NORWALK, Ohio (June 26, 2016) – Optimism pumps through Jack Beckman’s veins like nitro flows through the 10,000-horsepower engine of his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.
Actually, for Beckman’s sake, recently his heart has been more reliable than his racecar.
The 2012 NHRA Funny Car world champion, who won seven events a year ago, was confident coming to Norwalk, Ohio, that he would finally bust into the winner’s circle to snap a season’s long winless streak and win his third NHRA Summit Racing Nationals trophy.
But Beckman and the Infinite Hero team, funded by Terry Chandler and led by crew chief Jimmy Prock, will have to wait for two more weeks to win an NHRA Wally trophy in when the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series resumes near Chicago after a weekend off.
“A very frustrating day,” said Beckman, who qualified fifth and was upset in the first round by Alexis DeJoria. “I know our job is to find a silver lining but there isn’t a silver lining in this because we’re way better than this.”
The early exit enabled Courtney Force, who lost to Beckman’s teammate Ron Capps in the final round, to move around Beckman for the No. 2 spot in the points standings after 12 of 24 Mello Yello events.
“We’ve been pretty good in the heat lately,” Beckman said. “Maybe if there’s something to learn from this weekend it is that this combination isn’t as consistent as some of the recent combinations we’ve run.
“So are we off a little or off a lot? We’re not sure. We know we have to change something.”
The Infinite Hero Dodge will return to Don Schumacher Racing headquarters Monday and the team will quickly go to work to find the problem and correct it.
“We have a couple weeks before we race in Chicago and we’ll change some things with the clutch that should make it more consistent.
“You can’t run quick until you run consistent. Once we become quick again we can start to make our ascent back to the top.”
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Sunday, June 26, 2016
Saturday, June 25, 2016
DSR: Beckman leads Norwalk active Funny Car drivers with two wins, stresses importance for Infinite Hero Dodge team to collect third
NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2016) - Jack Beckman has won more NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series at Norwalk, Ohio, than any other Funny Car driver.
As important as those two NHRA Wally trophies are from the Summit Racing Nationals are to him, getting one on Sunday likely would be the most cherished.
Beckman and Don Schumacher Racing’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T funded by Terry Chandler will start Sunday as the No. 5 seed with a best qualifying run of 3.891 seconds at 326.63 mph.
While the 2012 Funny Car world champion has competed in three final rounds through 11 events this year, he has yet to celebrate in the winner’s circle after doing so seven times last year with his Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock.
“When we haven’t won on this four-race swing you just kick the can to the next weekend because you know you’ll get another shot at winning in seven days,” Beckman said of having four Mello Yello events in four weeks with the last being the one at Norwalk.
“This is the last of four in a row then we take a week off and this concludes the first half of the season and we haven’t won a race yet.
"We’re two-thirds of the way through the (18-race) regular part of the season and we need to win a race. We need a trophy.”
Despite going 11 races without getting a title, Beckman ranks second in championship points behind DSR teammate Ron Capps.
“We’re sitting second in points so we’ve been the second best Funny Car all year but no one on our Infinite Hero team is satisfied because we haven’t won a race yet.
“It’s interesting because at the start of the year we were awesome on the cool tracks and struggled in the heat. We’ve changed a lot of stuff in the bellhousing with our clutch package and have made our Infinite Hero Dodge awesome in the heat. But at the last few races we struggled in the night sessions when it’s cooler so we haven’t qualified very well.
“On Sundays, we race very well because we don’t race (eliminations rounds) at night, but you don’t want to qualify in the bottom half of the field.
“There are probably four cars out here that if I were handicapping the field for tomorrow I’d say have an even chance of winning the trophy. The interesting thing right now about Funny Car is those four cars also might not get past the semifinals.
“I put our chances pretty high.”
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As important as those two NHRA Wally trophies are from the Summit Racing Nationals are to him, getting one on Sunday likely would be the most cherished.
Beckman and Don Schumacher Racing’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T funded by Terry Chandler will start Sunday as the No. 5 seed with a best qualifying run of 3.891 seconds at 326.63 mph.
While the 2012 Funny Car world champion has competed in three final rounds through 11 events this year, he has yet to celebrate in the winner’s circle after doing so seven times last year with his Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock.
“When we haven’t won on this four-race swing you just kick the can to the next weekend because you know you’ll get another shot at winning in seven days,” Beckman said of having four Mello Yello events in four weeks with the last being the one at Norwalk.
“This is the last of four in a row then we take a week off and this concludes the first half of the season and we haven’t won a race yet.
"We’re two-thirds of the way through the (18-race) regular part of the season and we need to win a race. We need a trophy.”
Despite going 11 races without getting a title, Beckman ranks second in championship points behind DSR teammate Ron Capps.
“We’re sitting second in points so we’ve been the second best Funny Car all year but no one on our Infinite Hero team is satisfied because we haven’t won a race yet.
“It’s interesting because at the start of the year we were awesome on the cool tracks and struggled in the heat. We’ve changed a lot of stuff in the bellhousing with our clutch package and have made our Infinite Hero Dodge awesome in the heat. But at the last few races we struggled in the night sessions when it’s cooler so we haven’t qualified very well.
“On Sundays, we race very well because we don’t race (eliminations rounds) at night, but you don’t want to qualify in the bottom half of the field.
“There are probably four cars out here that if I were handicapping the field for tomorrow I’d say have an even chance of winning the trophy. The interesting thing right now about Funny Car is those four cars also might not get past the semifinals.
“I put our chances pretty high.”
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Wednesday, June 22, 2016
DSR: Beckman ready for early 50th birthday celebration in Northern Ohio as second-ranked Infinite Hero Dodge seeks first win of the season
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 22, 2016) - Jack Beckman is eager to get to the friendly confines of Norwalk, Ohio, to close out the most grueling stretch of the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
The only time four races in four weekends are fun is when you're winning, and after a personal-best seven Mello Yello titles last year Beckman is still seeking his first NHRA Wally trophy of the year.
"This is when having another race the next weekend is a good thing because we are getting closer to figuring out what this car wants," Beckman said after a narrow loss in Sunday's quarterfinals at Bristol, Tenn., which was the third race in as many weekends.
Through 11 events, however, the Infinite Hero team has advanced to the semifinals twice and final round three times and will arrive at Norwalk for the NHRA Summit Racing Nationals as the No. 2-ranked team, only 55 points behind Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.
