DSR: Beckman, Infinite Hero team finish 2017 season with semifinal finish to place them fourth in NHRA Funny Car points standings

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2017) - After entering race day as the No. 1 qualifier, Funny Car driver Jack Beckman wanted nothing more than to finish the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series season than with a win in Pomona.

Unfortunately, Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation team was defeated by their Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. and the Make-A-Wish team, also funded by the Chandlers, in the semifinal round of the season finale.

"I think the nice thing about this is we now know we have a car that can win any race," Beckman said.

"In the last few races we haven't had any of those lucky breaks in the rounds and once in a while you need those. I was so proud of the guys after the first round. We're warming up for the second round and the clutch seized up.

"So, we had to install a spare clutch cannon and they don't always respond the same. So, the fact that they were able to make the adjustments, we went out there and got the second-round win."

Beckman opened race day as the No. 1 qualifier with his 3.835-second pass at 329.10 mph from Friday. He got the round one win with his 3.837 (333.74) lap over Jeff Arend.

In the second round, he went 3.851 (332.51) to outrun John Force.

Later in the semifinals, Beckman got off the starting line first but Johnson got to the stripe first with his 3.890 (329.18) lap over Beckman's 3.914.

Johnson then went onto to win the event over Robert Hight.

"In the semis against Tommy, the car just didn't do exactly what it was supposed to do. It's a bummer because that round would've been third place in the points. But I don't think we have to change anything in the offseason. I think we get to freshen our inventory, go test and we're ready to unload at the Winternationals."

Beckman will finish the 2017 NHRA season fourth in Funny Car championship standings.

FUNNY CAR                                                                                                                     
2017 NHRA world champion: Robert Hight (John Force Racing)
Event winner: Tommy Johnson Jr. (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.835 sec., 334.98 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (3.837 sec., 333.74 mph) def.  Jeff Arend (10.678, 85.73)
Second round: BECKMAN (3.851, 332.51) def. John Force (3.932, 310.98)
Semifinals: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.890, 329.10) def. BECKMAN (3.914, 327.74)
QUALIFYING
Qualified: No. 1
FRIDAY: 6.825 sec., 95.35 mph, (Session 1); 3.835, 334.98, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.249, 320.40, (Session 3); 3.859, 332.34, (Session 4)

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS - FINAL
(Official standings after 24th of 24  events; DSR drivers in CAPS)

FUNNY CAR                                                                                
  1. Robert Hight-CHAMPION (4)        2686     -----
  2. RON CAPPS (8)                           2588       -98
  3. Courtney Force                             2543     -143
  4. JACK BECKMAN (2)                   2519     -167
  5. MATT HAGAN (4)                        2470     -216
  6. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (2)         2452     -234
  7. John Force (1)                              2388     -298
  8. Tim Wilkerson                               2296     -390
  9. J.R. Todd (2)                                 2282      -404
10. Cruz Pedregon                              2178     -508

DSR: Beckman earns second straight pole to lead strong DSR qualifying

NAPA's Capps cuts gap to 8 points heading to last day of season; Beckman earns second straight pole to lead strong DSR qualifying

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2017) - Ron Capps can take the lead Sunday from points leader Robert Hight in the NHRA Finals and become the first NHRA Funny Car driver since 2001 to win back-to-back world championships to close the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at Pomona, Calif.

Capps trails Hight by eight points and must win one more round in eliminations.

But he also has to make sure that Hight's John Force Racing teammate Courtney Force doesn't make an astounding jump from third place where she is 113 points behind Hight. For her to win the championship, Capps and Hight would need to lose in the first round and she would have to win four rounds to get her first title of the season.

"We couldn't have asked for a crazier day in the overall picture," said Capps, whose best run of the day was early in the afternoon at 3.897 seconds and 328.22 mph.

"We felt comfortable running that qualifier in the heat. (Crew chief Rahn) Tobler actually wanted to try something that last session. It was sort of a blessing that we didn't move up as high as we could have in qualifying but Tobler did learn a lot.

"At the Mopar autograph session this morning it was interesting how my teammates were saying how much they wanted to help by taking out Robert and Courtney. That's a great feeling.

"We know we are the hunters now and not the hunted. That's a great team over there, and we expect them to have a great day tomorrow so we know we have to have a better day.

"I've been saying it all year long, our NAPA AutoCare guys are the absolute best and they make me feel so confident in the car. It's going to be the most pressure we've seen all season. It's going to be fun to be able to strap into the car, look out at my guys, roll to the starting line and see what happens."

Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T Powered by Pennzoil team led by Tobler and assistant Eric Lane are aiming to extend the dominance by Don Schumacher Racing that has won four of the last six Funny Car championships.

A season's worth of drama will be funneled into one Sunday afternoon during championship eliminations scheduled to start at 11 a.m. (PST).

Capps, who qualified sixth, is trying to give DSR its fifth Funny Car world championship in the past seven years.

Hight, who struggled to qualify 15th on his last of four qualifying runs, starts Sunday racing No. 2 qualified Tim Wilkerson. Capps' first-round opponent is Del Worsham, who qualified 11th.

Capps, who has won eight Mello Yello titles this year, is 105 ahead of Courtney Force, who qualified third and will face Capps if both win their opening round races. Hight is in the same eight-car bracket setting up a possible meeting with Capps in the semifinals if they advance that far.

But Capps could get help from teammate Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge. If Hagan and Hight win in the first round the former world champions would meet in the second round.

"I'd like to see if we can get out there and help (Ron) Capps out a little bit and maybe try to take out Robert," said Hagan, who won the last Mello Yello event at Las Vegas two weeks ago.

"But we've got to get there. We've got to get through first round (against Gary Densham) to be able to help anybody. So, the thing about it is our car's running good and we always have a lot of luck here at Pomona. So hopefully we can carry some of that into tomorrow."

Capps earned three bonus points in the third session with a time of 3.897 seconds, which was second best to start Saturday. That cut Hight's lead to 11.

While the other six DSR nitro teams have been eliminated from championship contention, it didn't stop them from producing one of their strongest overall qualifying efforts over the past several races. All teams qualified in the top half of their categories to earn lane choice in the first round.

Jack Beckman in Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T was able to hold on to the No. 1 qualifying spot with his run of 3.835 (334.98) on Friday. That gave the team its second consecutive pole and second of the year with crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh.

The Infinite Hero team also posted the quickest run of the last session with a time of 3.859 (332.34) in the last event of the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event.

"We were low of both of the good (night) sessions, but we won't see that until the final round tomorrow," said Beckman, who is looking for his first title at Pomona. "I like our chances but it's not like it's going to be smooth sailing. We have to make educated, great decisions tomorrow."

In Top Fuel, Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza team led DSR's dragsters by being the quickest in Saturday's first session and are seeded third for Sunday. Right behind is teammate Antron Brown, the three-time and twice reigning Top Fuel world champion. Eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team qualified sixth after winning the pole two weeks ago at Las Vegas.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

DSR: BECKMAN LEADS DAY ONE AT NHRA FINALS

Beckman, Infinite Hero Dodge hold top spot, Capps narrows gap; teammate Brown leads DSR Top Fuel dragsters with No. 3 position

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2017) - Jack Beckman ended the opening day of the NHRA Finals Friday holding the provisional pole with Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.

If his time of 3.835 seconds at 334.98 mph holds up after Saturday's last two qualifying sessions, it would be the second straight pole for the Don Schumacher Racing's Powered by Pennzoil Dodge with crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh.

Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion, was delighted about his quick run and is looking for his first professional win at the historic track in Pomona, Calif., which is about an hour from his home in Norco.

But the pole and possible event win in the last NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event of the year is not how every driver wants to cap off the 24-race season.

"It's not any fun coming here and not being in the championship hunt," said Beckman, who ranks fourth in championship points and is 148 behind leader Robert Hight of John Force Racing and DSR teammate Ron Capps in the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge that is 14 behind Hight.

Beckman is not mathematically eliminated from contention as 183 points remain available in the 53rd annual NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway. But it would take a miracle to achieve that total.

"Our only real chance is if Ron and Robert get into a bar fight tonight and NHRA fines them 100 points," he joked. "We're not in the championship hunt; it's Capps or Hight. But that doesn't mean we won't do everything we can to end the season with our third Wally (trophy) of the year."

Capps with crew chief Rahn Tobler is qualified fourth and earned one qualifying bonus point to chip into the lead held by Hight, who was unable to get down the track on either of his two runs and is ranked 17th and currently not qualified.

DSR's Tommy Johnson Jr., driving the Chandlers' Make-A-Wish Dodge with crew chief John Collins was quickest in the opening session with a 3.887 (314.31) and is ranked third. Although he has been eliminated from contention he is intent on defending the Finals title he won a year ago.

