NHRA releases 24-race Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule for 2018 season

NHRA officials have announced the 24-race 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, which will again feature intense racing action at tracks across the country.

NHRA announced its 24-race 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, featuring intense racing action at tracks across the country.  Millions of fans will witness sensory-overloading side-by-side racing action where winners and losers can be separated by mere inches at speeds exceeding 330 mph.

All 24 events during the busy season will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports and for selected events on the FOX broadcast network, with live and near-live coverage of most of the events.  Over 575 hours of programming will feature action from Friday and Saturday qualifying rounds and Sunday finals.

The lineup for the four-race back-to-back stretch that starts the slate of busy racing action in the summer months will change in 2018. The Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway moves earlier to May 31- June 3. The NHRA New England Nationals at scenic New England Dragway outside of Boston moves later to July 6-8.

The 2018 season will begin at the venerable Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California with the NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 8-11, and closes at the renowned dragstrip with the final race of the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs, the Auto Club NHRA Finals, Nov. 8-11.

Following the season-opener, the series returns to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Feb. 23-25.

After the Phoenix race, NHRA teams will traverse the country to the traditional East Coast opener at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway for the fan-favorite Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 15-18.

Teams will then travel back to the West Coast for the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas, April 6-8.

An early season three-race swing featuring events in the southern states will follow: the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway near Houston (April 20-22); the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. (April 27-29); and the NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia (May 4-6).

Heartland Park Topeka, which has featured record-breaking racing and is one of the fastest tracks on the tour, will host the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, May 18-20.

Following the Route 66 NHRA Nationals (May 31 – June 3) the teams will move east for the NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., June 7-10. The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 15-17 returns to Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway on Father’s Day weekend and the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will be hosted June 21-24 at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The tour will power to New England Dragway (July 6-8) before traversing the country to start a three-race stretch on the west coast.

The historic NHRA Western Swing kicks off with the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at scenic Bandimere Speedway in Denver, July 20-22. The teams will then head to Northern California for the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals (July 27-29) at Sonoma Raceway, then finish the Western Swing near Seattle at Pacific Raceways with the NHRA Northwest Nationals, Aug. 3-5.

NHRA Mello Yello Series teams will then head to Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway, for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 16-19, meeting some of the most dedicated fans in the country.

Final positions for the sport’s playoffs, the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, will be secured at the world’s most prestigious drag race, the 64th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-Sept. 3, the last race of the regular season.

The six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship gets underway in mid-September with three consecutive weeks of racing: the NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C. (Sept. 14-16); the Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. (Sept. 20-23); and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis (Sept. 28-30).

The playoffs then head west at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas (Oct. 11-14); the NHRA Toyota Nationals in Las Vegas (Oct. 25-28); and the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, where world champions will be crowned in Southern California Nov. 8-11.

NHRA ARTICLE LINK

DSR: Beckman looks for first win at Englishtown, first of Mello Yello season for Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team

 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 6, 2017) - After an early exit at last weekend's NHRA New England Nationals, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team are ready to get back on the racetrack for some redemption.

They won't have to wait long as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series travels this weekend to Englishtown, N.J., for the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals.

"We had a poor showing in Epping and we only have five days to ruminate in it and we're right back out there, more motivated than ever for Englishtown," Beckman said.

The restructured Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T team with new crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh continue to improve but are still looking for their first NHRA event title this year. They are ranked sixth in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series points but only 27 outside of third place.

"I truly want our first win as a team this weekend and first at Englishtown, especially after being close and getting runner-up last year," said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion.

Last year, Beckman advanced to the final round but came up short to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

"I don't think there's any way I can be more motivated, and I know John, Dean and Neal can't be more motivated.

"We made wholesale changes to our car right up until the warm-up for first round on Sunday. I was proud of the guys and how brave they were. I think we learned some stuff from it and when we warm that car up on Friday of Englishtown, it's with the mindset that we're there to win."