Beckman and his Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistant crew chiefs John Medlen and Chris Cunningham were re-writing NHRA and track record book in the year's cooler conditions but has been facing knuckleballs at recent tracks when air and track temperatures heated up.
The Infinite Hero Dodge funded by Terry Chandler won the pole at four of the first seven Mello Yello races this year. But in the year's first hot races, Beckman qualified 10th at Englishtown, N.J., and ninth last weekend at Bristol. Despite some adversity, he advanced to the final round at Englishtown that was the third time this season in which he was one round win from hoisting the NHRA Wally trophy.
"We're getting much, much better in the heat but have not done well on the 'hero' runs," he said of Friday night sessions when the conditions are usually the coolest of the weekend. The conditions for Friday at Norwalk should be kind to Beckman and others as sessions are scheduled for 5:45 and 8:30 p.m. (ET).
A disappointing No. 11 qualifying spot didn't keep the Infinite Hero team from winning last year's hot Norwalk race. It was his second win at the track in the event's nine-year history.
"It's always warm at Norwalk and that's OK because we have the Infinite Hero Dodge doing well on 130-degree racetracks."
Beckman has won 22 times in the Mello Yello series and intends to add another trophy that also will provide him with a unique present for his 50th birthday on Tuesday.
"We have 13 more chances to get as many trophies as we can before the year ends, and I'd like to start with Norwalk especially because it will be on my 50th birthday weekend."
FULL ARTICLE
The only time four races in four weekends are fun is when you're winning, and after a personal-best seven Mello Yello titles last year Beckman is still seeking his first NHRA Wally trophy of the year.
"This is when having another race the next weekend is a good thing because we are getting closer to figuring out what this car wants," Beckman said after a narrow loss in Sunday's quarterfinals at Bristol, Tenn., which was the third race in as many weekends.
Through 11 events, however, the Infinite Hero team has advanced to the semifinals twice and final round three times and will arrive at Norwalk for the NHRA Summit Racing Nationals as the No. 2-ranked team, only 55 points behind Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.
Beckman and his Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistant crew chiefs John Medlen and Chris Cunningham were re-writing NHRA and track record book in the year's cooler conditions but has been facing knuckleballs at recent tracks when air and track temperatures heated up.
The Infinite Hero Dodge funded by Terry Chandler won the pole at four of the first seven Mello Yello races this year. But in the year's first hot races, Beckman qualified 10th at Englishtown, N.J., and ninth last weekend at Bristol. Despite some adversity, he advanced to the final round at Englishtown that was the third time this season in which he was one round win from hoisting the NHRA Wally trophy.
"We're getting much, much better in the heat but have not done well on the 'hero' runs," he said of Friday night sessions when the conditions are usually the coolest of the weekend. The conditions for Friday at Norwalk should be kind to Beckman and others as sessions are scheduled for 5:45 and 8:30 p.m. (ET).
A disappointing No. 11 qualifying spot didn't keep the Infinite Hero team from winning last year's hot Norwalk race. It was his second win at the track in the event's nine-year history.
"It's always warm at Norwalk and that's OK because we have the Infinite Hero Dodge doing well on 130-degree racetracks."
Beckman has won 22 times in the Mello Yello series and intends to add another trophy that also will provide him with a unique present for his 50th birthday on Tuesday.
"We have 13 more chances to get as many trophies as we can before the year ends, and I'd like to start with Norwalk especially because it will be on my 50th birthday weekend."
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Sunday, June 19, 2016
DSR: Beckman, Infinite Hero Dodge lose close race to DSR teammate, march on to Norwalk this week in search of first ’16 trophy
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 19, 2016) – “Frustrating. Twenty-seven thousandths of a second.”
That’s how the loquacious Jack Beckman summed up his Sunday in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
The driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T funded by Terry Chandler met what has been the quickest Funny Car the past two weeks, Don Schumacher Racing teammate and Bristol pole-winner Ron Capps in the second round of this year’s 11th event.
Beckman quest for his first Funny Car title of the year was thwarted by Capps whose time of 3.990 seconds was a little quicker than Beckman’s 4.007.
“This is when having a race the next week is a good thing,” Beckman said of the Mello Yello event that begins at Norwalk, Ohio. “
“We are getting closer to figuring out what this car wants. The irony is we were so good under cool conditions earlier in the year then struggled in the heat. Now it’s a little bit of the opposite.”
Beckman, who remains second in points and 55 behind Capps, was disappointed with his No. 9 qualifying position that resulted from not being able to take advantage a cool qualifying session Friday night when most teams produce their best times and the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T produced its worst of the weekend.
“We have not done well on those ‘hero’ runs,” he said of the cooler, night sessions. “That has hurt our qualifying position for eliminations on Sunday.”
The Mello Yello tour continues Friday at Norwalk, Ohio, in the fourth of event in four weeks.
FULL ARTICLE
That’s how the loquacious Jack Beckman summed up his Sunday in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
The driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T funded by Terry Chandler met what has been the quickest Funny Car the past two weeks, Don Schumacher Racing teammate and Bristol pole-winner Ron Capps in the second round of this year’s 11th event.
Beckman quest for his first Funny Car title of the year was thwarted by Capps whose time of 3.990 seconds was a little quicker than Beckman’s 4.007.
“This is when having a race the next week is a good thing,” Beckman said of the Mello Yello event that begins at Norwalk, Ohio. “
“We are getting closer to figuring out what this car wants. The irony is we were so good under cool conditions earlier in the year then struggled in the heat. Now it’s a little bit of the opposite.”
Beckman, who remains second in points and 55 behind Capps, was disappointed with his No. 9 qualifying position that resulted from not being able to take advantage a cool qualifying session Friday night when most teams produce their best times and the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T produced its worst of the weekend.
“We have not done well on those ‘hero’ runs,” he said of the cooler, night sessions. “That has hurt our qualifying position for eliminations on Sunday.”
The Mello Yello tour continues Friday at Norwalk, Ohio, in the fourth of event in four weeks.
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Saturday, June 18, 2016
DSR: Beckman eager to hoist first NHRA Wall trophy of year at Bristol, no better day to celebrate than on Father’s Day with Infinite Hero
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 18, 2016) – Jack Beckman has a fond memory of Bristol Dragway that he will carry forever.
He still hasn’t won an NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals trophy and only advanced to the final round in 2011, but the 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world champion, will always cherish his time on the track two years ago.
