"I think the guys did a phenomenal job of running strong when the conditions were great, and then when the racetrack warmed up on Sunday, we still were able to lay down some impressive numbers," said Beckman who qualified fourth with a time of 3.844 seconds at 331.77 mph.
In the opening round of competition, Beckman lined up against Chad Head of Kalitta Motorsports. Both cars went into tire smoke but Beckman got the win with a coasting 4.218 (217.70) after he left earlier than Head at the starting line.
Beckman then faced former NHRA Funny Car world champion Del Worsham, and lap of 3.883 (328.54) earned lane choice over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan in the semifinals.
During qualifying on Saturday, Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane team earned the world records of 3.802 and 338.85, which is the fastest run ever in NHRA including dragsters.
In the semifinals, Beckman went into tire smoke and slowed to a 4.434 (195.65) as Hagan drove to a 3.918.
"It was frustrating to smoke the tires in the semis," Beckman said. "We knew we had to push hard because we were racing the world's quickest and fastest car.
"After the Vegas race (in April) we stayed and tested there and that has helped us quite a bit, just getting runs down the track and getting used to our combination. In Atlanta, we got bit by weather and missed a couple of qualifying sessions. Here we got bit by bad weather and missed one qualifying run.
"But I think if you look at the strides that we've made since Vegas, this is a team that's becoming one of the top two or three and we keep chipping away at the points. We'll be there pretty soon. Our short-term goal is we need to win a race and get in the Traxxas Shootout."
They'll get another shot at a win in two weeks when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series travels to Epping N.H. for the New England Nationals.
"I think it's a chance for guys to look at data back at the shop and figure out what went right and what we can do better on the things that didn't go right.
"For me, I really would like to get right back in the race car. If they're going to let us stay, we'll stay and test here tomorrow. We don't know if that's an option or not. Again, to get where we need to get, we need runs to the finish line. And whether we do that in qualifying and going deep on Sundays or if we can stay and get a head start with testing, we're going to do whatever it takes to get the Infinite Hero car into the winner's circle."
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: John Medlen, Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 4
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.218 sec., 217.70 mph) def. Chad Head (4.172, 247.97)
Second round: BECKMAN (3.883, 328.54) def. Del Worsham (4.012, 324.36)
Semifinals: Matt Hagan (3.918, 330.55) def. BACKMAN (4.434, 195.65)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.899 sec., 324.59 mph, (Session 1); rained out, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 8.595, 74.38, (Session 3); 3.844, 331.77, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (2016 Seattle)
Career at Topeka: Wins 1 (2012); Runner-ups 1 (2016); Poles (2011)
Funny Car
1. RON CAPPS (4) 748 -----
2. MATT HAGAN (2) 629 -119
3. John Force (1) 524 -224
4. Robert Hight 518 -230
5. JACK BECKMAN 502 -246
6. Courtney Force 464 -284
7. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 461 -287
8. J.R. Todd 378 -370
9. Tim Wilkerson 360 -388
10. Jonnie Lindberg 318 -430
About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families. The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries. For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.
DSR has won 306 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988