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              5th               9             0           1             2          4            2              0            0            10-9
CAREER                       261           24         26           47        77          80            21            7      342-230         

Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 2-4, Epping, NH): Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Del Worsham
A year ago at Englishtown: Qualified No. 10, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
Career at Englishtown: Wins 0, Runner-ups 2 (2013, 2016), Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNNY CAR STANDINGS           
(Official after Epping; 9th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
6. JACK BECKMAN    537      -290

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 307 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

DSR: Frustrating New England Nationals gives Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero team motivation for next three events of Eastern Swing

 

EPPING N.H. (June 4, 2017) - After a tough weekend in New Hampshire, Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team is ready to move on from the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals and onto the next race in Englishtown, N.J.

"It's frustrating," said Beckman who lost in the first round to Del Worsham.

The Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T entered race day as the No. 5 qualified team with a time of 3.878 seconds at 330.23 mph that was their only full pass of the weekend.

On Sunday, Beckman went into tire smoke and Worsham got the win as Beckman coasted to a 4.761 (169.04).

"We lost in the final at Charlotte at the Four-Wide but we did a great job making adjustments to get to that point. We left there with our heads held high even though we didn't win the race.

"Here, it's a little different story. We unloaded with a nice run and got qualifying bonus points and then never made it to the finish line under power after that. It's very uncharacteristic of us and there's no smoking gun. There's not one thing that caused our issues. That's what's frustrating to us, is we were chasing so many little gremlins.

The New England Nationals was the start of a four-race, four-week Eastern Swing. Next weekend the NHRA circuit travels to Old Bridge Township Raceway for the NHRA Summernationals.

"Aside from the Countdown (playoff at the end of the season), there couldn't be a worse time of year for us to be in this position because you're doing multiple races, back to back to back to back and you don't want to let events keep passing you by before you get a handle on your racecar. I'm frustrated and I'm optimistic.

"We will fix this car, we just have to get a handle on it early at Englishtown. You've got to have a car on Saturday that you can race with on Sunday. We were scrambling all the way up to the warmup today to try to figure out what we can do to give us a better chance."

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                    
Event winner: Matt Hagan (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (John Force Racing), 3.822 seconds, 336.74 mph (track records)

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Del Worsham (4.060 sec., 321.04 mph) def. BECKMAN (4.761, 169.04)
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.532, 58.27, (Session 3); 10.934, 62.13, (Session 4)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNNY CAR STANDINGS
(Unofficial after Epping; 9 of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
6. JACK BECKMAN                    537     -290

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 307 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

DSR: Jack Beckman, Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge qualifying No. 5 at New England Nationals to start four-race Eastern Swing

 

EPPING N.H. (June 3, 2017) - Despite only one complete pass down the race track, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, driven by Jack Beckman, kicks off a four-race swing with a No. 5 qualifying position at this weekend's fifth annual New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

"It wasn't quite our M.O. in qualifying," Beckman said. "We unloaded with a solid run and got some qualifying points and then struggled the next three runs. It's not that we were testing anything in particular on those runs and that raises a little bit of a question in our heads going into race day."

The Infinite Hero team, opened qualifying on Friday with a pass of 3.878 seconds at 330.23 mph. Unfortunately, none of its three other qualifying efforts resulted in a run over 100 mph.

Their time from Friday seeds the team, led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh and John Medlen in the No. 5 spot. Beckman will line up against former Funny Car and Top Fuel world champion Del Worsham on Sunday.

"We'll still have lane choice and I still think we have a car that can win tomorrow. It's a matter of Dean, Neal and John dipping into the data and making an educated decision on why we're spinning the tires and then making the right adjustments to the car tomorrow. I think we just have to show up tomorrow with a lot of optimism and power forward."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Del Worsham
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.532, 58.27, (Session 3); 10.934, 62.13, (Session 4)



About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 306 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Pritchett No. 2, Beckman No. 3 to lead DSR in New England Nationals; Funny Car leader Capps mired in 12th, looks for 5th straight title

EPPING, N.H. (June 2, 2017) - Ron Capps and the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge Charger R/T has a steep hill to climb if it is to sweep the No. 1 qualifying spot and win the New England Nationals title like he did a year ago.

Capps, the reigning Funny Car world champion, also has won the last four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series titles but was unable to complete a qualifying run in Friday's two sessions at New England Dragway at Epping, N.H.