“My dad was here and we did the track walk together that Sunday morning,” he said of walking with Bob Beckman in the pre-race ritual held before every Mello Yello event.
“That was neat. He’s 79 now and was a hot rodder. Now, he lives vicariously through me. He comes to several races and his next one will be at Denver. Getting to do the track walk with him on Father’s Day was pretty special.
“It would be different to do it with my two kids, then it would be like their tribute to me; doing it with my dad was my tribute to him.”
It also would be a special moment for Beckman and his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team, led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and funded by Terry Chandler, to win the NHRA Wally trophy on Sunday. It would be his first of the year after winning seven times last year.
Beckman qualified ninth and will race 16-time world champion John Force in the first round when racing begins at noon (ET).
And thanks to the NHRA All Access plan at NHRA.com, Beckman’s son, Jason, and daughter, Layla, will be watching with mom Jenna from their home in Southern California.
“They’ll be watching and that’s the best way for them to keep up with me when I’m racing.
“Being away from home is tough, but I still get to go home at least two days a week even during this four-race swing.
“A lot of people make a big deal about the drivers being on the road away from their families. It’s not easy on Father’s Days and special occasions. I’ve missed a lot of firsts with my kids.
“It’s not just the drivers, it’s the crew members. They have kids at home too. And they’re on the road more than drivers because they have to drive the rigs to and from.”
If Beckman ends his day in the winner’s circle, it’s certain that his dad will be mentioned along with those of his teammates.
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He still hasn’t won an NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals trophy and only advanced to the final round in 2011, but the 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world champion, will always cherish his time on the track two years ago.
“My dad was here and we did the track walk together that Sunday morning,” he said of walking with Bob Beckman in the pre-race ritual held before every Mello Yello event.
“That was neat. He’s 79 now and was a hot rodder. Now, he lives vicariously through me. He comes to several races and his next one will be at Denver. Getting to do the track walk with him on Father’s Day was pretty special.
“It would be different to do it with my two kids, then it would be like their tribute to me; doing it with my dad was my tribute to him.”
It also would be a special moment for Beckman and his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team, led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and funded by Terry Chandler, to win the NHRA Wally trophy on Sunday. It would be his first of the year after winning seven times last year.
Beckman qualified ninth and will race 16-time world champion John Force in the first round when racing begins at noon (ET).
And thanks to the NHRA All Access plan at NHRA.com, Beckman’s son, Jason, and daughter, Layla, will be watching with mom Jenna from their home in Southern California.
“They’ll be watching and that’s the best way for them to keep up with me when I’m racing.
“Being away from home is tough, but I still get to go home at least two days a week even during this four-race swing.
“A lot of people make a big deal about the drivers being on the road away from their families. It’s not easy on Father’s Days and special occasions. I’ve missed a lot of firsts with my kids.
“It’s not just the drivers, it’s the crew members. They have kids at home too. And they’re on the road more than drivers because they have to drive the rigs to and from.”
If Beckman ends his day in the winner’s circle, it’s certain that his dad will be mentioned along with those of his teammates.
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Wednesday, June 15, 2016
DSR: Beckman coming off third runner-up with Infinite Hero Dodge, heads to Thunder Valley seeking first win of season, at track
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 15, 2016) - Jack Beckman has eclipsed one of the statistics from last year's record-breaking season but overdue to begin gaining ground on the most important one.
The driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car funded by Terry Chandler reached his third final round of the year on Sunday and collected his third runner-up finish of the year, which is one more than he had in 24 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events last year.
When he arrived at Bristol Dragway a year ago for the 16th annual Thunder Valley Nationals, the 2012 Funny Car world champion with Don Schumacher Racing already had won two NHRA Wally trophies en route to a career high total of seven to lead the Funny Car category.
Beckman will start at Bristol ranked second in the Funny Car standings and 27 points behind DSR teammate Ron Capps to whom he lost in Sunday's final round of the NHRA Summernationals in New Jersey.
He is more than ready for an invitation into his first winner's circle of the year and first at Bristol to make this Father's Day even more special.
"It's hard to tell. This is a fickle sport," he said of when the big win will come.
The Infinite Hero Dodge qualified a disappointing 10th last weekend at Englishtown, N.J., but rallied to post a good time of 3.972 seconds at 315.71 mph to win the first round. But, like most other Funny Cars on the hot Summernationals track, Beckman lost traction in the quarterfinals and semifinals but was able to survive and advance to the final.
But in the run for the Wally against Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, Beckman lost traction at the hit of the throttle and watched his chance of winning go up in smoke.
"You could have the second best car of the weekend and lose first round," Beckman said, "or you could have the second worst car and go all the way to the finals."
The Infinite Hero team was using the new car it was forced to run on Monday of the rain-delayed New England Nationals after its primary car was severely damaged in an explosion and ensuing fireball after a part broke. The new steed produced a pair of very good runs before losing in the quarterfinals.
"What I do know is that we will keep working hard, we will do our best to figure out what this car needs, we will execute to the best of our abilities and we will test if necessary. We will figure it out and that will start translating into race wins.
"We feel like we've got something to prove, and we're very hungry to get that first win of the year."
The driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car funded by Terry Chandler reached his third final round of the year on Sunday and collected his third runner-up finish of the year, which is one more than he had in 24 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events last year.
When he arrived at Bristol Dragway a year ago for the 16th annual Thunder Valley Nationals, the 2012 Funny Car world champion with Don Schumacher Racing already had won two NHRA Wally trophies en route to a career high total of seven to lead the Funny Car category.
Beckman will start at Bristol ranked second in the Funny Car standings and 27 points behind DSR teammate Ron Capps to whom he lost in Sunday's final round of the NHRA Summernationals in New Jersey.
He is more than ready for an invitation into his first winner's circle of the year and first at Bristol to make this Father's Day even more special.
"It's hard to tell. This is a fickle sport," he said of when the big win will come.
The Infinite Hero Dodge qualified a disappointing 10th last weekend at Englishtown, N.J., but rallied to post a good time of 3.972 seconds at 315.71 mph to win the first round. But, like most other Funny Cars on the hot Summernationals track, Beckman lost traction in the quarterfinals and semifinals but was able to survive and advance to the final.
But in the run for the Wally against Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps, Beckman lost traction at the hit of the throttle and watched his chance of winning go up in smoke.
"You could have the second best car of the weekend and lose first round," Beckman said, "or you could have the second worst car and go all the way to the finals."
