There’s pressure any time that car starts up,” said Beckman, who failed to qualify at last year’s opener at Pomona.
That pressure might have continued on Friday when he posted a 5.169 in his first qualifying run.
“It’s clear,” he said, referring to his crew led by chief Jimmy Prock, “that they’re getting a handle on the car.”
FULL ARTICLE
While posting an early 3.934-second elapsed time in Saturday’s opening run at the 56th Winternationals, he watched a handful of top-flight competitors blow past him.
Under the lights in the final run at Auto Club Speedway early Saturday night, Beckman sizzled past everyone, blazing to a 3.888 run to grab the No. 1 qualifying spot for today’s Nitro ladder eliminations.
“There’s pressure any time that car starts up,” said Beckman, who failed to qualify at last year’s opener at Pomona.
That pressure might have continued on Friday when he posted a 5.169 in his first qualifying run.
“It’s clear,” he said, referring to his crew led by chief Jimmy Prock, “that they’re getting a handle on the car.”
FULL ARTICLE
DSR: Beckman No. 1 at Pomona a year after DNQ at Winternationals; Schumacher paces DSR dragsters with No. 3 spot in Top Fuel
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2016) – A year ago at the end of the
season-opening NHRA Winternationals, Jack Beckman and Don Schumacher
Racing’s Infinite Hero Funny Car team didn’t have to worry about racing
on Sunday because they failed to qualify for the 16-car field.
What a difference a year makes.
Beckman with crew chief Jimmy Prock and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham along with the Infinite Hero team will be racing on Sunday this year in the NHRA Circle K Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., as the No. 1 qualifier to open the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at Pomona, Calif.
“It didn’t affect us at all last year with the Countdown (playoff) format and we wound up finishing first in the regular season anyway. It just really hurt our pride.” said Beckman, the 2012 Funny World champion and resident of nearby Norco who rallied after last year’s opener to win a career-best and category-leading seven event titles and seven No. 1 qualifying positions.
“As a hometown guy, there’s a little bit of extra pressure to do well and it’s a little more embarrassing if you don’t. But we’re over that now.”
FULL ARTICLE
What a difference a year makes.
Beckman with crew chief Jimmy Prock and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham along with the Infinite Hero team will be racing on Sunday this year in the NHRA Circle K Winternationals at Pomona, Calif., as the No. 1 qualifier to open the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at Pomona, Calif.
“It didn’t affect us at all last year with the Countdown (playoff) format and we wound up finishing first in the regular season anyway. It just really hurt our pride.” said Beckman, the 2012 Funny World champion and resident of nearby Norco who rallied after last year’s opener to win a career-best and category-leading seven event titles and seven No. 1 qualifying positions.
“As a hometown guy, there’s a little bit of extra pressure to do well and it’s a little more embarrassing if you don’t. But we’re over that now.”
FULL ARTICLE
San Francisco Chronicle: Jack Beckman tops Funny Car qualifying in NHRA opener
POMONA,
Calif. (AP) — Jack Beckman topped Funny Car qualifying Saturday in the
season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona.
Beckman had a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph in a Dodge Charger.
"As
a hometown guy it's tough to come out to the first race of the year
where there's a little extra pressure to do well and some stress if you
don't, but we are beyond that," Beckman said. "It's clear that (crew
chiefs) Jimmy (Prock), John (Medlen) and Chris (Cunningham) are getting a
handle on this car. When you see them getting that close you know great
things are in store for this team."
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman had a 3.888-second run at 326.16 mph in a Dodge Charger.
Steve Torrence led the Top Fuel field, and Greg Anderson topped the Pro Stock class.
Torrence had a 3.703 at 328.06, and Anderson ran a 6.585 at 209.62 in a Chevrolet Camaro.
FULL ARTICLE
Drag Racing Edge: Medal of Honor Recipient Helps Unveil ’16 Infinite Hero Coin
The Infinite Hero Foundation “challenge coin” fund-raising program with the Terry Chandler-sponsored NHRA Funny Car team and Don Schumacher Racing driver Jack Beckman unveiled its 2016 coin on Friday at Pomona with a special guest in attendance.
Donald Everett "Doc" Ballard, 70, a former member of the United States Navy, was a hospital corpsman during the Vietnam War and received the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty” in May 1970.
The retired American colonel in the Kansas National Guard unveiled the 2016 Infinite Hero coin that was designed by Beckman and his wife, Jenna.
