BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 26, 2017) - The annual visit to the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in the wine country near San Francisco means more to 2012 Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman than going for his third Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event title this season with Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team.
The race week starts Thursday for Beckman when he is the emcee for the 11th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner to benefit Speedway Children's Charities. The special event at StoneTree Golf Club in Novato, Calif., is dedicated to the memory of Eric Medlen, the former Funny Car driver who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley not far from his home track.
Beckman has only missed attending one of the dinners and has been the emcee the past few years. This will be the second one that has more meaning to him because one of his crew chiefs is John Medlen whose son Eric succumbed to injuries sustained from a testing accident in 2007.
"Eric Medlen Nitro Night always has been special for me, but it has meant even more since I started to work with John," said Beckman, who won the Funny Car title and pole two years ago at Sonoma Raceway.
"Everybody loved Eric and this night is how we show that, and thanks to Eric we get to help a lot of kids programs through Speedway Charities."
Beckman, who lives in Southern California, is eager to help charities including the Infinite Hero Foundation. On Sunday night near Denver after Don Schumacher Racing's Dodge Charger R/T lost in the second round of competition, he filled in as the emcee of a fund-raiser for Infinite Hero.
His DSR teammates on the Top Fuel winning Matco Tools team with driver Antron Brown signed their Denver NHRA Wally Trophy they had just received and donated it for auction at the Infinite Hero event. Beckman put on his auctioneer hat and it raised $8,000 for Infinite Hero and the benevolent winning bidder gave it back for a future auction to raise even more money.
"We were disappointed that we didn't win the trophy at Denver, but when something like that happens it really puts racing into a proper perspective," Beckman said.
"That tent was full of supporters of Infinite Hero who understand the mission. There were several heroes there who have benefitted from how Infinite Hero changes the lives or our injured veterans.
"We wouldn't be able have a night like that were it not for Terry Chandler," he said of the late Terry Chandler, who has funded the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars driven by Beckman and the Make-A-Wish team with Tommy Johnson Jr. the past few years. She died on July 4 after a short but valiant fight against brain cancer and her family will continue to fund the teams at least through the end of this season.
"Terry keeps on giving."
Beckman and Johnson will battle beginning Friday at Sonoma to win another trophy for Terry. Johnson has advanced to the final round the past two races but came up a little short each time.
"I've got great memories at Sonoma," said Beckman, who raced there many times as an amateur NHRA Sportsman racer before turning pro full time in 2007.
He recalls his success at the picturesque track in 2015 as a major mark in his career.
Sonoma is the second event in the grueling three-week Western Swing that began last week near Denver and concludes near Seattle. JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2017 3rd 14 2 2 2 6 2 0 0 23-12 CAREER 266 26 27 47 79 80 21 7 355-233 Career best time, speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016) SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 6, lost in second round to eventual event winner Robert Hight A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No.9, lost in second to Del Worsham Career at Sonoma: 1 (2015); runner-up 1 (2010); poles 2 (2010, 2015)
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Denver; 14th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,244 ----- 2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,058 -186 3. Robert Hight (1) 973 -271 4. JACK BECKMAN (2) 970 -274 5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 925 -319 6. Courtney Force 793 -451 7. John Force (1) 757 -487 8. Tim Wilkerson 634 -610 9. J.R. Todd 612 -632 10. Cruz Pedregon 538 -706
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven 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 and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 312 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
SONOMA, Calif. (July 29, 2017) - Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar team led by crew chief Todd Okuhara and assistant Joe Barlam enjoyed their best overall qualifying performance when they clinched their fifth No. 1 qualifying position of the year during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals near San Francisco.
While her teammate Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T is the top-qualifier in a Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Chandler's Make-A-Wish team with crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds made the biggest jump in Saturday's last qualifying session and their second quickest run in the session enabled Johnson to jump to the No. 5 qualifying spot.
That, however, will pair Johnson against DSR's reigning world champion and current points leader Ron Capps for the third straight event. The first was in championship round at Chicago where Capps took the title while the second was las week in Denver during the first round where Johnson beat Capps on a holeshot. On Sunday when eliminations begin at 11 a.m. (PDT), they will meet in the first round after Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team stumbled to the No. 12 seed.
"If you have to race a teammate you only want it to be in the final round, never the first round," said Johnson, whose last run was in 3.848 seconds at 325.85 mph for second best of the final qualifying session. "This is a big chance for us to keep Ron from adding to his lead and we need to go some rounds to start moving up in the standings."
Capps will start Sunday with a 183-point lead over DSR's Matt Hagan and the 80th Anniversary Mopar/Express Lane Dodge. Johnson is fifth in the standings and 47 points behind Beckman, who is fourth.
For Pritchett and the Powered by Pennzoil Top Fuel team, they were the quickest in Saturday's opening session that was their fourth consecutive session-leading performance including the last qualifying run at Denver a week ago when she won the pole and advanced to the final round but lost to DSR's three-time and reigning world champion Antron Brown (Matco Tools), who is qualified No. 4.
Stig, left, and Antron Brown debut Sunday
night in the new 'Top Gear America' on BBC America.
"What that says about our team is the attention to detail, going from one extreme to another," she said. "What that says about this team is that they don't even get a little bit lax and instead we're ramping it up. We're ramping up our details, we're ramping up our strategy, we're looking constantly to improve. The true colors of this team are showing."
The No. 1 position is her fifth of the season in the year's 14th event and her second straight. Her pole-winning time on Friday gave a fifth track elapsed time record that is most among Top Fuel drivers.
"We're definitely on a roll," she said. "It's probably the highest confidence that we can have going into Sunday, but keep in mind that anything can happen on Sunday no matter who you're racing. We took this track extremely seriously today, trying to get down it conditions like what we'll see Sunday."
The Papa John's team earned nine bonus qualifying points that cut her gap behind Brown to four and points leader Steve Torrence to 59.
DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
No. 1 qualifier: Leah Pritchett (Don Schumacher Racing), 3.669 sec.-track record, 304.80 mph
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Terry Haddock
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 1
FRIDAY: 3.729 sec., 328.38 mph, (Session 1); 3.669-track record, 304.80, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.782, 324.51, (Session 3); 3.906, 247.61, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 1, lost in championship round to teammate Antron Brown
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 9, lost in first round to teammate Tony Schumacher
Career at Sonoma: Wins 0; Runner-up 0; Poles 0
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army/Toyota Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Troy Buff
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 5.052, 138.77 mph, (Session 1); 3.705, 329.42, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.306, 108.69, (Session 3); 10.595, 67.97, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 7, won in championship round over teammate Leah Pritchett
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to eventual event winner J.R. Todd
Career at Sonoma: Wins 4 (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015); Runner-up 2 (2004, 2006); Poles 2 (2008, 2015)
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Scott Palmer
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.769 sec., 326.79 mph, (Session 1); 3.709, 328.30, (Session 2)
SATURDAY:10.360, 70.68, (Session 3); 9.893, 70.84, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 4, lost in second round to Terry Haddock
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Steve Torrence
Career at Sonoma: Wins 2 (2007, 2008); Runner-up 4 (1999, 2006, 2010, 2011); Poles 3 (2005, 2006, 2011)
DSR FUNNY CARS
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (John Force Racing), 3.807 sec., 339.87 mph-world record
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Jonnie Lindberg
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 3
FRIDAY: 8.640 sec., 80.39 mph, (Session 1); 3.854,m 328.70, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.983, 320.28, (Session 3); 3.910, 324.83, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 6, lost in second round to eventual event winner Robert Hight
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No.9, lost in second to Del Worsham
Career at Sonoma: Wins 1 (2015); Runner-up 1 (2010); Poles 2 (2010, 2015)
TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
QUALIFYING RESULTS
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Ron Capps
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: no time, (Session 1); 3.908, 327.43, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 25.607, 40.78, (Session 3); 3.896, 325.85, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 12, lost in championship round to teammate Ron Capps
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 8, lost in first round to teammate Jack Beckman
Career at Sonoma: 0 Wins; Runners-up 1 (2015); Poles 1 (1994)
MATT HAGAN, 80th Anniversary Mopar/Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Del Worsham
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 6
FRIDAY: 3.904 sec., 330.39 mph-track record, (Session 1); 10.105, 82.71, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 9.862, 76.78, (Session 3); 6.373, 104.79, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.802 sec.-world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph-world record (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 15, lost in second round to Cruz Pedregon
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 4, lost in second round to teammate Ron Capps
Career at Sonoma: Wins 0; Runner-up 1 (2012); Poles 2 (2009, 2013)
RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Tommy Johnson Jr.
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 12
FRIDAY: 4.032 sec., 306.12 mph, (Session 1); 7.001, 96.47, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.000, 321.96, (Session 3); 5.571, 126.10, (Session 4)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 5, lost in first round to teammate Tommy Johnson Jr.
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to John Force
Career at Sonoma: Wins 4 (1997, 2010, 2011, 2013); Runner-up 3 (2002, 2005, 2016); Poles 1 (1998)
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS
(Official after Sonoma qualifying: wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1. Steve Torrence (5) 1,289
2. ANTRON BROWN (3) 1,234
3. LEAH PRITCHETT (3) 1,230
4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 1,008
5. Doug Kalitta 913
6. Brittany Force (1) 895
7. Clay Millican (1) 861
8. Scott Palmer 560
9. Terry McMillen 558
10. Troy Coughlin Jr. 528
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS
(Official after Sonoma qualifying: wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,276
2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,093
3. Robert Hight (1) 1,015
4. JACK BECKMAN (2) 1,009
5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 962
6. Courtney Force 834
7. John Force (1) 801
8. Tim Wilkerson 667
9. J.R. Todd 644
10. Cruz Pedregon 570
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven 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 and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 312 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
SONOMA, Calif. (July 28, 2017) - Leah Pritchett seemed to be on the cusp of setting the second world record on Friday night at Sonoma Raceway near San Francisco but although her Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster slowed just before the finish line it was quick enough to earn the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.
Pritchett, who set the record at Phoenix in the second event of the year at 3.658 seconds, blasted to a time of 3.669 at a slowing speed of 304.80 mph that still set the track's elapsed time record.
"In these Q2 sessions you have to hang it out all on the line from a crew chief standpoint to a driver standpoint and stick with it because things are going to get funky out there," she said of her dragster Powered by Pennzoil and led by crew chief Todd Okuhara and assistant Joe Barlam. "It got with it sooner than it ever had before and we didn't even make it to the finish line."
Within about 100 feet of the finish line, the engine lost the blower belt that virtually stalled the engine.
"We really could have popped out a (3.63) if the belt didn't give out," said Pritchett, who has three event titles this year and has advanced to five final rounds including last week at Denver after she won her fourth pole of the year.
"It feels incredible. I'm overwhelming impressed with my team. I knew we were going after it. We talked about it all week and all day, and prepared for it. I can't thank Papa John's enough and Don Schumacher enough for supplying me with the greatest people and the greatest organization to work for."
She earned the Denver pole in the last qualifying session and also was quickest to start Friday in the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, which is the second stop on the three-week Western Swing. She was joined in her pit area by "Papa John Schnatter before she opened with a time of 3.729 (328.38).
Joining Pritchett in the top-five are teammates Antron Brown (Matco Tools/U.S. Army/Toyota) in fourth and Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army) in fifth.
In Funny Car, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Powered by Pennzoil recorded a remarkable time of 3.854 at 328.70, but not many in the near capacity crowd at Sonoma Raceway near San Francisco seemed to notice.
In the other lane with nighttime temperatures in the mid-60s, Robert Hight of John Force Racing set a world record with a speed of 339.87 mph that took the mark from Beckman's Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan, whose previous record was 338.85 set earlier this year at Topeka, Kan.
