DSR: Chandler would be proud of her teams' performances at Route 66, as Beckman just misses No. 1; Schumacher second in Top Fuel

JOLIET, Ill. (July 7, 2017) - It nearly was a storybook start to an emotional weekend for Don Schumacher Racing on Friday night during the 20th annual Route 66 Nationals near Chicago.

Jack Beckman and Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T came within five-thousandths of a second of earning the provisional pole for the team funded by the late Terry Chandler, who died from brain cancer on the Fourth of July after a valiant battle. She was 65.

Beckman with crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh produced a time of 3.856 seconds with what was at the moment a track record. But in the next pair of cars, Robert Hight of John Force Racing was a little quicker with a 3.851 at 334.73, also a track record.

"That one was for Terry," Beckman proclaimed. "Everyone on her team here is elated with our effort today and it was for Terry."

The Dodge Powered by Pennzoil was fourth quickest in the first session in the early evening and then were second best on the night run.

"You'd love to be the quickest of the night and have a chance to flex your muscles under the great conditions. We're extremely happy with the way our Dodge ran. We're OK with someone only beating us by a few thousands. We did everything we needed to do."

Beckman and the Infinite Hero squad won the last race two weeks ago for its second in three events and made the final round in the other. He said Don Schumacher Racing planned to retire the car after closing June at Norwalk, Ohio, and that decision was solidified when the engine blew up into a fireball as it crossed the finish line for the 26th title in the 2012 Funny Car world champion's career.

Although Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge came up a whisker short heading to Saturday's last two qualifying sessions, Chandler's great-nephew Tanner Gray holds the professional pole in Pro Stock for the team owned by Chandler's brother, Johnny Gray.

Tommy Johnson Jr., Beckman's teammate and driver of Chandler's Make-A-Wish Dodge, turned in an inspiring effort in the second session when crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds moved from 13th to sixth with a run of 3.913 (326.00)

DSR's Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane) is ranked fourth and reigning world champion Ron Capps and the NAPA Intrepid Fallen Heroes Dodge is eighth.

In Top Fuel, Chicago native Tony Schumacher returned to his home track with the U.S. Army dragster led by crew chief Mike Green and assistant Phil Shuler and nearly improved its record five poles at the track in Joliet, Ill., with a time of 3.758 (325.37) but is ranked second going into the last two sessions.

"It was nice to come see family and friends and be at an incredible racetrack," said Schumacher. "The atmosphere here is great and that's a testament to (track president) Scott Paddock and his staff. It's a big weekend here in Chicago for the U.S. Army team. We've been working really hard and made a couple of good runs today."

Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster team were quickest in the first session but fell to fourth at the end of the night. Three-time world champion Antron Brown is No. 4.

Pritchett also will be competing Saturday in the third round of the Charity Challenge when she races her supercharged Gen III HEMI in a 2017 Dodge Challenger configured for drag racingagainst "Papa" John Schnatter's coveted 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 that he bought for $1,600 at 15 years old and sold to keep his dad out of bankruptcy and then started the very first Papa John's pizzeria. In 2009, he was reunited with his cherished Camaro and modified it for racing.

Schnatter and DSR owner Don Schumacher each contribute $10,000 to the Infinite Hero Foundation during each round of which Pritchett has won both times. Side bets have been wagered at the first two Challenges between the "driver" and the "pizza maker" like the loser waxing the other's racecar.

DSR TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS                                                                                                            
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Brittany Force (John Force Racing) 3.711 sec., 323.04 mph

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                                      
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 2
FRIDAY: 3.827 sec., 314.24 mph, (Session 1); 3.758, 325.37, (Session 2)
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)

LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster                                            
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.763 sec., 326.48 mph, (Session 1); 8.668, 82.92, (Session 2)
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

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                            
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 5
FRIDAY: 3.766 sec., 328.54 mph, (Session 1); 6.008, 112.76, (Session 2)
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 2 (2009, 2002*);
Poles 2 (2009, 2015) *Pro Stock Motorcycle