Three-time and twice reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown and DSR's Matco Tools team with crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Mark Oswald were the third quickest dragster of the day but trails points leader Steve Torrence by 133. Brown's best time was 3.696 (326.00).

"That was an excellent run for the Matco Tools/U.S. Army car," said Brown, who arrived at Pomona each of the last two years having already clinched the Top Fuel world title, the second and third of his career. "Tomorrow, we'll get two more good runs, so we've just got to keep pressing. Hoping that .69 will stay up there in the top-five and we'll dig tomorrow. This is the final race and we want to go out doing something special."

Leah Pritchett in the Papa John's Pizza dragster with crew chief Todd Okuhara was quickest in the first session with a 3.712 (326.32) and looks to defend the Winternationals title and pole she won at the track in February.

TOP FUEL                                                                                                               
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing) 3.667 sec.-track record, 330.31 mph

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 3
FRIDAY:6.302 sec., 105.999 mph (Session 1); 3.696, 326.00 (Session 2)

LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.712 sec., 326.32 mph (Session 1); 7.775, 85.31, (Session 2)

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 16
FRIDAY: 5.987 sec.,111.74 mph, (Session 1); 6.119, 117.35, (Session 2)

FUNNY CAR                                                                                                
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.835 sec., 334.98 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 1
FRIDAY: 6.825 sec., 95.35 mph, (Session 1); 3.835, 334.98, (Session 2)

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry and Doug Chandler's Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: John Collins; Assistant: Rip Reynolds
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 3
FRIDAY: 3.887 sec., 314.31 mph, (Session 1); 8.146, 86.30, (Session 2)

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 7
FRIDAY: 6.107 sec., 113.64 mph, (Session 1); 3.956, 322.19, (Session 2)

MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
QUALIFYING
Provisional qualifying position: No. 14
FRIDAY: 7.606 sec., 91.30 mph, (Session 1); 7.947, 79.68, (Session 2)

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS                                   
(Official standings through Las Vegas 2; 23 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)

TOP FUEL                                                                                              
     1. Steve Torrence (8)               2527     -----
     2. Brittany Force (4)                 2507       -20
     3. Doug Kalitta (1)                    2443       -84
     4. ANTRON BROWN (4)          2392     -135
     5. LEAH PRITCHETT (4)          2361     -166
     6. TONY SCHUMACHER (1)    2340     -187
  x-7. Clay Millican (1)                    2326     -201
  x-8. Shawn Langdon                    2267     -260
  x-9. Terry McMillen (1)                 2261     -266
x-10. Scott Palmer                         2169     -358
x=eliminated from championship contention

FUNNY CAR                                                                                            
     1. Robert Hight (4)                    2548     ----
     2. RON CAPPS (8)                   2533       -15
     3. Courtney Force                     2423     -125
     4. JACK BECKMAN (2)            2396     -152
     5. MATT HAGAN (4)                 2387     -161
  x-6. John Force (1)                     ­  2306     -242
  x-7. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)  2276     -272
  x-8. Tim Wilkerson                        2237     -311
  x-9. J.R. Todd (2)                          2233     -315
x-10. Cruz Pedregon                       2163     -345                
x=eliminated from championship contention



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  80th Anniversary Mopar/Pennzoil 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 Pennzoil Dodge Charger R/T, and 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Chandlers' Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 317 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.

Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

NHRA: B. FORCE, BECKMAN, ANDERSON AND ELLIS CURRENT NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT SEASON ENDING AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Top Fuel title contender Brittany Force piloted her Monster Energy dragster to the quickest pass in Auto Club Raceway at Pomona history during qualifying at the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also preliminary qualifiers in their respective categories at the final event of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Force, who entered the race only 20 points behind first, put down a 3.667-second pass at 330.31 mph in the second qualifying session to take over the Top Fuel lead.

“Obviously we’re trying to push the car,” Force said. “To jump up to the No. 1 spot was huge for us but that’s where we need to be. We’re chasing down that No. 1 spot and to have a killer run like that sets us up good for tomorrow and gets us ready for race day. It’s not just a confidence builder for me but for my entire team. It pushes us forward and gives us that momentum.”

Clay Millican is in the second spot with is 3.671 pass at 328.22 while reigning Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown sits in the third position. Current points leader Steve Torrence is in the fifth position.

Southern California native Beckman raced to the top of the Funny Car field with his 3.835 pass at 334.98 in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T during the second session.