Hagan, who is seeded fifth, had set the track record at 330.39 in the opening session.
The most frightening run in the first session was with Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish Dodge but driver Tommy Johnson Jr. used his veteran experience to save what could have been a disastrous run. Just passed half-track at about 270 mph, the right-side rear axle broke that allowed the wheel to separate from the car and Johnson backed out of the throttle almost instantly before the right rear quarter-panel was damaged when it smacked guardwall.
"It could have been a lot worse. An interesting ride," said Johnson, whose team led by crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds have advanced to championship rounds at the last two events.
"I can't remember the last time I saw a rear axle shear off like that. When it happened, the left tire was still going and it instantly powered the car toward the wall. I was able to catch it quickly and steer it away. Then I saw the right tire passing me."
The Make-A-Wish crew replaced the body and rear end for the next session when Johnson responded with a 3.908 (327.43) to settle for the No. 6 spot going into Saturday's final two sessions before Sunday eliminations are scheduled to start at 11 a.m. (MDT).
DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Leah Pritchett (Don Schumacher Racing), 3.669 sec.-track record, 304.80 mph
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 1
FRIDAY: 3.729 sec., 328.38 mph, (Session 1); 3.669-track record, 304.80, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 1, lost in championship round to teammate Antron Brown
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 9, lost in first round to teammate Tony Schumacher
Career at Sonoma: Wins 0; Runner-up 0; Poles 0
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No.
FRIDAY: 3.769 sec., 326.79 mph, (Session 1); 3.709, 328.30, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 4, lost in second round to Terry Haddock
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Steve Torrence
Career at Sonoma: Wins 2 (2007, 2008); Runner-up 4 (1999, 2006, 2010, 2011); Poles 3 (2005, 2006, 2011)
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army/Toyota Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No.
FRIDAY: 5.052, 138.77 mph, (Session 1); 3.705, 329.42, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 7, won in championship round over teammate Leah Pritchett
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to eventual event winner J.R. Todd
Career at Sonoma: Wins 4 (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015); Runner-up 2 (2004, 2006); Poles 2 (2008, 2015)
DSR FUNNY CARS
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (John Force Racing), 3.807 sec., 339.87 mph-world record
MATT HAGAN, 80th Anniversary Mopar/Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.904 sec., 330.39 mph-track record, (Session 1); 10.105, 82.71, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.802 sec.-world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph-world record (2017, Topeka)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 15, lost in second round to Cruz Pedregon
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 4, lost in second round to teammate Ron Capps
Career at Sonoma: Wins 0; Runner-up 1 (2012); Poles 2 (2009, 2013)
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 8.640 sec., 80.39 mph, (Session 1); 3.854,m 328.70, (Session 2)
Career best time, speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 6, lost in second round to eventual event winner Robert Hight
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No.9, lost in second to Del Worsham
Career at Sonoma: Wins 1 (2015); Runner-up 1 (2010); Poles 2 (2010, 2015)
TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 6
FRIDAY: no time, (Session 1); 3.908, 327.43, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 12, lost in championship round to teammate Ron Capps
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 8, lost in first round to teammate Jack Beckman
Career at Sonoma: 0 Wins; Runners-up 1 (2015); Poles 1 (1994)
RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.032 sec., 306.12 mph, (Session 1); 7.001, 96.47, (Session 2)
SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS
Career best time, speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 5, lost in first round to teammate Tommy Johnson Jr.
A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to John Force
Career at Sonoma: Wins 4 (1997, 2010, 2011, 2013); Runner-up 3 (2002, 2005, 2016); Poles 1 (1998)
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven 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 and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 312 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
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 26, 2017) - The annual visit to the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in the wine country near San Francisco means more to 2012 Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman than going for his third Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event title this season with Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team.
The race week starts Thursday for Beckman when he is the emcee for the 11th annual Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity Dinner to benefit Speedway Children's Charities. The special event at StoneTree Golf Club in Novato, Calif., is dedicated to the memory of Eric Medlen, the former Funny Car driver who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley not far from his home track.
Beckman has only missed attending one of the dinners and has been the emcee the past few years. This will be the second one that has more meaning to him because one of his crew chiefs is John Medlen whose son Eric succumbed to injuries sustained from a testing accident in 2007.
"Eric Medlen Nitro Night always has been special for me, but it has meant even more since I started to work with John," said Beckman, who won the Funny Car title and pole two years ago at Sonoma Raceway.
"Everybody loved Eric and this night is how we show that, and thanks to Eric we get to help a lot of kids programs through Speedway Charities."
Beckman, who lives in Southern California, is eager to help charities including the Infinite Hero Foundation. On Sunday night near Denver after Don Schumacher Racing's Dodge Charger R/T lost in the second round of competition, he filled in as the emcee of a fund-raiser for Infinite Hero.
His DSR teammates on the Top Fuel winning Matco Tools team with driver Antron Brown signed their Denver NHRA Wally Trophy they had just received and donated it for auction at the Infinite Hero event. Beckman put on his auctioneer hat and it raised $8,000 for Infinite Hero and the benevolent winning bidder gave it back for a future auction to raise even more money.
"We were disappointed that we didn't win the trophy at Denver, but when something like that happens it really puts racing into a proper perspective," Beckman said.
"That tent was full of supporters of Infinite Hero who understand the mission. There were several heroes there who have benefitted from how Infinite Hero changes the lives or our injured veterans.
"We wouldn't be able have a night like that were it not for Terry Chandler," he said of the late Terry Chandler, who has funded the Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars driven by Beckman and the Make-A-Wish team with Tommy Johnson Jr. the past few years. She died on July 4 after a short but valiant fight against brain cancer and her family will continue to fund the teams at least through the end of this season.
"Terry keeps on giving."
Beckman and Johnson will battle beginning Friday at Sonoma to win another trophy for Terry. Johnson has advanced to the final round the past two races but came up a little short each time.