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                                
Provisional No. 1 qualifier: Robert Hight (3.851 sec., 323.73 mph)

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: 3.966 sec., 324.36 mph, (Session 1); 3.856, 330.23, (Session 2)
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

MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                                          
Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.946 sec., 326.40 mph, (Session 1); 3.895, 332.10, (Session 2)
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)

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: 4.274 sec., 216.69 mph, (Session 1); 3.913, 326.00, (Session 2)
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 2 (2014, 2003); Poles 2 (2014, 2006)

RON CAPPS, NAPA INTREPID FALLEN HEROES FUND 2017 Dodge Charger R/T              
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Provisional qualifying position: No. 8
FRIDAY: 3.984 sec., 321.27 mph, (Session 1); 3.942, 292.08, (Session 2)
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 1 (2005); Runner-ups 2 (2016, 2007, 2002); Poles 1 (2013)

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, 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 309 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: Johnson, Beckman will race on with Make-A-Wish, Infinite Hero this weekend in Route 66 Nationals to honor memory of Terry Chandler

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 5, 2017) - Don Schumacher Racing and especially its Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car teams prepare for this weekend's NHRA Route 66 Nationals near Chicago with heavy hearts.

On Tuesday afternoon, they lost their spiritual leader.

Terry Chandler, a native of New Mexico, lost her valiant fight with brain cancer on Tuesday afternoon. She was 65 when she died in Florida with family and loved ones at her side.

She missed the NHRA Mello Yello Series event at Las Vegas in early April and a few days later underwent major surgery to partially remove one of three tumors in the front lobe of her brain. It was determined by an MRI that she was suffering from Glioblastoma cancer.

She was immersed in the fight of her life and battled valiantly to the end.

Terry Chandler's commitment to helping others has left an indelible mark on the National Hot Rod Association and DSR, and her memorable presence at racetracks with her Make-A-Wish families and the Infinite Hero Foundation benefactors will continue to live on in the hearts of thousands.

"Terry is a great human being who devoted the past few years to helping the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero foundations with her love and kindness by funding two of our Funny Car teams," said Don Schumacher, DSR owner and close friend.

"I've been reading so many (social media) posts about Terry and how special she was that it makes my heart smile," said Tommy Johnson Jr., driver of the Make-A-Wish Dodge Charger R/T for DSR since its inception in 2014

"Although we only knew her a few years, it felt like it was forever and she made us feel like her family. 'Aunt' Terry always called our team 'her boys' and told all of the Make-A-Wish kids that it was 'their' racecar on the track, not hers. She loved seeing the faces of those kids light up and made such a difference in so many lives. RIP Sweet Aunt Terry."

She began attending NHRA national events when her brother, Johnny Gray, drove a Funny Car for DSR. In 2013, Terry and Johnny decided to fund the car he drove as a tribute to their late father, John R. Gray, a self-made man who rose to legendary status in the New Mexico and north Texas oil industry.

Upon Johnny's retirement from driving at the end of that season, Terry began funding the team and put Johnson in the seat. Terry and her husband, Doug, own and operate Chandler Aviation at the Cavern City Air Terminal in Carlsbad, N.M. Instead of flying the colors of Chandler Aviation on Johnson's Dodge Charger, she chose to use the racecar as a platform to promote awareness for a great cause. The car was painted and the transporters were wrapped with a striking Make-A-Wish design.

She wanted her racecar to be a "giving car."

Chandler and DSR host "Wish Kids" and their families in a VIP hospitality pavilion next to the race team's pit area on Saturdays at each of the 24 Mello Yello events held in 21 markets across the country. The Make-A-Wish crew has the opportunity to engage with the children, giving them a tour of the pit area and racecar.

Toward the end of the 2014 season, another DSR team appeared close to be dissolving when the woman with the infectious smile stepped in to fund the one driven by Jack Beckman and donated its branding to the Infinite Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization that combats the most difficult front line issues by providing grants to help the physical and psychological challenges faced by returning military veterans.

More than $300,000 has been raised by the sale of "challenge coins" Beckman carries on each run and exchanges for a $100 donation to Infinite Hero. Nearly $500,000 has been raised for the organization through Terry's efforts.