The Infinite Hero team was using the new car it was forced to run on Monday of the rain-delayed New England Nationals after its primary car was severely damaged in an explosion and ensuing fireball after a part broke. The new steed produced a pair of very good runs before losing in the quarterfinals.
"What I do know is that we will keep working hard, we will do our best to figure out what this car needs, we will execute to the best of our abilities and we will test if necessary. We will figure it out and that will start translating into race wins.
"We feel like we've got something to prove, and we're very hungry to get that first win of the year."
Sunday, June 12, 2016
DSR: Infinite Hero Dodge runner-up at NHRA Summernationals; Beckman says losing in final round both promising, disappointing
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 12, 2016) – Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T, sponsored by Terry Chandler, advanced to their third championship round of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series on Sunday, but once again just missed winning their first Wally trophy of the season.
Beckman’s Dodge led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and nearly every other nitro team competing on the last day of the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals had fits with a hot track and windy conditions. Ron Capps, one of Beckman’s Don Schumacher Racing teammates, seemed be the only team to master the track and was able to beat the Infinite Hero team in the final round.
“It’s never satisfying to lose on race day,” said Beckman, who was able to move up one spot to second in the Mello Yello standings and only trails Capps, the new leader, by 27 points.
“Going to the final round and losing is frustrating. You feel like you just didn’t capitalize on the day. If I were to be philosophical, a runner-up finish might be overachieving for us today. We struggled. We didn’t get computer data on our first two runs. We’re still trying to zero in on the combination for the brand new chassis we’re running right now.
“We had a little bit of fortune roll our way (with other teams smoking their tires) and it just ran out in the final round. It’s nice that Schumacher Racing got another win out there (with Capps), I feel good about that but we really want to get in that Traxxas Shootout (in the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend). There’s only one slot open for that. We want to take it in Bristol.
“For as much as we struggled today, it very easily could have been a short day. We didn’t qualify in the top half of the field but were able to put Alexis (DeJoria) on the trailer, Matt Hagan on the trailer and then beat Jeff Diehl in the semis.
“That final round was for the points lead. It’s nice to know that as much as the Infinite Hero team is struggling, we’re the second best Funny Car so far so the wins will start coming pretty soon.”
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman’s Dodge led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and nearly every other nitro team competing on the last day of the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals had fits with a hot track and windy conditions. Ron Capps, one of Beckman’s Don Schumacher Racing teammates, seemed be the only team to master the track and was able to beat the Infinite Hero team in the final round.
“It’s never satisfying to lose on race day,” said Beckman, who was able to move up one spot to second in the Mello Yello standings and only trails Capps, the new leader, by 27 points.
“Going to the final round and losing is frustrating. You feel like you just didn’t capitalize on the day. If I were to be philosophical, a runner-up finish might be overachieving for us today. We struggled. We didn’t get computer data on our first two runs. We’re still trying to zero in on the combination for the brand new chassis we’re running right now.
“We had a little bit of fortune roll our way (with other teams smoking their tires) and it just ran out in the final round. It’s nice that Schumacher Racing got another win out there (with Capps), I feel good about that but we really want to get in that Traxxas Shootout (in the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend). There’s only one slot open for that. We want to take it in Bristol.
“For as much as we struggled today, it very easily could have been a short day. We didn’t qualify in the top half of the field but were able to put Alexis (DeJoria) on the trailer, Matt Hagan on the trailer and then beat Jeff Diehl in the semis.
“That final round was for the points lead. It’s nice to know that as much as the Infinite Hero team is struggling, we’re the second best Funny Car so far so the wins will start coming pretty soon.”
FULL ARTICLE
Saturday, June 11, 2016
DSR: Beckman bewildered over sluggish Summernationals qualifying after Infinite Hero Dodge team made major comeback last weekend
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11. 2016) – Jack Beckman often says you can’t predict what a Funny Car will do when you pour nitromethane in the tank.
His experience so far in the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is bearing out that outlook.
At last weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in New Hampshire, the team unveiled a new Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car after a broken engine part led to an explosion that destroyed the carbon fiber body and bent the chassis.
The team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham tuned the new Dodge on its first two runs to a pair of 3.93-second runs.
Upon unloading that car when it arrived at Englishtown, N.J., Beckman opened qualifying Friday afternoon with a time of 3.981 seconds at 318.17 mph with the Infinite Hero team sponsored by Terry Chandler.
Not a great run, but a very solid run.
Then the unpredictability of Funny Cars showed up and the team’s last three runs ranged from 11.876 to 4.148 seconds. That leaves Beckman seeded 10th for eliminations that begin at 11 a.m. (ET).
“It is an interesting weekend for us,” Beckman said. “We changed cars after a big explosion Saturday in Epping last weekend. We looked pretty darn good with a completely new racecar on race day in Epping.
“We unload here and we’re struggling. I don’t think it’s the racecar, I think it’s just trying to get this tune-up to adapt to this racetrack.
“We’ve kind of painted ourselves in a corner but you know what, we did this earlier this year and turned it into a final round. I believe that we can have a good, long race day tomorrow.
“Here’s the thing, we’re going to have to be aggressive first round, not just to get a win light, but to get a handle on what this car really wants here in Englishtown. If this Infinite Hero car turns on the win light first round, look out.”
FULL ARTICLE
His experience so far in the 47th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is bearing out that outlook.
At last weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in New Hampshire, the team unveiled a new Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car after a broken engine part led to an explosion that destroyed the carbon fiber body and bent the chassis.
The team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham tuned the new Dodge on its first two runs to a pair of 3.93-second runs.
Upon unloading that car when it arrived at Englishtown, N.J., Beckman opened qualifying Friday afternoon with a time of 3.981 seconds at 318.17 mph with the Infinite Hero team sponsored by Terry Chandler.
Not a great run, but a very solid run.
Then the unpredictability of Funny Cars showed up and the team’s last three runs ranged from 11.876 to 4.148 seconds. That leaves Beckman seeded 10th for eliminations that begin at 11 a.m. (ET).
“It is an interesting weekend for us,” Beckman said. “We changed cars after a big explosion Saturday in Epping last weekend. We looked pretty darn good with a completely new racecar on race day in Epping.
“We unload here and we’re struggling. I don’t think it’s the racecar, I think it’s just trying to get this tune-up to adapt to this racetrack.