Beckman, who led NHRA Funny Cars with seven event titles last year, carries coins on each run then autographs them for NHRA fans who donate $100 to Infinite Hero (InfiniteHero.org).
FULL ARTICLE
Friday, February 12, 2016
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: NHRA Funny Cars celebrate 50 years of racing
They’ve been called many names throughout their 50-year existence –
including some that are unprintable in a family publication – and they
will be the center of celebration during this season’s NHRA Mello Yello
Drag Racing Series.
Welcome to Funny Cars, a class many consider to be an extension of the Southern California car culture.
The “cars” are short-wheelbase, high-horsepower, nitro-fueled speed machines that resemble, to a point, factory models. However, it’s a far stretch from reality. Throughout the existence of the class, they have been referred to as “monsters” by not only drivers, but crew members as well.
FULL ARTICLE
Welcome to Funny Cars, a class many consider to be an extension of the Southern California car culture.
The “cars” are short-wheelbase, high-horsepower, nitro-fueled speed machines that resemble, to a point, factory models. However, it’s a far stretch from reality. Throughout the existence of the class, they have been referred to as “monsters” by not only drivers, but crew members as well.
FULL ARTICLE
The OC Register: Expect a speedy weekend at NHRA Winternationals in Pomona
POMONA – The biggest question for the 56th annual NHRA
Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway is simple: Off-season testing is
complete. The first race of the season has arrived. Are teams ready to
unload their cars and race at record speed so soon?
Tony Schumacher, who qualified atop the Top Fuel category Friday with a 3.722-second ET, wasn’t ready to declare that to be the fastest time this weekend.
“I think we’ll go faster,” said the eight-time world champion, who cranked his U.S. Army Dragster to 323.66 mph. “I’d be willing to bet a lot of teams will go faster this weekend.”
“This time last year,” said Yorba Linda’s Robert Hight, who had the fastest Funny Car on Friday, “a 3.942 (his elapsed time) would’ve been a national record.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing opener was back at the same 1,000-foot strip that has seen plenty of historic runs in recent years.
As the 2016 season commences, Antron Brown holds the Top Fuel elapsed time mark (3.680 seconds) with Spencer Massey recording a 332.75-mph – both in Brainerd, Minn., last August.
At the October NHRA finals, Funny Car marks were set by Norco’s “Fast” Jack Beckman (3.884, ET) and Matt Hagan’s 331.45 mph.
Between Jason Line’s 6.455 ET, set in Charlotte, N.C. last March, and two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders’ 215.55-mph in Englishtown, N.J. in May 2015, those speed marks seem up for a challenge.
On Friday, drivers seemed to be setting their sights on all those times.
Heading into Saturday’s qualifying rounds, there are some early-season numbers to get excited about, ranging from Hight’s Funny Car elapsed time, 3.942, to Schumacher, whose career best ET is 3.719.
“We were really slow early (in the first 60 feet),” said Schumacher. “If we can get that car (going) early, we’ll go in the 60s (the 3.600-range).”
All of which means Brown’s record ET could be in jeopardy.
Form prevailed on Friday, Hight nailing identical 3.942-second ET in both rounds. In round two, Hight squared off against Courtney Force, who fired off a 3.945, still second best on the day.
“We’ve got to do (these kinds of runs) to keep up the Beckmans and the (Del) Worshams,” said Hight, adding that aggressive racing might be the answer to more success. “You’re playing behind the eight ball … you’ve got to be aggressive.”
On Friday, Line had the second-best run behind teammate Bo Butner’s 6.606 ET (209.43-mph). Line, last year’s Winternationals champion, sped to a 6.618 (209.43-mph).
“No,” said Butner, asked if his ET would hold up as the best time throughout the weekend, “I do not. Our goal is to be 1-2-3 for KB Racing.”
Hight, Force and Worsham, of Villa Park, went 1-2-3 in both the first and second rounds in Funny Car qualifying.
Hight talked about hitting hard in the first 100 feet, his crew chief Mike Neff trying to work his 2015 Camaro into a solid start. “He didn’t change his game plan without sacrificing the first 60 feet.”
Pomona’s a tricky track, he said. “There’s not as much traction down the track.”
There were no major surprises in Friday’s opening two rounds of qualifying. Beckman backed up a 5.169 first round with a fourth-best 3.959 in his next surge.
Jurupa Valley’s Shawn Langdon, who won the 2013 Top Fuel championship, rests eighth after posting a 3.798 clocking – 76-100ths of a second behind Schumacher.