"What she has done and is doing is unbelievable, unbelievable," Beckman has said numerous times. "If you want to look at this way, she's also keeping 20 people employed that otherwise might not have jobs.

"The more she learned about the Infinite Hero Foundation she'd say we can't do everything but let's do something. She's such a softie."

Johnson adds, "There's a lot to be said for paying it forward. She's allowing us to use our cars for a great cause."

Chandler would be proud of the way her two teams will arrive at Route 66 to start the second half of the 24-race season. They were among the strongest in NHRA Mello Yello competition during the rigorous month of June that featured four events in four weeks.

Beckman and the Infinite Hero team led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh return to Route 66 to defend the title they won a year ago. They'll arrive with momentum after winning two of the last three events in which they advanced to the final round each time. They won the last race at Norwalk, Ohio, 10 days ago and moved up to third in championship points.

Johnson, who won the Route 66 title in 2015, and the team led by crew chief John Collins and assistant Rip Reynolds have steadily improved and advanced to three semifinals in June to move up to fifth in the standings.

A private funeral service will be held with a public memorial tentatively set for over Labor Day Weekend near Indianapolis during the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - won 2 of last 3
                    Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd      Poles      DNQ             W/L
2017          3rd               12             2           2             2          4            2              0            0          21-10
CAREER                     264           26         27           47        77           80            21           7      353-231            
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
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

TOMMY JOHNSON JR., Terry Chandler's Make-A-Wish 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                        
                    Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd      Poles      DNQ      W/L
2017           5th           12              1           0             5         2            4              1           0           16-11
CAREER                    10            16*        24           58     100        168           15          44       352-350
                                                          * 14 FC/2 TF
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)

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 2 (2014, 2003); Poles 2 (2014, 2006)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                         
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. RON CAPPS (5)                 1,095    -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                  946   -149
  3. JACK BECKMAN (2)             855   -240
  4. Robert Hight                          809    -286
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   739   -356
  6. Courtney Force                      714    -381
  7. John Force (1)                       683    -412
  8. Tim Wilkerson                        525    -570 
  9. J.R. Todd                               508     -587
10. Cruz Pedregon                       431    -664

Terry Chandler's love, caring leaves lasting legacy after her brave, valiant battle against brain cancer

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (July 4, 2017) - Terry Chandler's commitment to helping others has left an indelible mark on the National Hot Rod Association and Don Schumacher Racing, and her memorable presence at racetracks and with her Make-A-Wish families and the Infinite Hero Foundation will continue to live on in the hearts of thousands.

Sadly, Terry lost her valiant fight with brain cancer on Tuesday afternoon. She was 65 when she died in Florida with family and loved ones at her side.

"Terry is a great human being who devoted the past few years to helping the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero foundations with her love and kindness by funding two of our Funny Car teams," said Don Schumacher, DSR owner and close friend.

"Terry is such a beautiful person. She was so much more than a friend and partner. She is family. We will always see that wonderful smile of hers at the starting line."

The native of New Mexico missed the NHRA Mello Yello Series event at Las Vegas in early April and a few days later underwent major surgery to partially remove one of three tumors in the front lobe of her brain. It was determined by an MRI that she was suffering from Glioblastoma cancer.

She was immersed in the fight of her life and battled valiantly to the end.

Chandler was presented with the NHRA Blaine Johnson Award in 2015 for her dedication to helping others.

"I love to race," she told Autoweek magazine in a 2015 article. "And bless my heart, I love to win. These gol-darned cars, I just love 'em."

Earlier that year, she was described as being "the most influential woman in drag racing" by the Inland Valley (Calif.) Newspapers.

"I never dreamed that I would be blessed in a way that would allow me to help others," she told the Southern California newspaper.

"Helping people is one of the most important things in the world to me - my daddy, John R. Gray, was an extremely giving man, and I learned from him how important it was to bless the lives of others. That is why this means so much to me. I feel very fortunate to be in this position."

