GAINESVILLE, FL – March 19, 2016
– Jack Beckman set a national record and raced to the No. 1 qualifier
in Funny Car at the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on
Saturday.
Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec
(Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers at the third of 24
events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Beckman posted a 3.879-second at 329.26 mph sprint in his Infinite
Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national
record and become the No. 1 qualifier. His time was a Gainesville
Raceway track record. He has 17 No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two
so far in 2016.
This is his first No. 1 at Gainesville Raceway and he
will hope to secure his first win at the facility tomorrow. Beckman will
open eliminations against Jeff Diehl.
“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman. “This place was
setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading
about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we
can set records most places we go.”
Courtney Force qualified second in her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS
with a 3.893 at 322.96. Force will open eliminations against Dave
Richards. Her John Force Racing teammate, Robert Hight, pushed his Auto
Club Chevrolet Camaro SS to a 3.921 at 327.43 to qualify third. Hight
will face Terry Haddock in Sunday’s first round.
Phoenix winner Tim Wilkerson will enter eliminations as the fourth
qualifier and race Cruz Pedregon. Pomona winner Ron Capps is fifth and
will meet John Hale in the opening round.
Eliminations at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
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