“In the summer we found a groove on hot race tracks and then we decided to park that car and unload a new one, which took us a little while to get a handle on,” Beckman said. “A few months ago, in good conditions we were not a top three car, but I think we are now a top three car no matter what the conditions are so we are very satisfied.”

Courtney Force debuted her Advance Auto Parts/Big Machine Records Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 3.871 pass at 334.57 to put her in the second qualifying spot. Tommy Johnson Jr. sits in third. Championship front runner and Force’s teammate, Robert Hight is currently unqualified while reigning world champion and second in points Ron Capps is seventh.

Anderson, who is leading the championship chase in Pro Stock, raced his Chevrolet Camaro to a 6.561 pass at 210.67 in the first qualifying session.

“It was big showing the world we have a great car this weekend. It builds confidence in me,” Anderson said, “It was a great, great day. We got all the points you could possibly get. We’re on top of the pack, on top of the heap. We’ve got a great car and, I’ve been saying all year, you have to peak at the right time. We’ve had a great playoff run. If this could be the best race of the six-race Countdown for me that would be a dream come true, without a doubt. We’re off to a great start.”

Drew Skillman is currently in the second spot after racing a 6.555 at 211.69 and veteran Jeg Coughlin Jr. is in third. Championship contenders Jason Line and Bo Butner are currently qualified sixth and seventh, respectively.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Chip Ellis rode to a 6.805 pass at 196.53 to lead the field. Ellis was quickest in both of the qualifying sessions. Ellis is racing to secure his first No. 1 of the season and first since 2015.

“It’s a great bike with a great tune up and I was just able to ride it well,” Ellis said. “That was only my second lap ever on that motorcycle. It’s brand new. The bike is working good. I’m glad I’m able to do this. I’m just privileged to be able to ride and fortunately, so far, we’ve done pretty good so far.”

Ellis’s Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammates Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec are qualified second and third, subsequently. Krawiec needs only to qualify for the event to clinch his fourth NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship.

Qualifying at the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals continues Saturday at 11:50 a.m. Catch the action live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) at 6 p.m.

***

POMONA, Calif. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, final of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Brittany Force, 3.667 seconds, 330.31 mph; 2. Clay Millican, 3.671, 328.22; 3. Antron Brown, 3.696, 326.00; 4. Leah Pritchett, 3.712, 326.32; 5. Steve Torrence, 3.719, 289.26; 6. Richie Crampton, 3.748, 316.23; 7. Doug Kalitta, 3.755, 326.71; 8. Wayne Newby, 3.785, 324.59; 9. Troy Buff, 3.785, 320.43; 10. Terry Haddock, 3.874, 307.51; 11. Blake Alexander, 3.941, 297.61; 12. Steve Faria, 4.096, 232.71; 13. Shawn Reed, 4.337, 193.38; 14. Scott Palmer, 4.357, 183.00; 15. Mike Salinas, 4.508, 260.91; 16. Tony Schumacher, 5.987, 117.35. Not Qualified: 17. Terry McMillen, 6.862, 100.55; 18. Shawn Langdon, 7.333, 89.35.

Funny Car -- 1. Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.835, 334.98; 2. Courtney Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.871, 334.57; 3. Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.887, 314.31; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Toyota Camry, 3.894, 331.94; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 3.913, 327.74; 6. John Force, Camaro, 3.955, 316.60; 7. Ron Capps, Charger, 3.956, 322.19; 8. Gary Densham, Mustang, 3.968, 319.07; 9. Jeff Diehl, Toyota Solara, 4.107, 296.31; 10. Jeff Arend, Chevy Monte Carlo, 4.140, 252.90; 11. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.358, 204.17; 12. Bob Bode, Charger, 5.692, 125.80; 13. Jonnie Lindberg, Camry, 7.119, 87.17; 14. Matt Hagan, Charger, 7.606, 91.30; 15. Cruz Pedregon, Camry, 7.748, 87.01; 16. Jim Campbell, Charger, 7.779, 84.77. Not Qualified: 17. Robert Hight, 7.801, 85.35; 18. J.R. Todd, 8.319, 82.60.