Capps arrived at Epping with a 119-point lead over DSR teammate Matt Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane Dodge and Hagan also didn't cross the finish line under power on either of his attempts.

The Funny Car leader for DSR is Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation is No. 3  with a 3.878-second run at 330.23 mph.

The New England Nationals was contested under beautifully sunny skies until a brief shower around 8 p.m. (EDT) delayed the last three pairs of Top Fuel dragsters from running. Included in the group was Don Schumacher Racing's Dodge Demon/Pennzoil dragster driven by points leader Leah Pritchett.

Pritchett, who has won three of eight event titles this year, was quickest after the first session with a time of 3.747 seconds at 324.59 mph, but that track record time was short-lived when it was shattered in the evening session by Brittany Force's 3.868 (331.360). Pritchett dropped to No. 5 before moving up to the second spot with a 3.696 (328.78) on her last run.

Three-time and reigning Top Fuel world champ Antron Brown and the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster might have been the best car in the last session. He completed the run in 3.744 seconds, good for No. 5, but slowed to 309.98 after both parachutes deployed near halftrack.

"The car was on a run in the ballpark of 3.67 seconds, but we had a little glitch that threw the parachutes out, said Brown, who won the pole and title a year ago at New England. "Tomorrow is going to be a new day. The cool part about tonight, is that we got to see how good the car ran. It's a new car, and it's working great. That was a great run and we're looking forward to two runs to get after it."

DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS                                                                                             
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing), 3.686 sec.-track record, 331.36 mph

LEAH PRITCHETT, Dodge Demon/Pennzoil/Mopar Top Fuel dragster                        
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.747 sec., 324.59 mph, (Session 1); 3.696, 328.92, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 2, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate and event winner Antron Brown
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 10 (with Lagana Racing), lost to Tony Schumacher in second round
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                           
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 6.995 sec., 96.30 mph, (Session 1); 3.744, 309.98, (Session 2)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 3, won in championship round over Steve Torrence
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over Steve Torrence
Career at Epping: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 2 (2014, 2016)

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                          
QAUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 11
FRIDAY: 4.956 sec., 142.70 mph, (Session 1); 7.434, 83.93, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 1, lost in second round to Clay Millican
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate and event winner Antron Brown
Career at Epping: Wins 2 (2014-15); Runner-ups 0; Poles 1 (2015)

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                            
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 3.842 sec.-track record, 331.53 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T 
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 3
FRIDAY: 3.878 sec., 330.23 mph, (Session 1); 7.204, 94.24, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 4, lost in semifinals to DSR teammate Matt Hagan
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 6, lost to DSR teammate Tommy Schumacher in second round
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 6
FRIDAY: 3.922 sec., 325.77 mph, (Session 1); 9.059, 77.43, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Del Worsham
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to DSR teammate Ron Capps
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 2 (2015, 2016); Poles 1 (2015)

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                               
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 12
FRIDAY: 4.323 sec., 198.70 mph, (Session 1); 8.701, 79.24, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 7, won in championship round over DSR teammate Matt Hagan
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 1, won in championship round over DSR teammate Tommy Johnson Jr.
Career at Epping: Wins 2 (2014, 2016); Runner-ups 0; Poles 1 (2016)

 MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                              
QUALIFYING RESULTS FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.789 sec., 162.78 mph, (Session 1); 11.371, 57.45, (Session 2)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec. (world record, (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph (world record, 2017, Topeka)
Last event (May 19-21, Topeka): Qualified No. 1, lost in championship round to DSR teammate Ron Capps
A year ago at Epping: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Del Worsham
Career at Epping: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

 
ABOUT DON SCHUMACHER RACING
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered near Indianapolis in Brownsburg, Ind., fields seven professional teams in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher, the three-time and reigning world champion Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown and Leah Pritchett in the Dodge Demon/Pennzoil dragster.