Terry became a fixture at NHRA national events when her brother, Johnny Gray, drove a Funny Car for DSR. In 2013, Terry and Johnny decided to fund the car he drove as a tribute to their late father John R. Gray, a self-made man who rose to legendary status in the New Mexico and north Texas oil industry.

Upon Johnny's retirement from driving at the end of that season, Terry began funding the team and added driver Tommy Johnson Jr. Terry and her husband, Doug, own and operate Chandler Aviation at the Cavern City Air Terminal in Carlsbad, N.M. Instead of flying the colors of Chandler Aviation on Johnson's Dodge Charger, she chose to use the racecar as a platform to promote awareness for a great cause. The car was painted and the transporters were wrapped with a striking Make-A-Wish design.

She wanted her racecar to be a "giving car."

Terry and one of her 'Wish Kids'

Chandler and DSR host "Wish Kids" and their families to the VIP hospitality pavilion next to the race team's pit area on Saturdays at each of the 24 Mello Yello events held in 21 markets across the country. The Make-A-Wish crew has the opportunity to engage with the children, giving them a tour of the pit area and racecar.

A few months of committing to fund the Make-A-Wish team, another DSR team appeared close to dissolving when the woman with the infectious smile stepped in to fund the one driven by Jack Beckman and donated its branding to the Infinite Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization that combats the most difficult front line issues by providing grants to help the physical and psychological challenges faced by returning military veterans.

More than $300,000 has been raised by the sale of "challenge coins" Beckman carries on each run for a $100 donation to Infinite Hero and nearly $500,000 has been raised for the organization through Terry's efforts.

For the past two years, she funded the Riley Kids Funny Car to benefit Riley Hospital for Children in Indiana during the prestigious U.S. Nationals near Indianapolis. She contributed additionally during DSR's annual Open House that weekend that also raised funds for Riley Kids, often bidding on items she would donate back to the effort.

She funded countless Make-A-Wish dreams to provide monumental memories.

She always made it clear to the "Wish Kids" that the racecar was their car. She would proclaim, "This is YOUR racecar."

And it will continue to be this weekend when her Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams race for her during the NHRA Route 66 Nationals near Chicago.

"Terry is just an incredible lady, and we'll never know how many lives she impacted," Don added. "We'll miss her every day, but we'll never forget her smile and he big heart."

A private funeral service will be held with a public memorial tentatively set for over Labor Day Weekend near Indianapolis during the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Wolf/Don Schumacher Racing
wolfj@shoeracing.com or 317.286.4411

DSR: Jack Beckman NHRA Nationals at Norwalk Race Report: WINNER

Chandler's Infinite Hero team with Beckman in the hot seat at Norwalk gets second win in three straight final rounds

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2017) - Every year, the race at Norwalk, Ohio, showcases a fireworks display on Friday night but on Sunday afternoon, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team with Jack Beckman set off its own pyrotechnics moments after winning the title in the 11th annual NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.

Beckman crossed the finish line in the final round in 4.073 seconds 311.85 mph as the car exploded. He exited safely and got the win over Robert Hight.

"I don't know that we're going to spend a whole lot of time soul searching about why we struggled here, because we left with the trophy," Beckman said who has won three times at Norwalk.

Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champ, and his crew chief trio of Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh advanced to their third straight final round in which they've now won two.

The Infinite Hero car may not have ran the quickest of the 16-car field but it was definitely consist. Beckman ran times of 4.06, 4.07, 4.07, 4.07 throughout the day.

"What happens when you start running consistent is the other cars know that they have to step up a little and I think that we just enjoyed a little bit of that for the last couple weekends. We weren't spectacular, but our car went to the finish line pretty consistently and folks knew they had to step up.

"When I say we weren't spectacular, recognize I'm talking about a tenth of a second off of where we'd like to be. Which is not even a blink of an eye, but we need to pick that up and I have every confidence we will pick that up.

"If it doesn't happen tomorrow we're going to keep testing this thing. We want to win some more races and we want to win the championship, which means by Indy we have to have a combination that listens to us. But between now and then they're giving a trophy away every weekend."