Pro Stock -- 1. Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.541, 210.67; 2. Drew Skillman, Camaro, 6.555, 211.69; 3. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.558, 210.47; 4. Tanner Gray, Camaro, 6.564, 210.64; 5. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.565, 209.85; 6. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.565, 209.65; 7. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.566, 210.28; 8. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.571, 211.36; 9. Brian Self, Camaro, 6.574, 210.57; 10. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 6.586, 210.24; 11. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.595, 210.64; 12. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.595, 209.95; 13. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.599, 210.67; 14. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.615, 209.88; 15. Deric Kramer, Dart, 6.642, 208.26; 16. Alan Prusiensky, Dart, 6.665, 207.34. Not Qualified: 17. Shane Tucker, 6.714, 205.91; 18. Val Smeland, 6.766, 202.94; 19. Joey Grose, 6.944, 195.53; 20. Steve Graham, 19.954, 42.94.

Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Chip Ellis, Harley-Davidson, 6.805, 196.53; 2. Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.817, 197.45; 3. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.836, 197.77; 4. LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.861, 195.96; 5. Scotty Pollacheck, Suzuki, 6.862, 193.38; 6. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.878, 193.96; 7. Joey Gladstone, Suzuki, 6.905, 193.68; 8. Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.925, 192.63; 9. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.927, 193.60; 10. Karen Stoffer, Suzuki, 6.932, 191.89; 11. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, 6.953, 194.94; 12. Katie Sullivan, Suzuki, 6.967, 191.02; 13. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.970, 195.73; 14. Freddie Camarena, Suzuki, 6.985, 194.30; 15. Lance Bonham, Buell, 7.152, 187.94; 16. Luke Crowley, Suzuki, 7.294, 188.94. Not Qualified: 17. Ryan Oehler, 8.168, 113.09.

ARTICLE LINK

DSR: Beckman looks for first Funny Car career win at Pomona as Infinite Hero Dodge looks for strong finish in NHRA Mello Yello finale to finish season third in points

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Nov. 7, 2017) - This weekend, Funny Car driver Jack Beckman will make the short trip from his home in Norco, Calif. to Pomona for the NHRA season-finale.

Although Beckman lives within an hour of Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, he has yet to claim a victory from the famous racetrack.

"I've won Pomona twice, both times in Super Comp and both times it was the Winternationals," said Beckman, the 2003 NHRA Super Comp world champion.

"The NHRA Finals is a completely different race from the Winternationals in February to start the season. I understand it's the same racetrack, but both races are equally awesome for completely different reasons.

"The Finals is great because when you win it, you have two months that you and your team know that you ended the season on a perfect note," said the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world champ. "If we win the race, we can finish third in points. I think that would be phenomenal for a first-year team."

When Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team entered the NHRA Finals last season, the team roster was made up of a vastly different crew.

"If you look at the car coming into the Finals last year, John Medlen and Jack Beckman are the only two people that are on the roster this year so to integrate nine other people -  and we've had two crew member changes in midseason - and to do it as well as we have makes me incredibly proud."

Medlen and fellow crew chiefs Dean Antonelli and Neal Strausbaugh have tuned the Infinite Hero Dodge to two wins this season. They are currently fourth in the NHRA points standings and in a tight battle for third among Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan and Courtney Force of John Force Racing.

Beckman is 152 points behind the point leader Robert Hight of JFR and 167 behind Ron Capps, another DSR teammate.

The NHRA points system has been adjusted for the final event of the season as the point value has increased by 150 percent. A team can earn a grand total of 191 points rather than 130 as is the case for the other 23 events during the NHRA season.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry and Doug Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
                    Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd    Poles   DNQ          W/L
2017          4th               23              2           2             7         9             3           1         0        36-21
CAREER                     275            26        27            52       82           81         22         7    368-242    

Career best time, speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 335.57 mph (Las Vegas 2 2017)
BY THE NUMBERS
Last event, Oct. 29, Las Vegas: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Matt Hagan
A year ago at Pomona 2: Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to John Force
In February at Pomona 1: Qualified No. 8, lost in second round to Matt Hagan
Career at Pomona 2: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2008, 2010), Poles 2 (2012, 2015)
Career at Pomona: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2008, 2010), Poles 3 (2012, 2015, 2016)

FUNNY CAR                                                                                                                  
     1. Robert Hight (4)                    2548     ----
     2. RON CAPPS (8)                    2533     -15
     3. Courtney Force                     2423     -125
     4. JACK BECKMAN (2)            2396     -152
     5. MATT HAGAN (4)                 2387     -161
  x-6. John Force (1)                       2306     -242
  x-7. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   2276     -272
  x-8. Tim Wilkerson                        2237     -311
  x-9. J.R. Todd (2)                          2233     -315
x-10. Cruz Pedregon                       2163     -345                             
x=eliminated from championship contention


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 317 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.

Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.