“We’ve kind of painted ourselves in a corner but you know what, we did this earlier this year and turned it into a final round. I believe that we can have a good, long race day tomorrow.
“Here’s the thing, we’re going to have to be aggressive first round, not just to get a win light, but to get a handle on what this car really wants here in Englishtown. If this Infinite Hero car turns on the win light first round, look out.”
FULL ARTICLE
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
DSR: Remarkable comeback by DSR’s Infinite Hero Funny Car team, fabricators has Beckman ready for first win at Englishtown
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 8, 2016) – Despite two solid runs in Monday’s rain-delayed eliminations of the NHRA New England Nationals, Jack Beckman wasn’t able to get his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T to its first event title of the year.
But just being able to race after a massive explosion on Saturday followed by a day lost to rain, it was quite an accomplishment that the Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham was able to race.
And having a professional crew of metal fabricators at Don Schumacher Racing headquarters makes it possible for the Infinite Hero team sponsored by Terry Chandler to show up with two impressive Dodge Chargers for this weekend’s 47th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
Beckman arrived at Epping, N.H., after advancing to the final round of the previous two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events when he won a pole and was the No. 2 qualifier in the other.
And then the team experienced what many Funny Car veterans described as the biggest Funny Car explosion ever.
As Beckman passed half-track Saturday during his third qualifying run, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed the Dodge Charger R/T carbon fiber body, bent the chassis and caused considerable ancillary damage from an ensuing fire.
Beckman was not injured.
The Infinite Hero team skipped the final qualifying session that day to get ready to race for the trophy on Sunday and remained late at the track not knowing the next day would be rained out.
Once the Funny Car was returned to the pit area – at least what was left of it and that didn’t include the shredded carbon fiber body and missing engine pieces – the Infinite Hero crew quickly determined it would have to go to its back-up car that had never been raced.
Adding to the team’s woes was when crewman Chris Adams sustained a facial injury that required three stitches before he could return to working on the car.
When it was determined the chassis needed major repairs, DSR vice president Mike Lewis rented a pick-up and hauled it back to headquarters outside of Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., where DSR’s vaunted fabrication team (manager Joe Fitzpatrick with technicians Dan Murphy, Travis Orr and Austin Carter) devoted 20 hours to repairing it in time for it go to it to be reassembled to serve as the back-up car at the Summernationals.
“You can’t show up to the next race and not have a spare chassis,” Beckman said.
“We took out the hacksaw and cut it so it would fit in the bed of a pickup. Joe was on the phone with our team (Saturday) night figuring out what needed to be done once it got back to the shop.
“It’s interesting to be surrounded by good, dedicated, talented people.”
Another testament to the talented DSR fabricators is that the “new” car produced a pair of runs in the 3.93-second range on Monday, but it was unable to get passed teammate and eventual New England runner-up Tommy Johnson Jr. in the Make-A-Wish Dodge, also funded by Chandler, in the second round.
ARTICLE LINK
But just being able to race after a massive explosion on Saturday followed by a day lost to rain, it was quite an accomplishment that the Infinite Hero team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham was able to race.
And having a professional crew of metal fabricators at Don Schumacher Racing headquarters makes it possible for the Infinite Hero team sponsored by Terry Chandler to show up with two impressive Dodge Chargers for this weekend’s 47th annual NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
Beckman arrived at Epping, N.H., after advancing to the final round of the previous two NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events when he won a pole and was the No. 2 qualifier in the other.
And then the team experienced what many Funny Car veterans described as the biggest Funny Car explosion ever.
As Beckman passed half-track Saturday during his third qualifying run, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed the Dodge Charger R/T carbon fiber body, bent the chassis and caused considerable ancillary damage from an ensuing fire.
Beckman was not injured.
The Infinite Hero team skipped the final qualifying session that day to get ready to race for the trophy on Sunday and remained late at the track not knowing the next day would be rained out.
Once the Funny Car was returned to the pit area – at least what was left of it and that didn’t include the shredded carbon fiber body and missing engine pieces – the Infinite Hero crew quickly determined it would have to go to its back-up car that had never been raced.
Adding to the team’s woes was when crewman Chris Adams sustained a facial injury that required three stitches before he could return to working on the car.
When it was determined the chassis needed major repairs, DSR vice president Mike Lewis rented a pick-up and hauled it back to headquarters outside of Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., where DSR’s vaunted fabrication team (manager Joe Fitzpatrick with technicians Dan Murphy, Travis Orr and Austin Carter) devoted 20 hours to repairing it in time for it go to it to be reassembled to serve as the back-up car at the Summernationals.
“You can’t show up to the next race and not have a spare chassis,” Beckman said.
“We took out the hacksaw and cut it so it would fit in the bed of a pickup. Joe was on the phone with our team (Saturday) night figuring out what needed to be done once it got back to the shop.
“It’s interesting to be surrounded by good, dedicated, talented people.”
Another testament to the talented DSR fabricators is that the “new” car produced a pair of runs in the 3.93-second range on Monday, but it was unable to get passed teammate and eventual New England runner-up Tommy Johnson Jr. in the Make-A-Wish Dodge, also funded by Chandler, in the second round.
ARTICLE LINK
Monday, June 6, 2016
NBC DFW: Must-See Sports Moments of the Week: June 5-11
Must-See Sports Moments of the Week: June 5-11
CBS Sports: WATCH: A funny car bursts into flames seconds after drag race begins
Fortunately the driver was unharmed
by Colin Ward-HenningerThere was an incredibly scary moment at the NHRA New England Nationals on Saturday.
During a qualifying race, Jack Beckman jumped out to an early lead before disaster struck. Beckman's car unexpectedly exploded, sending debris all over the track.
ARTICLE LINK
DRAGZINE: Video: Jack Beckman’s Colossal Funny Car Explosion At Epping!
There was a time when riding out a speeding bonfire was just a part
of piloting a fuel-burning Funny Car. These days, such rides — like
those that made John Force famous in the early 1990s — are few and far
between thanks to improved fire suppression systems, but drivers today
have traded what were once raging infernos for incidents that are best
described as sitting inside of a military-grade bomb.
And on Saturday, Jack Beckman escaped from one of the biggest boomers yet, as his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger exploded in breathtaking fashion, tearing the carbon fiber body apart like a toy and sending parts and pieces scattering all over the New England Dragway.
“It was a big explosion, one of the biggest ever. The worst was I had oil all over my visor and couldn’t see. Fortunately, I had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it off. Until then I couldn’t see, and it’s just nice to know you’re not going into the wall.”