"I've got great memories at Sonoma," said Beckman, who raced there many times as an amateur NHRA Sportsman racer before turning pro full time in 2007.
He recalls his success at the picturesque track in 2015 as a major mark in his career.
Sonoma is the second event in the grueling three-week Western Swing that began last week near Denver and concludes near Seattle.
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2017 3rd 14 2 2 2 6 2 0 0 23-12 CAREER 266 26 27 47 79 80 21 7 355-233 Career best time, speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016) SONOMA BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 23), Denver: Qualified: No. 6, lost in second round to eventual event winner Robert Hight A year ago at Sonoma: Qualified No.9, lost in second to Del Worsham Career at Sonoma: 1 (2015); runner-up 1 (2010); poles 2 (2010, 2015)
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Denver; 14th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,244 ----- 2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,058 -186 3. Robert Hight (1) 973 -271 4. JACK BECKMAN (2) 970 -274 5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 925 -319 6. Courtney Force 793 -451 7. John Force (1) 757 -487 8. Tim Wilkerson 634 -610 9. J.R. Todd 612 -632 10. Cruz Pedregon 538 -706
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven 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 and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 312 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2017) - Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car dropped one spot to fourth in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series standings Sunday when Robert Hight pulled around by three points when he beat Beckman in the second round and went on to win the event title that snapped Don Schumacher Racing streak of 10 straight wins.
Beckman qualified sixth but could only muster a 4.319-second run at 289.65 mph to a subpar but quicker 4.146 (305.22) by John Force Racing's Hight.
"We had to scramble to change engines before the second round," said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion who has won twice this year.
"We had an issue where we didn't even get to warm (the car) up on nitro. We got behind the eight-ball and that really affected the performance of the car. And it's really unfortunately because I think we had a car that could've won."
The NHRA travels next week to northern California for the second stop of the annual Western Swing for the 30th annual NHRA Nationals at Sonoma.
Beckman claimed the title at Sonoma in 2015 and hopes to bring Chandler's Dodge back to the winner's circle in 2017. DSR FUNNY CARS Event winner: Robert Hight (John Force Racing) No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 3.889 sec., 328.30 mph - track records
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/TCrew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh SUNDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS First round: BECKMAN (4.027 sec., 320.20 mph) def. Alexis DeJoria (4.056, 316.90) Second round: Robert Hight (4.146, 305.22) def. BECKMAN (4.319, 289.63) QUALIFYING RESULTS Qualified: No. 6 FRIDAY: 7.990 sec., 87.61 mph, (Session 1); 4.024, 319.60, (Session 2) SATURDAY: 4.037, 314.75, (Session 3); 3.978, 316.97, (Session 4) DENVER BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 9), Joliet, Ill.: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Tim Wilkerson A year ago at Denver: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Ron Capps Career at Denver: Wins 3 (2007, 2012, 2015); Runner-ups 1 (2008); Poles 1 (2012)
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Denver; 14th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,244 ----- 2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,058 -186 4. Robert Hight (1) 973 -271 3. JACK BECKMAN (2) 970 -274 5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 925 -319 6. Courtney Force 793 -451 7. John Force (1) 757 -487 8. Tim Wilkerson 634 -610 9. J.R. Todd 612 -632 10. Cruz Pedregon 538 -706
About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven 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 and the Papa John's Pizza/Mopar Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the 80th anniversary Mopar/ Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 312 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 19, 2017) - During the four-race June Swing in June, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team claimed two of the titles. As the NHRA heads west, the team hopes to transition their success into the three-week Western Swing.
The annual Western Swing kicks off at this weekend's 38th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals near Denver with races following at Sonoma, Calif., and near Seattle.
"I get asked a lot from friends, from fans and they say, 'Hey, listen. We want to pick a race to go to that we've never been to, do you have any recommendations?' And Denver is always right at the top of my list," Beckman said.
"You're not going to see record-breaking elapsed times you see at the sea level tracks, but it doesn't matter. It's so completely unique in every aspect of the facility. From the fact that it's carved into the side of the mountain, from the point that it's a mile above sea level, meaning that none of our tune-up data from the 20 other tracks seems to apply there, and the fact that it's family-owned and has been there for five decades.
"Every single aspect of that facility is perfect for drivers and a nightmare for crew chiefs. They have no other data to apply to that facility except from past years racing there. But for the fans and the drivers, it's a spectacle that no other facility can offer."
The goal of every NHRA team is to "sweep the Swing," by winning all three of the races in the three-race series and Beckman and the Infinite Hero Dodge nearly did it two years ago.
The team won at Denver then later won in Sonoma, Calif., two years ago before coming up short in Seattle.
"After the June Swing, which is four in a row, this is a piece of cake. For our crew members, who are driving the rigs from race to race, the added marathon element of the Western Swing is the number of miles they have to cover between races and the terrain that they're going over.
"During the June Swing, the tracks are closer in proximity and it's a bit of a friendlier tow. It's really tough on the crew guys to have to hustle this stuff up and down the highway, service it, race it, then repeat. From a driver's standpoint, I can't wait."
The Mile-High Nationals kicks off 6 p.m. (MT) Thursday with the annual Mopar Block Party at Golden, Colo., when downtown is closed for a free car show, Mopar and other displays, food vendors, live music and autograph session from 6:45-7:45 featuring Beckman and DSR's other Mopar drivers.
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L 2017 3rd 13 2 2 2 5 2 0 0 22-11 CAREER 265 26 27 47 78 80 21 7 354-232 Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016) DENVER BY THE NUMBERS Last event (July 9), Joliet, Ill.: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Tim Wilkerson A year ago at Denver: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Ron Capps Career at Denver: Wins 3 (2007, 2012, 2015); Runner-ups 1 (2008); Poles 1 (2012) 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Official after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1. RON CAPPS (6) 1,208 ----- 2. MATT HAGAN (3) 1,022 -186 3. JACK BECKMAN (2) 914 -294 4. Robert Hight 853 -355 5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 833 -375 6. Courtney Force 749 -459 7. John Force (1) 718 -490 8. Tim Wilkerson 599 -609 9. J.R. Todd 559 -649 10. Cruz Pedregon 463 -745
The reality of the loss took a while to sink in for Fast Jack Beckman, the two-time NHRA champion with a reputation of doing things fast.