Everyone’s a threat, said Schumacher.
“We don’t show up thinking we’re the only fast guys,” he said. “We show up thinking there are some bad guys out here.”
NOTES
The first 500 fans that show up for the Q&A and autograph session at Hot Rod Junction will get a Funny Car 50th anniversary autograph card. In what will be a season-long celebration, the Pomona portion will take place between 11 a.m.-noon. That’s when a lineup of legendary Funny Car drivers – Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Ed McCulloch, Al Segrini, plus the first-ever Winternationals winner, Clare Sanders, and Tom Prock, considered a Funny Car innovator – will be on hand.
FULL ARTICLE
 |
| Norco's ‘Fast' Jack Beckman leaves the starting line in his Funny Car during the NHRA Winternationals Drag Racing event at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, on Friday. DAVID BAUMAN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER |
Tony Schumacher, who qualified atop the Top Fuel category Friday with a 3.722-second ET, wasn’t ready to declare that to be the fastest time this weekend.
“I think we’ll go faster,” said the eight-time world champion, who cranked his U.S. Army Dragster to 323.66 mph. “I’d be willing to bet a lot of teams will go faster this weekend.”
“This time last year,” said Yorba Linda’s Robert Hight, who had the fastest Funny Car on Friday, “a 3.942 (his elapsed time) would’ve been a national record.”
The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing opener was back at the same 1,000-foot strip that has seen plenty of historic runs in recent years.
As the 2016 season commences, Antron Brown holds the Top Fuel elapsed time mark (3.680 seconds) with Spencer Massey recording a 332.75-mph – both in Brainerd, Minn., last August.
At the October NHRA finals, Funny Car marks were set by Norco’s “Fast” Jack Beckman (3.884, ET) and Matt Hagan’s 331.45 mph.
Between Jason Line’s 6.455 ET, set in Charlotte, N.C. last March, and two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders’ 215.55-mph in Englishtown, N.J. in May 2015, those speed marks seem up for a challenge.
On Friday, drivers seemed to be setting their sights on all those times.
Heading into Saturday’s qualifying rounds, there are some early-season numbers to get excited about, ranging from Hight’s Funny Car elapsed time, 3.942, to Schumacher, whose career best ET is 3.719.
“We were really slow early (in the first 60 feet),” said Schumacher. “If we can get that car (going) early, we’ll go in the 60s (the 3.600-range).”
All of which means Brown’s record ET could be in jeopardy.
Form prevailed on Friday, Hight nailing identical 3.942-second ET in both rounds. In round two, Hight squared off against Courtney Force, who fired off a 3.945, still second best on the day.
“We’ve got to do (these kinds of runs) to keep up the Beckmans and the (Del) Worshams,” said Hight, adding that aggressive racing might be the answer to more success. “You’re playing behind the eight ball … you’ve got to be aggressive.”
On Friday, Line had the second-best run behind teammate Bo Butner’s 6.606 ET (209.43-mph). Line, last year’s Winternationals champion, sped to a 6.618 (209.43-mph).
“No,” said Butner, asked if his ET would hold up as the best time throughout the weekend, “I do not. Our goal is to be 1-2-3 for KB Racing.”
Hight, Force and Worsham, of Villa Park, went 1-2-3 in both the first and second rounds in Funny Car qualifying.
Hight talked about hitting hard in the first 100 feet, his crew chief Mike Neff trying to work his 2015 Camaro into a solid start. “He didn’t change his game plan without sacrificing the first 60 feet.”
Pomona’s a tricky track, he said. “There’s not as much traction down the track.”
There were no major surprises in Friday’s opening two rounds of qualifying. Beckman backed up a 5.169 first round with a fourth-best 3.959 in his next surge.
Jurupa Valley’s Shawn Langdon, who won the 2013 Top Fuel championship, rests eighth after posting a 3.798 clocking – 76-100ths of a second behind Schumacher.
Everyone’s a threat, said Schumacher.
“We don’t show up thinking we’re the only fast guys,” he said. “We show up thinking there are some bad guys out here.”
NOTES
The first 500 fans that show up for the Q&A and autograph session at Hot Rod Junction will get a Funny Car 50th anniversary autograph card. In what will be a season-long celebration, the Pomona portion will take place between 11 a.m.-noon. That’s when a lineup of legendary Funny Car drivers – Don Prudhomme, Kenny Bernstein, Ed McCulloch, Al Segrini, plus the first-ever Winternationals winner, Clare Sanders, and Tom Prock, considered a Funny Car innovator – will be on hand.