This weekend's event in Norwalk closed out the "June Swing," consisting of four races throughout the month. Norwalk was the team's third final round in a row and second win in two weeks.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T            Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.060 sec., 319.82) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.180, 266.11)
Second round: BECKMAN (4.078, 310.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.152, 275.06)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (6.049, 118.22)
Final: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Robert Hight (6.673, 98.53 mph)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 3 (2009, 2015, 2017); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                          
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. RON CAPPS (5)                 1,095    -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                  946   -149
  3. JACK BECKMAN (2)             860    -230
  4. Robert Hight                          809    -286
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   739   -356
  6. Courtney Force                      714   -381
  7. John Force (1)                       683   -412
  8. Tim Wilkerson                        525   -570
  9. J.R. Todd                               508    -587
10. Cruz Pedregon                       431   -664

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, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 310 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: Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge with Beckman win again!

Consistent, plodding Beckman with Chandler's Infinite Hero team get last laugh at Norwalk with third straight final, second event title

NORWALK, Ohio (June 25, 2017) - Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Funny Car team doubled-up on Sunday by winning the NHRA Summit Nationals title then added a undesired starring role in the highlight video when their engine let loose in a fireball just passed the finish line.

"We were planning to bring out a new car anyway to test here tomorrow so we'll just go back to the pit and strip whatever's left off this one," said co-crew chief Neal Strausbaugh who collaborated with Dean Antonelli and John Medlen to send Beckman down the track four times Sunday with less than stellar times in the ever-changing weather conditions that included 4.060, 4.078, 4.074 and 4.073 in the championship round.

Meanwhile Robert Hight of John Force Racing was dominating his opponents by consistently running one-tenth of a second quicker.

On paper, Beckman never seemed to have a chance to get around Hight. But in NHRA, you race on pavement and not paper.

The Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Powered by Pennzoil muscled down the track while Hight blew smoke not far off the starting line. It is the third final round for Beckman in three weeks and his team's second win during that run.

"I don't know that we're going to spend a whole lot of time soul searching about why we struggled here, because we left with the trophy," said Beckman, who won for the third time at the track and the 26th of his career. "We should look at that stuff, but I think we're going to dive in with that brand new race car and figure out what it needs.

Watch this exclusive DSR video from Norwalk

"What happens when you start running consistent is the other cars know that they have to step up a little and I think that we just enjoyed a little bit of that for the last few weekends. We weren't spectacular, but our car went to the finish line pretty consistently and folks knew they had to step up.

"When I say we weren't spectacular, recognize I'm talking about a tenth of a second off of where we'd like to be. Which is not even a blink of an eye, but we need to pick that up. I have every confidence we will pick that up. If it doesn't happen tomorrow we're going to keep testing this thing. We want to win some more races and we want to win the championship, which means by Indy we have to have a combination that listens to us. But between now and then they're giving a trophy away every weekend."

The win was the 11th in 12 events for DSR and the 310th for DSR since 1998.
Qualifying left the four DSR Dodge Charger R/Ts in the top half of the 16-car bracket and after each won their opening races the quartet battled in an intrasquad scrimmage in the second round where Beckman eliminated pole winner Matt Hagan (Mopar Express Lane) and Tommy Johnson Jr. (Make-A-Wish) defeated points leader Ron Capps (NAPA AUTO PARTS) to mark only the third time this season that Capps did not advance to the semifinals.

The outcome for DSR in Top Fuel, however, was not as glorious.

Leah Pritchett and the Papa John's Pizza dragster was the only one of the DSR trio to advance to the semifinals where Pritchett lost to event pole winner and runner-up Doug Kalitta of Kalitta Motorsports. Her loss combined with points leader Steve Torrence winning his four title of the year to extent the distance behind him to 50 points.

World champions Antron Brown (Matco Tools) and Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army) lost in the second round.

"Very solid, it's a good way to wrap up the swing," Pritchett said of the conclusion of the June Swing that presented four races in four weeks.