Beckman’s team, already well into the field with a 3.895-second lap from Friday, elected to sit out the final qualifying session to evaluate the chassis and prepare the backup car.
ARTICLE LINK
And on Saturday, Jack Beckman escaped from one of the biggest boomers yet, as his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger exploded in breathtaking fashion, tearing the carbon fiber body apart like a toy and sending parts and pieces scattering all over the New England Dragway.
“It was a big explosion, one of the biggest ever. The worst was I had oil all over my visor and couldn’t see. Fortunately, I had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it off. Until then I couldn’t see, and it’s just nice to know you’re not going into the wall.”
Beckman’s team, already well into the field with a 3.895-second lap from Friday, elected to sit out the final qualifying session to evaluate the chassis and prepare the backup car.
ARTICLE LINK
Hot Rod Network: Watch Jack Beckman Casually Walk You Through His Nitro Explosion
Written
by
on June 6, 2016
Contributors: NHRA
“It’s just nice to know that you’re not going into the wall,” Jack Beckman explains.
Nitromethane is a temperamental source of speed, and sometimes it bites back with no warning. Blower explosions aren’t exactly common, but they happen to almost everyone. When a blower pops, Funny Cars bodies tend to disintegrate from the force of the explosive nitromethane as it back-fires through the intake tract.
“Fast Jack” Beckman is no stranger to the situation, and it shows in his collected response as the body ejects, and the chassis begins bouncing from the explosion. “I think it had just started to spin the tires. And, it’s one of those ones where you wish you had a tenth of a second earlier to get off the throttle,” said Beckman. “Because, what could have happened is that it might have tagged an intake valve [from valve float], and big explosion – I mean, that’s one of the biggest ever.”
ARTICLE LINK
Contributors: NHRA
“It’s just nice to know that you’re not going into the wall,” Jack Beckman explains.
Nitromethane is a temperamental source of speed, and sometimes it bites back with no warning. Blower explosions aren’t exactly common, but they happen to almost everyone. When a blower pops, Funny Cars bodies tend to disintegrate from the force of the explosive nitromethane as it back-fires through the intake tract.
“Fast Jack” Beckman is no stranger to the situation, and it shows in his collected response as the body ejects, and the chassis begins bouncing from the explosion. “I think it had just started to spin the tires. And, it’s one of those ones where you wish you had a tenth of a second earlier to get off the throttle,” said Beckman. “Because, what could have happened is that it might have tagged an intake valve [from valve float], and big explosion – I mean, that’s one of the biggest ever.”
ARTICLE LINK
BBC TopGear: Video: dragster detonates at New England Nationals
Jack Beckman’s Funny Car explodes halfway down the strip. Thankfully, he's OK
We all know everything looks better in slow motion. Whether it’s people get splatted in the face with water balloons, or smashing slabs of jelly with tennis rackets, the more frames per second something is captured in, the better.
When you add the mad and sometimes explode-y world of drag racing into the mix, slow-mo comes into its own.
Recently, we showed you what happened when dragster pilot Doug Kalitta started drifting
(something that’s definitely not meant to happen in this form of
motorsport) down the strip in his Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster. It was
majestic. Today’s vid however, is just plain terrifying.
At the eighth-mile mark during the third qualifying
session at the recent New England Nationals at New England Dragway, Jack
Beckman’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger exploded.
As you can see above, with fuel and fire throbbing out of
the side pipes, all was going swimmingly, until… well, see for yourself.
The engine detonates sending the composite bodywork flying, while the
manifold and case of the supercharger are split clean in half.
Mercifully, Jack Beckman was unharmed, and walked away unscathed.
DSR: Beckman, Infinite Hero power back in rain-delayed eliminations after major explosion two days earlier in New England Nationals
EPPING, N.H. (June 6, 2016) – Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T completed a pair of runs Monday in the rain-delayed NHRA New England Nationals with times of 3.935 and 3.937 seconds.
Even though his last run of 3.937 at 325.30 was impressive, it wasn’t enough to defeat Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr., who advanced to the final round at New England Raceway at Epping, N.H.
That he was even able to get down the track both times was a testament to his Infinite Hero team funded by Terry Chandler and led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
The team needed a resurgent Monday before next weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Englishtown, N.J., which will be the second of four races in four weeks.
The Infinite Hero team exhibited resilience after suffering one of the biggest Funny Car explosions in drag racing history in Saturday’s first qualifying session and was forced to miss the day’s last qualifying run.
As Beckman passed half-track on his third qualifying run, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed the Dodge Charger R/T carbon fiber body, damaged the chassis and caused considerable damage to the electrical wiring from an ensuing fire. He was uninjured.
The Infinite Hero team skipped the final qualifying session to get ready to race for the trophy on Sunday and remained late at the track not knowing race day would be rained out.
“This is the first of four in a row and I hope things settle down a little bit and we get to go into the winner’s circle,” said Beckman, who will arrive at Englishtown second in points and only 15 out of first.
“To have what happened to us on Saturday and to run as well as we did today on a chassis without any previous runs is what we expect because Terry Chandler gives the funds to do that, and (team owner) Don Schumacher gives us the personnel and the equipment to be able to run that well.
“But sometimes that’s easier said than done. To actually be able to go out and do it by running two 3.93s after all the things we had to suffer through and Sunday’s rain delay … the silver lining is we have a good combination to take to Englishtown and we don’t have to feel like we have to be rushed to get a new front half on that chassis and press it back into service next weekend.
“I actually think this new chassis drives a little better. The back half of the other chassis had tons of runs on it, and we had run it over parts of the past four years.
“Brighter days are ahead for the Infinite Hero group.”
And Beckman isn’t talking about the weather.
FULL ARTICLE
Even though his last run of 3.937 at 325.30 was impressive, it wasn’t enough to defeat Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr., who advanced to the final round at New England Raceway at Epping, N.H.
That he was even able to get down the track both times was a testament to his Infinite Hero team funded by Terry Chandler and led by crew chief Jimmy Prock with assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
The team needed a resurgent Monday before next weekend’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Englishtown, N.J., which will be the second of four races in four weeks.
The Infinite Hero team exhibited resilience after suffering one of the biggest Funny Car explosions in drag racing history in Saturday’s first qualifying session and was forced to miss the day’s last qualifying run.