Beckman drives the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger Funny Car, a Funny Car designed to bring awareness to the plight of injured soldiers returning home with debilitating injuries and funded solely by longtime drag racing fan and philanthropist Terry Chandler.
Following the first day of qualifying for the NHRA Fallen Heroes Route 66 Nationals, the enormity of losing Chandler hit him dead-center as he reflected on a day of racing his 10,000 horsepower entry.
Chandler passed away on July 4, following a brave battle against brain cancer.
His day in the office hadn't been bad, a 3.856 elapsed time at 330.23 miles per hour locked him provisionally and solidly into the second spot.
“I was watching some TV before I went to sleep, and that’s when it really hit me that tomorrow Terry’s going to be laid to rest,” Beckman said. “That they’re going to have a funeral service and take her to the cemetery. That really is the last physical connection you’re going to have to a person on this planet, and we couldn’t go.”
Chandler loved her drivers, Beckman and Tommy Johnson Jr., and her teams, but getting recognition for her charitable causes Infinite Hero Foundation and the Make A Wish program, meant just as much.
Beckman understood Chandler would have been adamant the show had to go on. These causes needed to reach as many people as they could, and being parked would defeat her mission.
Beckman, a cancer survivor himself, lived vicariously through Don and Megan Schumacher, who attended the private ceremony Saturday on behalf of the entire Don Schumacher Racing operation.
Still, there remains a measure of regret buried in Beckman's heart which floated to the top in the emotional moment of Saturday morning's wee hours.
"I think there was always the thought in my mind that we’d have more time with her," Beckman admitted. "Even if the disease was going to be terminal, there would be a time; there would be that closure, that face to face time. And in a way, I feel cheated that we never got that. I’m sure a lot of people feel that way.
"I know a lot of fans were expecting to see her back at the race track. I feel like she got cheated. I feel like from the time of her diagnosis to the time of her passing, because of the brain swelling and other complications, she just didn’t have that many good days. She didn’t have that much time to come to terms with things.
"And then it kind of hit me that the other side of this, the silver lining part is that maybe the last three years were some of the best years of her life out here."
Beckman's sentiment was validated in the service when a large bulk of the photos shown at the service were of her moments with the team and the guests her charity-based Funny Cars brought to the races.
"Megan brought me back a card from her funeral service with a beautiful picture of Terry, and it’s stuck in the seat insert of the car," Beckman said. "So it’s going to be going with me; I think that we all want to maintain some sort of connection to our loved ones. And with Terry, you don’t need to look any further than the sides of our race cars or our transporters to see her impact. It’s a chance for us to maintain her legacy out here."
After all, Beckman knew first-hand of Chandler's ability to impact a situation, because he was the benefactor of her passion for drag racing. In 2014, she teamed with Don Schumacher to field the initial Infinite Hero awareness tour. And, just two seasons ago, Beckman was staring down a bleak future when his primary sponsor decided to go elsewhere with their marketing dollars.
At best, Beckman was looking at a part-time schedule; at worst he was out of professional drag racing.
"Terry was incredibly passionate about everything Infinite Hero represents," Beckman explained. "These combat veterans voluntarily enlist, get sent off to a foreign land, and they get injured. Whether it’s a brain injury or physical injury, they come back less whole than they were when they left. And we’ve done a lot of positive things to change their lives. And she loved, loved, loved our veterans."
Beckman believes in the time he was associated with Chandler he was able to see directly into the heart of an angel.
"I don’t know that the average person could understand Terry and the depth of her caring for children," Beckman continued. "And all the things she did behind the scenes in New Mexico for kids that were disadvantaged. And all the things she did for kids who didn’t get any breaks early in life, to try and give them a chance at a 'normal life."
"But to see her, Terry was such a busy body. She was a little Nervous Nellie about so many things. Fastidious and running around and like a person that’s late for work, in a little bit of a panic mode sometimes, until it came time for the Make-A-Wish kids. It was like somebody flipped a switch in that woman. She just took that metaphorical deep breath and was in her element surrounded by kids that were having a better day because of something she did. And I don’t know if she knew it was something she did.
"I think she was so immersed in loving being around them; I don’t know that she ever realized it was because of her that they were having that. And it wasn’t just the kids; it was their families. It was a chance for the parents to have a day with their kids where their kids weren’t sick. As a father, that really hit home. I’m not sure I would have appreciated that before my children were born."
As Beckman heads into Denver, he's ready to put his game face on and go out to bring awareness to the Infinite Hero Foundation, his primary reason for racing. Winning is just the icing on the cake.
He'll certainly have some alone time, and most likely those thoughts will be consumed with thoughts of Chandler, and his regrets of not being able to say goodbye the way he wanted to.
If given a chance, he runs over the scenario in his mind.
"You know, at the end of the day I don’t know that you’d need to speak any words," Beckman admitted. "I think just to hold her hand would have sufficed for both of us. I just think the eye contact and holding her hand; I think sometimes that’s enough."
And for a person who presents his words eloquently, the silence would be golden.
MORRISON, Colo. – The first time Jack Beckman went to the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway, he was a wide-eyed teenager and fan who simply wanted to take as many pictures and get as many autographs as he could.
More than 30 years later, it’s come full circle for Beckman. The former Funny Car world champion is a three-time winner at the scenic facility and the event remains one of Beckman’s favorite races on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour. Returning for this weekend’s 38th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals in his 10,000-horsepower Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T, Beckman talked about why he’s always loved Bandimere Speedway, despite its unique challenges.