FULL ARTICLE
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Drag Racing Weekly: On a special episode, we talk to @FastJackBeckman about the upcoming season
In this special episode, we sit down with NHRA champion Jack Beckman to
discuss the upcoming season as well as his work with Infinite Hero and
so much more. Also, an update on our upcoming LIVE broadcast for the
Winternationals.
LISTEN HERE
LISTEN HERE
Drag Racing Online: Beckman betters his record run on Friday
NHRA Funny Car racer Jack Beckman posted a time quicker than the
current national record that he owns and veteran Top Fuel driver Tony
Schumacher almost bettered the national record in his category Friday
during the NHRA Nitro Spring Training Friday, Feb. 5, at Wild Horse
Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.
Beckman powered his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger to a time that would better the current national elapsed time record in Funny Car, a 3.880 second blast with a speed of 325.77 mph. It is the third straight day that Beckman, who owns the national Elapsed Time mark in Funny Car at 3.884 seconds, has had the quickest Funny Car.
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman powered his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger to a time that would better the current national elapsed time record in Funny Car, a 3.880 second blast with a speed of 325.77 mph. It is the third straight day that Beckman, who owns the national Elapsed Time mark in Funny Car at 3.884 seconds, has had the quickest Funny Car.
FULL ARTICLE
Monday, February 8, 2016
BangShift.com: Watch Jack Beckman and The Infinite Hero Charger Funny Car Literally Take Flight During Testing
The 2015 NHRA season was a crazy one in funny car. Jimmy Prock,
Chris Cunningham, and John Medlin combined their brains and some
calculated risks to set the world of nitro racing on its ear repeatedly
throughout the season. Their regular season was amazing and
unfortunately for them, by the time the NHRA Countdown to One began,
many of their contemporaries had figured out the program and were
landing body blows against them that they seemed impervious to earlier
in the year. Ultimately they would runner up in 2015 but the boys are
coming out firing in testing and this run proves it.
Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Charger went for an amazing ride
the other day and while we have no idea what the numbers would have
been had the car not tried to enter low Earth orbit but it did and
Beckman caught it quickly, landing with a soft enough thud to leave him
with steering control and the car intact. The team did decide to shelve
that chassis until it could be fully inspected and will continue testing
and move into Pomona with the machine that we’re guessing was going to
be their backup car.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Motorsport.com: Beckman and Schumacher set the pace Friday at NHRA Nitro Spring Training
Top Fuel and Funny Car teams are utilizing the four-day pre-season test session to prepare for the season-opening at Pomona in Southern California.
Chandler, Ariz. – NHRA Funny Car racer Jack
Beckman posted a time quicker than the current national record that he
owns and veteran Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher almost bettered the
national record in his category Friday during the third day of NHRA
Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix.
NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car teams are utilizing the four-day pre-season test session to prepare for the season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals, next weekend (Feb. 11-14) at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The tradition-rich race near Los Angeles is the season-opening event for the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
FULL ARTICLE
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Racin' Today: ‘Fastest Jack’ Lays Down Huge Pass In Arizona Test Session
“Fast Jack” Beckman posted a time
quicker than the current Funny Car national record he owns and Top Fuel
ace Tony Schumacher almost bettered the national record in his category
Friday during Day 3 of NHRA Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass
Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., near Phoenix.
FULL ARTICLE (RacinToday.com): ‘Fastest Jack’ Lays Down Huge Pass In Arizona Test Session
FULL ARTICLE (RacinToday.com): ‘Fastest Jack’ Lays Down Huge Pass In Arizona Test Session
Friday, February 5, 2016
NHRA: Schumacher, Beckman quickest in Friday's NHRA Nitro Spring Training
NHRA Funny Car racer Jack Beckman posted a time quicker than the current
national record that he owns and veteran Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher
almost bettered the national record in his category Friday during the
third day of NHRA Nitro Spring Training at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports
Park near Phoenix.
READ MORE...
READ MORE...
 |
| Jack Beckman led the Funny Car testers was a 3.880 at 325.77 mph. |
CompetitionPlus: CPTV Phoenix Test - Beckman Talks Testing, 3.89
Our team over at CompetitionPlus.tv compiled this insightful video with
Jack Beckman @fastjackbeckman @shoeracing talking testing.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
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