As Beckman passed half-track on his third qualifying run, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed the Dodge Charger R/T carbon fiber body, damaged the chassis and caused considerable damage to the electrical wiring from an ensuing fire. He was uninjured.
The Infinite Hero team skipped the final qualifying session to get ready to race for the trophy on Sunday and remained late at the track not knowing race day would be rained out.
“This is the first of four in a row and I hope things settle down a little bit and we get to go into the winner’s circle,” said Beckman, who will arrive at Englishtown second in points and only 15 out of first.
“To have what happened to us on Saturday and to run as well as we did today on a chassis without any previous runs is what we expect because Terry Chandler gives the funds to do that, and (team owner) Don Schumacher gives us the personnel and the equipment to be able to run that well.
“But sometimes that’s easier said than done. To actually be able to go out and do it by running two 3.93s after all the things we had to suffer through and Sunday’s rain delay … the silver lining is we have a good combination to take to Englishtown and we don’t have to feel like we have to be rushed to get a new front half on that chassis and press it back into service next weekend.
“I actually think this new chassis drives a little better. The back half of the other chassis had tons of runs on it, and we had run it over parts of the past four years.
“Brighter days are ahead for the Infinite Hero group.”
And Beckman isn’t talking about the weather.
FULL ARTICLE
Sunday, June 5, 2016
BangShift.com: Watch Jack Beckman Suffer One Of The Worst Funny Car Explosions Of All Time At NHRA Epping
Jun 05, 2016
The NHRA New England Nationals event had already delivered some pretty amazing stuff by the time that Saturday afternoon had rolled around. Historically quick runs in classes from super stock to funny car kept two days of packed house attendance entertained. Track records were leveled multiple times in multiple categories and things were really set up for a nice afternoon of nitro fun in Epping, New Hampshire. That is why no one could have predicted the calamity that would befall Jack Beckman during the third round of funny car qualifying.
While making a run against John Hale, Beckman’s Infinite Hero foundation Dodge exploded with a level of destructive force New England Dragway had never seen before. Funny cars and dragsters explode, it happens, but they don’t usually detonate with the ferocity that this one did. As you will see in the video, the explosion was so great the actual blower case was blown apart (admittedly something we have never seen in a modern blower with a billet case). That gives you an idea of just how much of a bomb this was.
In the videos below you will see the explosion and you will also see John Kernan’s interview with Jack after the hist has settled at the top end of the track. Beckman goes into detail about what it was like to be inside the car when all of this happened and it is a pretty damned good watch.
We were very relieved that Jack was OK. The car is not Ok, though. With a bent chassis and a destroyed engine, the crew was dismantling the thing and getting the backup car ready last night for the racing that we plan on seeing Sunday.
Driving funny cars is a dangerous business but even with that being said, some days are LOTS more dangerous than others.
The NHRA New England Nationals event had already delivered some pretty amazing stuff by the time that Saturday afternoon had rolled around. Historically quick runs in classes from super stock to funny car kept two days of packed house attendance entertained. Track records were leveled multiple times in multiple categories and things were really set up for a nice afternoon of nitro fun in Epping, New Hampshire. That is why no one could have predicted the calamity that would befall Jack Beckman during the third round of funny car qualifying.
While making a run against John Hale, Beckman’s Infinite Hero foundation Dodge exploded with a level of destructive force New England Dragway had never seen before. Funny cars and dragsters explode, it happens, but they don’t usually detonate with the ferocity that this one did. As you will see in the video, the explosion was so great the actual blower case was blown apart (admittedly something we have never seen in a modern blower with a billet case). That gives you an idea of just how much of a bomb this was.
In the videos below you will see the explosion and you will also see John Kernan’s interview with Jack after the hist has settled at the top end of the track. Beckman goes into detail about what it was like to be inside the car when all of this happened and it is a pretty damned good watch.
We were very relieved that Jack was OK. The car is not Ok, though. With a bent chassis and a destroyed engine, the crew was dismantling the thing and getting the backup car ready last night for the racing that we plan on seeing Sunday.
Driving funny cars is a dangerous business but even with that being said, some days are LOTS more dangerous than others.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
CBS8.com: Funny car explodes at the NHRA, driver walks away
NEW ENGLAND (CBS 8) - A scary sight at the NHRA race in New England. Jack Beckman was on his way to a win when his car explodes.
Beckman did an amazing job keeping the car in his lane and pulling the chutes.
The car looked to be a total loss, but Beckman walked away under his own power.
LINK
Beckman did an amazing job keeping the car in his lane and pulling the chutes.
The car looked to be a total loss, but Beckman walked away under his own power.
LINK
RACER.com: Beckman uninjured after explosion
NHRA Funny Car driver Jack Beckman was unhurt after his Infinite Hero
Dodge Charger exploded during Saturday's first round of qualifying for
the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.
Crew chief Jimmy Prock confirmed that a broken camshaft was the cause of the explosion. Beckman was in the process of closing the throttle when the broken camshaft caused the air/fuel mixture to ignite in the manifold, causing the blow-up.
"It was moving around some," Beckman told Fox Sports after he climbed out of the wreckage. "This racetrack can be exciting as a driver, the groove can get tight and sometimes you have to stage off to the inside to get better rubber on the starting line. I pulled it back, and it's moving around some, and I think it just started to spin the tires ... what could have happened is it might have tagged an intake valve, and big explosion, I mean, that's one of the biggest ever.
"The worst for me, 'cause the oil was completely all over my visor, and I actually had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it up, and until then I couldn't any see anything. And it's nice to know that you're not going into the wall. You look at the safety gear and my gloves are burned, my firesuit's burned, and I'm OK. Forty years ago that wouldn't have been the case with a fire like that."
The team planned to continue with the same chassis, foregoing the final session in order to take the time to prepare the car for final eliminations.
Ron Capps maintained his No. 1 qualifying spot in Funny Car qualifying after Friday's elapsed time track-record pass of 3.865 pass (325.92mph) held up.
LINK
Crew chief Jimmy Prock confirmed that a broken camshaft was the cause of the explosion. Beckman was in the process of closing the throttle when the broken camshaft caused the air/fuel mixture to ignite in the manifold, causing the blow-up.
"It was moving around some," Beckman told Fox Sports after he climbed out of the wreckage. "This racetrack can be exciting as a driver, the groove can get tight and sometimes you have to stage off to the inside to get better rubber on the starting line. I pulled it back, and it's moving around some, and I think it just started to spin the tires ... what could have happened is it might have tagged an intake valve, and big explosion, I mean, that's one of the biggest ever.