“It’s a bucket list race for the fans and I tell everybody that you have to go at least once,” Beckman said. “Everything about it is hyper-unique. It’s a family-owned track, it has great history and history for me, personally. It’s literally carved into the side of a mountain and it’s just completely unique.”
Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and FOX, including live final eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 23. It is the 14th of 24 events during the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and also the first of three races on the famed NHRA Western Swing.
Beckman’s last win in Denver came in 2015 and he heads out west feeling good about the way his new-look team has come on as of late. He picked up his first win of the season four races ago in Englishtown, adding another victory in Norwalk and final round berth in Bristol as well. It’s pushed him to third in points behind Don Schumacher Racing teammates Ron Capps and Matt Hagan, but more importantly it gave the team a huge boost of confidence in the ultra-talented Funny Car class.
“I think we officially threw our hat into the ring with our performance (over the last four races),” Beckman said. “Up to that point, we had struggled. We had made progress, but we hadn’t gotten to the point we needed. That first win was so crucial to let the guys know we had the right stuff. They know we’re contenders and they know we can (win) now. The two races we’ve won this year, we still didn’t have the best car on Sunday. We’re not where we ultimately want to be with our consistency, but I think it underscores perseverance and attitude. We’ve got a winner’s mentality.”
But to add to the trophy collection this year and ultimately become a viable championship contender, Beckman knows that consistency must improve. Having previous success in the difficult conditions at Bandimere Speedway help, but Beckman knows that making the most of the next five races before the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship is important. With that in mind and seeing the potential in his team, Beckman is aiming high during the Western Swing and beyond.
“Between now and Indy, I would love to make 40 runs between Denver and that first qualifying pass in Indy,” said Beckman, who has 26 career wins. “That’s the goal. Quality and quantity of runs is important. You get more data and it also means you’re going deeper on Sundays. Now that this team has have two trophies in their collection, they just can’t wait to try to get the next one.”
Schumacher will try for a fourth Top Fuel win at Bandimere Speedway, while also trying to track down points leader Steve Torrence, who has five wins in 2017.
Johnson remained “King of the Mountain” in Pro Stock, winning for the seventh time at Bandimere. His mastery of the track has included 10 straight final rounds on the mountain.
Hines will try for a fifth Pro Stock Motorcycle win in Denver to reach the most in class history, but he’ll have to get past points leader LE Tonglet, who already has four victories in 2017.
The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. After Nitro qualifying, fans can watch the spectacular Muy Caliente Racing jet dragsters sponsored by Lucas Oil, driven by the General Manager of Bandimere Speedway, "Sporty" Bandimere! Jet cars are thrust driven propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows. As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
On the evening of Thursday, July 20, the official “starter” event of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals will commence with the free admission Mopar Mile-High Block Party in downtown Golden, Colorado, from 6 – 10 p.m. MT. Mopar is partnering with Pennzoil to put on the 16th edition of the extravaganza featuring an autograph session with all top Mopar NHRA stars.
Live music, food and drink tents, merchandise, interactive displays including the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators and a car show featuring plenty of Mopar muscle are also on tap at the fan event. Popular Denver-area morning radio show host Willie B. from KBPI 106.7 FM will serve as the event emcee. For complete information on the Mopar Mile-High Block Party, visit www.milehighblockparty.com.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 22, at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 23.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-664-UWIN (8946) or 303-697-6001. Tickets also are available online at www.bandimere.com. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
BY MIKE GRIFFITH mgriffith@bakersfield.com Jul 12, 2017
“Fast” Jack Beckman is more than just a championship Funny Car driver. He’s a huge fan of drag racing, past and present.
That point was driven home Wednesday during the Power Hour Show when Beckman called in and talked about a wide-range of subjects while sitting in his car in parking lot in Norco as his son was in a piano lesson.
“Race car driver by weekend, normal dad by week,” he said.
But it has been anything but normal lately for Beckman.
Terry Chandler, who sponsored his Infinite Hero car as well as the Make A Wish car driven don Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr., died from brain cancer on July 4, just a few months after being diagnosed.
“She was very successful in business and had a heart larger than anybody in life, she wanted to make a difference,” Beckman said.
She certainly did that for a wide range of people, including Beckman.
“She literally changed thousands of lives, including mine,” he said. “ Let’s be honest about this, it’s tough to find sponsorship in drag racing. Nitro drivers are a lot like spark plugs, you can use them up and throw them out.
“There’s a long line of unemployed drivers. I’d have been back fixing elevators three years ago if it hadn’t been for Terry stepping up.”
Beckman would have loved to win the Route 66 Nationals on Sunday to honor Chandler but he went out in the second round. The next best thing would have seen Johnson get the win.
That didn’t happen but it was a win for DSR as fellow teammate Ron Capps beat Johnson in the final.
“I stood in the wrong place,” Beckman quipped. “I stood behind Tommy’s car. I think I should have stood in front of Ron’s car.”
But the end result, Beckman pointed, underscored the integrity of DSR.
“Let’s be honest, in any situation, with any team, I think everybody would have completely understood if that NAPA car idled down the track and gave the win to Make A Wish.
“The bigger picture here, we all love and miss Terry, but that’s a team that came to win and Terry would have accepted nothing less.”
Beckman is a regular visitor to Auto Club Famoso Raceway and makes a point of attending the March Meet and Hot Rod Reunion whenever possible.
“I can’t get enough of them, I love them” he said of the Nostalgia Funny Cars that compete at those events.
He said his first drag race was at Orange County International Raceway in 1973 when his uncle, a huge fans of “the orange car,” took him.
That orange car was the Top Fuel dragster driven by Bakersfield’s James Warren, who became his favorite driver.
“He was a six-time division champion which mean he wore the number 71 on his car that many times,” Beckman said of Warren. “When I got my Top Fuel license in 2005 I paid the money and bought that that number for life.”
Street racing at Famoso
Auto Club Famoso Raceway will hold a Street Tuners event Saturday for anyone with a street legal car or bike.