In 2017 Dodge Chargers R/T Funny Cars, two-time world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge driven by 2016 world champion Ron Capps, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 304 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

DSR: Chandler's Infinite Hero team still hunting for season's first win, Beckman looks for nostalgic visit to New England Nationals

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 30, 2017) - Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Funny Car team travel to Epping, N.H., for this weekend's fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals.

"It's the newest race on tour, at one of the oldest facilities on tour," Beckman said of New England Dragway.

"I'm a historian and there's so much Funny Car history in that area. The fans are unbelievably grateful for us coming to their town to race. It's kind of a 'pinch me' moment. It's like a throwback to bring in the contemporary NHRA show into a facility that looks like it could have come out of a time machine from the mid-70s."

In 2016 at the New England Nationals, Beckman entered race day as the No. 6 qualifier with a time of 3.895 seconds at 329.99 mph. He advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr.

The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series heads to New England Dragway for the ninth event of the season and the first of a four-race swing in June called the "Eastern Swing."

"The schedule is what it is. We don't have any say in it and I'm comfortable with however they want to do it. I would say I'm maybe more anxious than some to get back out there.

"I would say that the drivers who haven't won their first win of the year are chomping at the bit for the four in a row because it will maximize our chances of getting that first trophy."

And it's a trophy that the Infinite Hero Foundation team is hunting.

The team, led by crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh, Dean Antonelli and John Medlen, has advanced to two semifinals rounds and one final round but has yet to earn their first win of the season.

JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - former world champ seeks first in '17   

Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)


About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 306 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988




ORIGINAL ARTICLE

DSR: Infinite Hero Dodge advances to semifinals at Heartland Nationals

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 21, 2017) - The Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T team, sponsored by Terry Chandler and piloted by Jack Beckman, advanced to the semifinals Sunday at the 29th annual NHRA Heartland Nationals.

"I think the guys did a phenomenal job of running strong when the conditions were great, and then when the racetrack warmed up on Sunday, we still were able to lay down some impressive numbers," said Beckman who qualified fourth with a time of 3.844 seconds at 331.77 mph.

In the opening round of competition, Beckman lined up against Chad Head of Kalitta Motorsports. Both cars went into tire smoke but Beckman got the win with a coasting 4.218 (217.70) after he left earlier than Head at the starting line.

Beckman then faced former NHRA Funny Car world champion Del Worsham, and lap of 3.883 (328.54) earned lane choice over Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan in the semifinals.

During qualifying on Saturday, Hagan and the Mopar Express Lane team earned the world records of 3.802 and 338.85, which is the fastest run ever in NHRA including dragsters.

In the semifinals, Beckman went into tire smoke and slowed to a 4.434 (195.65) as Hagan drove to a 3.918.

"It was frustrating to smoke the tires in the semis," Beckman said. "We knew we had to push hard because we were racing the world's quickest and fastest car.

"After the Vegas race (in April) we stayed and tested there and that has helped us quite a bit, just getting runs down the track and getting used to our combination. In Atlanta, we got bit by weather and missed a couple of qualifying sessions. Here we got bit by bad weather and missed one qualifying run.

"But I think if you look at the strides that we've made since Vegas, this is a team that's becoming one of the top two or three and we keep chipping away at the points. We'll be there pretty soon. Our short-term goal is we need to win a race and get in the Traxxas Shootout."

They'll get another shot at a win in two weeks when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series travels to Epping N.H. for the New England Nationals.

"I think it's a chance for guys to look at data back at the shop and figure out what went right and what we can do better on the things that didn't go right.

"For me, I really would like to get right back in the race car. If they're going to let us stay, we'll stay and test here tomorrow. We don't know if that's an option or not. Again, to get where we need to get, we need runs to the finish line. And whether we do that in qualifying and going deep on Sundays or if we can stay and get a head start with testing, we're going to do whatever it takes to get the Infinite Hero car into the winner's circle."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero  Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: John Medlen, Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 4
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.218 sec., 217.70 mph) def. Chad Head (4.172, 247.97)
Second round: BECKMAN (3.883, 328.54) def. Del Worsham (4.012, 324.36)
Semifinals: Matt Hagan (3.918, 330.55) def. BACKMAN (4.434, 195.65)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.899 sec., 324.59 mph, (Session 1); rained out, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 8.595, 74.38, (Session 3); 3.844, 331.77, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (2016 Seattle)
Career at Topeka: Wins 1 (2012); Runner-ups 1 (2016); Poles (2011)