"We're constantly learning with our power. We're confident we make some of the highest amount of power in comparison to our competition, which is a testament to the success in the cooler weather conditions. So our overall fuel setup still needs some proper fine-tuning, fine discovery. They're still discovering how to harness that power in these hot conditions."

TOP FUEL
Event winner: Steve Torrence (CAPCO Contractors)
No. 1 qualifier: Doug Kalitta (Kalitta Motorsports) 3.709 sec., 327.43 mph

LEAH PRITCHETT, Papa John's Pizza Top Fuel dragster                                          
Crew chief: Todd Okuhara; Assistant: Joe Barlam
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: PRITCHETT (3.760 sec., 324.12 mph) def. Ike Maier (8.295, 105.60)
Second round: PRITCHETT (3.848, 322.04) def. Antron Brown (5.187, 142.16)
Semifinals: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. PRITCHETT (3.800, 314.46)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 4
FRIDAY: 3.720 sec., 322.27 mph, (Session 1); 7.173, 85.95, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 10.772, 72.53, (Session 3); 3.808, 323.81, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.658 sec.-world record (2017, Phoenix); 330.23 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 3, lost in championship round to Clay Millican
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 13, lost in second round to J.R. Todd
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

ANTRON BROWN, Matco Tools/U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                        
Crew chiefs: Brian Corradi, Mark Oswald; Assistant: Brad Mason
SUNDAY'SCHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BROWN (3.768 sec., 323.35 mph) def. Dom Lagana (3.828, 322.34)
Second round: Leah Pritchett (3.848, 322.04) def. BROWN (5.187, 142.16)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 5.988 sec., 114.61 mph, (Session 1); 3.736, 332.26, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.786, 327.19, (Session 3); 4.882, 150.82, (Session 4)
Best time, speed: 3.667 (2017, Phoenix); 333.16 mph (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 7, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 2, lost in second round to Shawn Langdon
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2014); Runner-ups 2 (2010, 2015); Poles 0

TONY SCHUMACHER, U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster                                                    
Crew chief: Mike Green; Assistant: Phil Shuler
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: SCHUMACHER (3.789 sec., 326.56 mph)  def. Mike Salinas (7.129, 96.03)
Second round: Doug Kalitta (3.782, 325.85) def. SCHUMACHER (4.099, 232.04)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 8
FRIDAY: 3.785 sec., 328.38 mph, (Session 1); 3.766, 325.06, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 3.874, 296.63, (Session 3); 3.789, 323.74, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.660 sec. (2017, Topeka); 332.51 mph (2016, Brainerd)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to Scott Palmer
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in second round to Brittany Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2007); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Matt Hagan (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.865 sec.-track record, 333.33 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T        
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (4.060 sec., 319.82) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.180, 266.11)
Second round: BECKMAN (4.078, 310.84) def. Matt Hagan (4.152, 275.06)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (6.049, 118.22)
Final: BECKMAN (4.074, 319.45) def. Robert Hight (6.673, 98.53 mph)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 3 (2009, 2015, 2017); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

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 (3.942 sec., 322.34 mph) def. J.R. Todd (4.032, 318.69)
Second round: JOHNSON (3.960, 324.44) def. Ron Capps (3.965, 324.83)
Semifinals: Jack Beckman (4.074, 319.45) def. JOHNSON (6.049, 118.22)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 5
FRIDAY: 8.568 sec., 82.47 mph, (Session 1); 3.925, 329.34, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.008, 320.05, (Session 3); 3.990, 316.38, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.837 sec. (Phoenix 2017); 330.80 mph (Seattle, 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 8, lost in semifinals to Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

RON CAPPS, NAPA AUTO PARTS 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                                        
Crew chief: Rahn Tobler; Assistant: Eric Lane
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: CAPPS (3.993 sec., 310.27 mph) def. Jonnie Lindberg (8.596, 84.51)
Second round: Tommy Johnson Jr. (3.960, 324.44) def. CAPPS (3.965, 324.83)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 13
FRIDAY: 4.420 sec., 196.64 mph, (Session 1); 4.144, 236.13, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.201, 239.53, (Session 3); 4.018, 321.19, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.839 sec. (2017, Phoenix); 333.58 mph (2017, Phoenix)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 10, won in championship round over Jack Beckman
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 3, won in championship round over Courtney Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 1 (2016); Runner-ups 3 (2011, 2013, 2014); Poles 0