The event runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is geared to the serious racer with a street car as well as the curious would-be racer.
“I had street raced several times and when my El Camino got towed away on a flatbed because the cops impounded it, that was the last time I ever street raced,” Beckman said.
Beckman said there is likely a group of street racers who can never be lured to the track, “there are just some too dumb for their own good,” he said, but noted there are others who will give it a try and find it rewarding.
Famoso’s Blake Bowser said there are plenty of people at the track to help newbies understand the process and learn the basics about strip drag racing. And you don’t to show you cards so to speak as drivers can opt not to have their numbers (elapsed time and mile per hour) displayed on the scoreboard.
JOLIET, Ill. (July 9, 2017) - Jack Beckman probably can't recall when he's ever been glad to leave a racetrack.
But that's how he felt Sunday after losing in the second round of the NHRA Route 66 Nationals near Chicago.
It had nothing to with what happened on the track but the recent death of Terry Chandler put racing into its proper perspective.
"Not a good weekend," he said. "Normally I leave here with a philosophical approach and a silver-lining type of thing. We really just had one goal this weekend. Terry (Chandler) was just laid to rest and we wanted to put her car in the winner's circle and we didn't get it done. So that's a little bit heartbreaking."
Terry died on the Fourth of July after a three-month valiant fight against brain cancer. Her funeral was Saturday. She was 65.
She funded Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars for Beckman to benefit the Infinite Hero Foundation and another for Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"To put it in context, though, we get a chance at another race. We can still do some great things for her and for Infinite Hero the rest of the year. It's been a tough weekend.
"I thought today would be a little bit easier for me to flip that switch and go into race mode. Once the car started it was OK, but when it's not going perfectly it's a tougher day.
"It's just a lot to deal with having lost somebody that did so much for us."
Before racing began, her Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams were joined by her brother Johnny Gray's Gray Motorsports Pro Stock team along with the DSR family, NHRA racing community and many of the sport's most iconic drivers behind the starting line to honor Terry with a video montage created by NHRA and a moment of silence to honor her profound impact on hundreds of Make-A-Wish families and military veterans through the Infinite Hero Foundation.
DSR FUNNY CARS
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (3.851 sec., 334.73 mph-track records)
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.020 sec., 320.2 mph) def. Bob Bode (DQ, centerline)
Second round: Tim Wilkerson (4.107, 314.61) def. BECKMAN (5.061, 172.65)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.966 sec., 324.36 mph, (Session 1); 3.856, 330.23, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.872, 100.56, (Session 3); 4.551, 182.38, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 9, won in championship round over Robert Hight
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 2, won in championship round over Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Unofficial after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1 RON CAPPS (6) 1,208 ----- 2 MATT HAGAN (3) 1,022 -186 3 JACK BECKMAN (2) 914 -294 4 Robert Hight 853 -355 5 TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 833 -375 6 Courtney Force 749 -459 7 John Force (1) 718 -490 8 Tim Wilkerson 599 -609 9 J.R. Todd 559 -649 10 Cruz Pedregon 463 -745
All DSR Funny Car final, Brown's trophy run in Top Fuel near Chicago
provide ultimate salute to honor the beloved, the late Terry Chandler
JOLIET, Ill. (July 9, 2017) - Don Schumacher won five NHRA national event titles as a driver and had collected another 3 05 as an owner before his seven-car team arrived near Chicago for this weekend's Route 66 Nationals.
But none would have had the emotional meaning had Tommy Johnson Jr. and the late Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish team with crew chief John Collins and Rip Reynolds crossed the finish line ahead of teammate Ron Capps in Sunday's final round.
Don Schumacher Racing's total is now 311 after Ron Capps and the NAPA Intrepid Fallen Heroes Dodge Charger R/T won its' sixth event title of the season and DSR's 12th in 13 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races by edging Johnson for the title.
It was almost another double-up day for DSR when two-time reigning world champ Antron Brown advanced to the Top Fuel final round before losing to Steve Torrence.
But Sunday was about more than earning points or setting records, winning or losing.
It was about Terry from the start to finish, but as much as she loved drag racing she would have loved the final Funny Car while being a little disappointed her team didn't win. It came down to the best race of the day with Capps' 4.026-second run at 319.67 mph edging Johnson's 4.047 at 319.90.
Terry's teams had won the previous two Route 66 Funny Car titles with Johnson winning last year and Jack Beckman following Johnson last year.
It was a career-best sixth win for Capps this season in which he has dominated the points standings. This win, however, was one he couldn't have accepted losing.
Terry, who funds DSR Funny Cars for Johnson and the Infinite Hero Dodge for Jack Beckman, was laid to rest Saturday in a private ceremony in New Mexico after a valiant three-month battle against brain cancer.
Before racing began, her Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams were joined by her brother Johnny Gray's Gray Motorsports Pro Stock team along with the DSR family, NHRA racing community and many of the sport's most iconic drivers behind the starting line to honor Terry with a video montage created by NHRA and a moment of silence to honor her profound impact on hundreds of Make-A-Wish families and military veterans through the Infinite Hero Foundation.
Despite not winning the title for Terry, the day ended as it began with tributes to her.
"You already knew how much she was loved, but people that had never met her before wanted to give their respects," Capps said.
"Before we started the car I saw her standing outside my car because I guess you just get so used to it and I had to shake my head for a second. You 're not used to her not being here. Then I did the burnout and I'm like 'oh my gosh, there's her car next to me' and it just was a strange race. I never did see TJ.
"She loved drag racing so much. But we obviously didn't kno w as much. Don went to the service and the funeral on Saturday and came back and said, this was her life. More than we even thought. How much she looked forward to coming to the drag races and making (Make-A-Wish) kids smile. He could not believe, every one of her friends, how much they talked about that's all she talked about when she was back home in New Mexico.
"A very emotional weekend. Bittersweet but at the same time it's a DSR car and I'm glad we can give Don the trophy to do what he's going to do with her family."