Funny Car                                                                                                      
  1. RON CAPPS (4)                       748      -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (2)                    629      -119
  3. John Force (1)                          524      -224
  4. Robert Hight                             518      -230
  5. JACK BECKMAN                   502      -246
  6. Courtney Force                        464       -284
  7. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   461      -287
  8. J.R. Todd                                   378       -370
  9. Tim Wilkerson                          360       -388
10. Jonnie Lindberg                       318       -430



About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 306 NHRA national event titles and 16 world championships.
Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf (wolfj@shoeracing.com), 702.524.1368
Leah Vaughn (vaughnl@shoeracing.com), 618.516.1988

DSR: Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge with Beckman makes best qualifying effort of the season to earn No. 4 in Heartland Nationals at Topeka

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20, 2017) - Jack Beckman drove Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to the No. 4 qualifying position for this weekend's 29th annual NHRA Heartland Nationals and his best starting spot for Sunday's championship eliminations. 

"I'm really, really excited," said Beckman who was runner-up at the event last year.

"This car keeps showing us light at the end of the tunnel and then it moves the tunnel a little farther away from us. We're still not quite speaking its language but we still have a car that can win on race day."

Rain on Friday night forced NHRA to cancel the second qualifying session but not before Beckman clocked a lap of 3.899 seconds at 324.59 mph during the first session.

Teams returned on Saturday to a dry track. During the final qualifying session, Beckman ran a 3.844 (331.77) to move up to No. 4. The Infinite Hero Foundation team, led by crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh, Dean Antonelli and John Medlen, will face Chad Head of Kalitta Motorsports in the opening round.

"To go back there in what has been far and above the best conditions of the year and to be able to throw down some big numbers with the hitter cars out there, we know what our capabilities are right now.

"Tomorrow probably won't have the fairy tale conditions of today. That being said, it's still going to be what would have been national record times prior to this weekend. Topeka is a difficult track - not because of the racetrack - it may be the smoothest on tour but because the weather seems to change every 10 minutes.

"It's a crew chief's nightmare and a driver's dream and hopefully we're all smiling at the end of the day."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 4
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Chad Head
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 3.899 sec., 324.59 mph, (Session 1); rained out, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 8.595, 74.38, (Session 3); 3.844, 331.77, (Session 4)


About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 304 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

DSR: Beckman intends to repeat previous success at Topeka track this weekend where win in 2012 led to NHRA world title

 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (May 16, 2017) - Jack Beckman arrived at Heartland Park Topeka, Kan., without having posted a win that year.

But he left the NHRA Mello Yello Series event at the track north of Kansas City with the event title and went on to win the professional NHRA Funny Car championship that year.

"Topeka has been very pivotal for me," Beckman said. "In 2012, it was the first race I won (that year) and it put us on the path to eventually win the championship," said Beckman, who had won the Super Comp world title in 2003 as an amateur.

History may be able to repeat itself this weekend at the 29th annual NHRA Heartland Nationals as Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Funny Car team has yet to win an event this season.

"This year our results haven't quite met our expectations," he said. "I do think we've been doing all the things I think we need to do. In other words, we've been making changes to the car, we've been listening to the car and we've been making it a more consistent car. We're still dealing with new parts in the bellhousing.

"We got good data on it in Atlanta two weeks ago and made it to the second round. We're still not where we need to be but we're getting a lot closer.

The Infinite Hero Foundation team, led by crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh, Dean Antonelli and John Medlen, travel this weekend to Topeka with the NHRA circuit for the eighth event of the 2017 Mello Yello season. Beckman, who advanced to the final round a year ago at Topeka, ranks sixth in championship points.

"Weather is a factor in Topeka and that's what makes winning there so special," said Beckman who was runner-up last year to his Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan.

"It's a very tough track to tame because the weather changes continually there. We don't know what it has in store for us this weekend."

JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - former world champ seeks first in '17

Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec.-second quickest ever, (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (May 5-7, Atlanta): Qualified No. 14, lost in quarterfinals to Tim Wilkerson
A year ago at Topeka: Qualified No. 2, lost in championship round to DSR teammate Matt Hagan
Career at Topeka: Wins 1 (2012); Runner-ups 1 (2016); Poles (2011)

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 304 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

DSR: Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge continues to gather information on race day at Southern Nationals

 

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 7, 2017) - Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car continue to hunt for consistency after a second-round loss Sunday in the NHRA Southern Nationals near Atlanta.

"Well, it's frustrating," Beckman said of the loss to eventual finalist Tim Wilkerson. "Our short-term goal is to hold a trophy up at the end of race day."

The Infinite Hero team will have to wait at least two weeks for that to happen after the NHRA Mello Yello Series takes next weekend off the series resumes May 19-21 in Topeka, Kan., for the eighth of 24 stops on the tour.

"It was tough in qualifying, where we only had two runs and never made it past 200 feet to come back first round and not only run well but take out our teammate Tommy Johnson and the Make-A-Wish car. I thought we were on the right track."

Due to rain on Friday, qualifying was cancelled and left teams only two passes down the track at Atlanta Dragway.

The Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T didn't make a full pull down the track and entered race day as the No. 14 qualifier, Beckman's worst in more than a year.

In round one, Johnson went immediately into tire smoke and Beckman wheeled his hot rod to a 3.958-second pass at 312.93 mph.

The team moved onto round two where Beckman lined up against Wilkerson. Beckman got off the starting line first but went into tire smoke while Wilkerson ran a 3.991 (313.22).

"We went out there and didn't have lane choice second round. It was a little warmer track and it that was a bummer. It's really hard to get the car over that bump without slowing so much you're not going to outrun the other car. We were playing a little bit of Russian Roulette and it just caught up with us that run.

"So, we'll probably stay here and test tomorrow. We'll take a week off and the guys will have some time to look at the data. We'll get everything fresh and serviced. We'll go to Topeka with some great attitudes and a great outlook."

RESULTS FROM NEAR HOUSTON

FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 3.893 sec.-track record, 322.65 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero 2017 Dodge Charger R/T
Crew chiefs: John Medlen, Dean Antonelli, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 14
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (3.958 sec., 312.93) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.928, 159.61)
Second round: Tim Wilkerson (3.991, 313.22) def. BECKMAN (4.665, 184.02)
QUALIFYING
FRIDAY: rained out                                                                                                          
SATURDAY: 5.584 sec., 124.27 mph, (Session 3);v 5.738, 120.08, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec.-second quickest ever, (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (April 28-30, Charlotte Four-Wide): Qualified No. 10, runner-up to event winner and DSR teammate Ron Capps
Career at Atlanta: Wins 2 (2011, 2009); Runner-ups 1 (2016); Poles 1 (2016)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                     
(Official after Atlanta; 7th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (3)                     633     -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (2)                539       -94
  3. John Force (1)                       490     -143
  4. Robert Hight                          437    -196
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)    427     -206
  6. JACK BECKMAN                 426     -207
  7. Courtney Force                     405      -228
  8. Tim Wilkerson                       329      -304
  9. J.R. Todd                             326       -307
 10. Jonnie Lindberg                     318      -315

About Infinite Hero Foundation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Infinite Hero Foundation combats the most difficult front line issues - mental and physical - facing returning military heroes and their families.  The Foundation funds programs that drive innovation and the accessibility of effective treatments for military heroes and their families dealing with service-related mental and physical injuries.  For more information, visit: www.infinitehero.org.

About Don Schumacher Racing
Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., fields eight professional NHRA teams. In Top Fuel, the U.S. Army dragster driven by eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, the Matco Tools dragster driven by three-time world champion Antron Brown; the Papa John's Top Fuel dragster driven by Leah Pritchett and in Funny Car, 2011 and 2014 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Express Lane 2015 Dodge Charger R/T, 2012 NHRA world champion Jack Beckman in the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge, the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 303 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