"The worst for me, 'cause the oil was completely all over my visor, and I actually had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it up, and until then I couldn't any see anything. And it's nice to know that you're not going into the wall. You look at the safety gear and my gloves are burned, my firesuit's burned, and I'm OK. Forty years ago that wouldn't have been the case with a fire like that."
The team planned to continue with the same chassis, foregoing the final session in order to take the time to prepare the car for final eliminations.
Ron Capps maintained his No. 1 qualifying spot in Funny Car qualifying after Friday's elapsed time track-record pass of 3.865 pass (325.92mph) held up.
LINK
DSR: Beckman rides out massive explosion in Infinite Hero Dodge, team skips last qualifying session to prepare for Epping race day
EPPING, N.H. (June 4, 2016) – Jack Beckman rarely misses a qualifying
session, but his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team felt it best to
sit out the last one on Saturday in the NHRA New England Nationals about
60 miles north of Boston.
As he approached the finish line in the third of four qualifying sessions, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed his carbon fiber body and considerable damage was done to electrical wiring from the ensuing fire.
Beckman was not injured, and crew chief Jimmy Prock decided the best way to prepare for Sunday’s scheduled eliminations would be to take time to get either that car or the back-up Dodge ready to race on Sunday.
“I’m sure there was some kind of parts failure,” Prock said after the run. “It started spinning (the rear tires) and it moved to the inside and out of the grove. It was on fire under the (computer) box, so we just have to see how much is burned up.”
The Infinite Hero team, which is sponsored by Terry Chandler, started Saturday ranked sixth in qualifying after a 3.895-second run at 329.99 mph in Friday’s opening session. Beckman, who started Saturday second in points and only 11 behind leader Courtney Force, will start Sunday in the No. 6 spot and face Cruz Pedregon in the opening round.
Beckman felt as though he might have been able to back off the throttle sooner, but Prock said TV video indicated that was not the cause of explosion.
“On the TV video it looked like he was closing the throttle when it started to spin,” Prock said.
Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion seeking his first win of the season, began drifting out of the traction grove past mid-track. As it approached the finish line, the explosion lifted the manifold and detonated the supercharger off the engine. The ensuing fire singed Beckman’s protective boots and fire suit.
“We were concerned about our driver and over the (two-way) radio he said as calmly as he could, ‘I’m fine,’” said assistant crew chief John Medlen. “We work hard to keep these drivers safe. You can fix a racecar.”
Beckman explained the few seconds of unexpected excitement.
“It was moving around some. This racetrack can be exciting for a driver because the grove can get tight. I pulled it back some, and it just started to spin the tires. That’s one of those times where you wish you had a tenth of a second earlier to get off the throttle.
“It was a big explosion, one of the biggest ever.
“The worst was I had oil all over my visor and couldn’t see. Fortunately, I had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it off. Until then I couldn’t see, and it’s just nice to know you’re not going into the wall.
“It’s a helpless feeling.
“When you can’t see you don’t know where anything is out there including (the other car). That’s the terrifying aspect. It’s bouncing and there’s oil all over the tires and you need to slow it down. Once I wiped off the oil, I knew I was slowing down and wasn’t going to hit anything. That’s a nice feeling.”
FULL ARTICLE
NHRA YouTube Video
NHRA Funny Car driver Jack Beckman Walks away from HUGE engine explosion
Jack Beckman's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger exploded and shreded the composite shell at the eighth-mile mark during the third qualifying session at the 2016 NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway. Beckman kept the car straight in his lane. Only the nose of the body remains attached to the car. The manifold and the case of the supercharger are split apart.
As he approached the finish line in the third of four qualifying sessions, a malfunction led to a horrific engine explosion that destroyed his carbon fiber body and considerable damage was done to electrical wiring from the ensuing fire.
Beckman was not injured, and crew chief Jimmy Prock decided the best way to prepare for Sunday’s scheduled eliminations would be to take time to get either that car or the back-up Dodge ready to race on Sunday.
“I’m sure there was some kind of parts failure,” Prock said after the run. “It started spinning (the rear tires) and it moved to the inside and out of the grove. It was on fire under the (computer) box, so we just have to see how much is burned up.”
The Infinite Hero team, which is sponsored by Terry Chandler, started Saturday ranked sixth in qualifying after a 3.895-second run at 329.99 mph in Friday’s opening session. Beckman, who started Saturday second in points and only 11 behind leader Courtney Force, will start Sunday in the No. 6 spot and face Cruz Pedregon in the opening round.
Beckman felt as though he might have been able to back off the throttle sooner, but Prock said TV video indicated that was not the cause of explosion.
“On the TV video it looked like he was closing the throttle when it started to spin,” Prock said.
Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion seeking his first win of the season, began drifting out of the traction grove past mid-track. As it approached the finish line, the explosion lifted the manifold and detonated the supercharger off the engine. The ensuing fire singed Beckman’s protective boots and fire suit.
“We were concerned about our driver and over the (two-way) radio he said as calmly as he could, ‘I’m fine,’” said assistant crew chief John Medlen. “We work hard to keep these drivers safe. You can fix a racecar.”
Beckman explained the few seconds of unexpected excitement.
“It was moving around some. This racetrack can be exciting for a driver because the grove can get tight. I pulled it back some, and it just started to spin the tires. That’s one of those times where you wish you had a tenth of a second earlier to get off the throttle.
“It was a big explosion, one of the biggest ever.
“The worst was I had oil all over my visor and couldn’t see. Fortunately, I had time to reach up with my glove and wipe it off. Until then I couldn’t see, and it’s just nice to know you’re not going into the wall.
“It’s a helpless feeling.
“When you can’t see you don’t know where anything is out there including (the other car). That’s the terrifying aspect. It’s bouncing and there’s oil all over the tires and you need to slow it down. Once I wiped off the oil, I knew I was slowing down and wasn’t going to hit anything. That’s a nice feeling.”
FULL ARTICLE
NHRA YouTube Video
NHRA Funny Car driver Jack Beckman Walks away from HUGE engine explosion
Jack Beckman's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger exploded and shreded the composite shell at the eighth-mile mark during the third qualifying session at the 2016 NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway. Beckman kept the car straight in his lane. Only the nose of the body remains attached to the car. The manifold and the case of the supercharger are split apart.
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