In Top Fuel, Brown's thoughts were more about Terry than missing his third title of the season.
"This race was for Miss Terry," he said after the final round. "We just wanted to race hard and it would have been nice to bring it home. Our hearts go out to the Chandler and Gray families. I wish we could have brought it home for them, but she's up there smiling down on us and I'm going to smile right now."
DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS
Event winner: Steve Torrence (CAPCO Contractors)
No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing) 3.711 sec., 323.04 mph
ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN (3.776 sec., 322.42 mph) def. Doug Kalitta (6.478, 152.78)
Second round: BROWN (3.853, 305.29) def. Leah Pritchett (5.247, 139.10)
Semifinals: BROWN (3.784, 325.53) def. Clay Millican (4.689, 165.64)
Final: Steve Torrence (3.779, 326.08) def. BROWN (3.786, 326.71)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 7
FRIDAY: 3.766 sec., 328.54 mph, (Session 1); 6.008, 112.76, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.187, 209.79, (Session 3); 3.766, 326.32, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 5, lost in second round to Leah Pritchett
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over J.R. Todd
Career at Chicago: Wins 5 (2016, 2014, 2012, 2001*, 2000*); Runner-ups 3 (2017, 2009, 2002*);
Poles 2 (2009, 2015) *Pro Stock Motorcycle
LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: PRITCHETT (3.858 sec., 294.18) def. Troy Coughlin (3.968, 279.50)
Second round: Antron Brown (3.853, 305.29) def. PRITCHETT (5.247, 139.10)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.763 sec., 326.48 mph, (Session 1); 8.668, 82.92, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.817 325.30, (Session 3); 3.723, 326.56, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 9, lost in semifinals to Antron Brown
Career at Chicago: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Blake Alexander (3.940 sec., 301.54) def. SCHUMACHER (3.883, 306.26)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.827 sec., 314.24 mph, (Session 1); 3.758, 325.37, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.842, 319.98, (Session 3); 3.821, 321.50 , (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 6, lost in semifinals to J.R. Todd
Career at Chicago: : Wins 5 (2003, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2015); Runner-ups 2 (2010. 2004);
Poles 5 (2012, 2008, 2005/1-2005/2, 2003)
DSR FUNNY CARS
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (3.851 sec., 334.73 mph-track records)
RON CAPPS, NAPA INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (4.005 sec., 320.89 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (4.072, 321.19)
Second round: CAPPS (4.119, 309.98) def. Jim Campbell (4.432, 204.60)
Semifinals: CAPPS (4.038, 318.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.088, 313.58)
Final: CAPPS (4.026, 319.67) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.047, 319.90)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 3.984 sec., 321.27 mph, (Session 1); 3.942, 292.08, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.948 154,97, (Session 3); 4.074, 253.80, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 13, lost in second round to Tommy Johnson Jr.
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 4, lost in championship round to Jack Beckman
Career at Chicago: Wins 2 (2005, 2017); Runner-ups 2 (2016, 2007, 2002); Poles 1 (2013)
TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: JOHNSON (4.026 sec., 319.07 mph) def. John Force (4.982, 157.39)
Second round: JOHNSON (4.026, 317.72) def. J.R. Todd (4.260, 248.75)
Semifinals: JOHNSON (4.015, 317.87) def. Tim Wilkerson (7.734, 117.15)
Final: Ron Capps (4.026, 319.67) def. JOHNSON (4.047, 319.90)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 6
FRIDAY: 4.274 sec., 216.69 mph, (Session 1); 3.913, 326.00, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.214, 226.16, (Session 3); 4.083, 248.43, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 5, lost in semifinals to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Matt Hagan
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2015); Runner-ups 3 (2017, 2014, 2003); Poles 2 (2014, 2006)
MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.162 sec., 251.95 mph) def. Del Worsham (5.718, 133.68)
Second round: HAGAN (4.006, 319.60) def. Alexis DeJoria (4.399, 210.67)
Semifinals: Ron Capps (4.038, 318.84) def. HAGAN (4.088, 313.58)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.946 sec., 326.40 mph, (Session 1); 3.895, 332.10, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.970, 158.20, (Session 3); 10.009, 74.92, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 3 (2014, 2013, 2010); Runner-ups1 (2015); Poles 1 (2016)
JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.020 sec., 320.2 mph) def. Bob Bode (DQ, centerline)
Second round: Tim Wilkerson (4.107, 314.61) def. BECKMAN (5.061, 172.65)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.966 sec., 324.36 mph, (Session 1); 3.856, 330.23, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.872, 100.56, (Session 3); 4.551, 182.38, (Session 4)
CHICAGO BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 15), Norwalk, Ohio: Qualified No. 9, won in championship round over Robert Hight
A year ago at Chicago: Qualified No. 2, won in championsh ip round over Ron Capps
Career at Chicago: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS (Unofficial after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1 Steve Torrence (5) 1,188 ----- 2 LEAH PRITCHETT (3) 1,087 -101 3 ANTRON BROWN (2) 1,085 -103 4 TONY SCHUMACHER (1) 894 -294 5 Doug Kalitta 813 -375 6 Brittany Force (1) 795 -393 7 Clay Millican (1) 773 -415 8 Terry McMillen 509 -679 9 Scott Palmer 496 -692 10 Troy Coughlin Jr. 480 -708 2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS (Unofficial after Joliet, Ill.; 13th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS) 1 RON CAPPS (6) 1,208 ----- 2 MATT HAGAN (3) 1,022 -186 3 JACK BECKMAN (2) 914 -294 4 Robert Hight 853 -355 5 TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 833 -375 6 Courtney Force 749 -459 7 John Force (1) 718 -490 8 Tim Wilkerson 599 -609 9 J.R. Todd 559 -649 10 Cruz Pedregon 463 -745
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 and the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett; and in Funny Car, 2016 world champion Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T; 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr., both of which are funded by the late Terry Chandler.
DSR has won 311 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