MATT HAGAN, Mopar Express Lane 2017 Dodge Charger R/T                                          Crew chief: Dickie Venables; Assistant: Michael Knudsen
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: HAGAN (4.349 sec., 216.62 mph) def. Jeff Diehl (14.165, 61.22)
Second round: Jack Beckman (4.078, 310.84) def. HAGAN (4.152, 275.06)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 1
FRIDAY: 3.881 sec., 332.02 mph, (Session 1); 3.865-track record, 333.33, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.034, 321.88, (Session 3); 3.979, 327.35, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.802 sec.-world record (2017,Topeka); 338.85 mph-world record (2017, Topeka)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. lost in semifinals to eventual event winner Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 6, lost in first round to John Force
Career at Norwalk: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0; Poles 2 (2015, 2017)

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES TOP FUEL STANDINGS                          
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio.; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. Steve Torrence (4)             1,071      -----
  2. LEAH PRITCHETT (3)        1,021      -50
  3. ANTRON BROWN (2)           990      -81  
  4. TONY SCHUMACHER (1)    856    -215  
  5. Doug Kalitta                           781    -290
  6. Brittany Force (1)                  734    -337
  7. Clay Millican (1)                     695    -376
  8. Terry McMillen                       477    -594
  9. Troy Coughlin Jr.                   464    -607
  9. Scott Palmer                          464    -607  
                                                                       
2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                    
(Official after Norwalk, Ohio; 12th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)

  1. RON CAPPS (5)                 1,095    -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                  946   -149
  3. JACK BECKMAN (2)             855    -240
  4. Robert Hight                          809    -286
  5. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)   739   -356
  6. Courtney Force                      714   -381
  7. John Force (1)                       683   -412
  8. Tim Wilkerson                        525   -570  
  9. J.R. Todd                               508    -587  
10. Cruz Pedregon                       431   -664  




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, 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 309 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, Infinite Hero team save best qualifying run for last, move up to No. 9 for Sunday's eliminations in Northern Ohio

NORWALK, Ohio (June 24, 2017) - As Jack Beckman rolled to the starting line in the first session on Saturday in Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, he was not yet qualified for the 16-car field of Sunday's 11th annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

After some pedal work, he made a lap of 4.321 seconds at 224.88 mph. But, the team didn't want to settle for the precarious No. 15 spot.

During the final session, Beckman made a lap of 3.971 seconds (322.04) to securely seed him No. 9.

"I'm not sure what happened last night during the killer conditions," Beckman said of Friday night's cool track temperatures. "I felt something and lifted and we lost all the computer data.

"We had a malfunction with the battery and we didn't get anything so we lost the ability to use that as a data acquisition run. That kind of painted us into a corner.

"We went up there Q3, not qualified when we pulled up to the starting line, it spun early and I took it much farther than I normally would on a qualifying run, hoping it would be enough to get us in. It did, but we were still precarious going into Q4.

"After Courtney (Force) ran first and didn't end up qualifying for Sunday, we knew we were in but we didn't want to go into race day knowing we were No. 15.

"I'm really proud of the guys for rallying together and making a great call to move us way up in the field and giving us a chance at a trophy tomorrow."

Beckman and the Infinite Hero Foundation team Powered by Pennzoil, won the event two weeks ago in Englishtown and advanced to the final round last weekend at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn.

Beckman has won twice in Norwalk as the Infinite Hero team looks for its second win this season in the final event of the June Swing, which was four races in four weeks.

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T        
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
SUNDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: Cruz Pedregon
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Qualified: No. 9
FRIDAY: 12.165 sec., 81.77 mph, (Session 1); 6.723, 103.40, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 4.321, 224.88, (Session 3); 3.971, 322.04, (Session 4)
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
NORWALK BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 18), Bristol, Tenn.: Qualified No. 5, lost in championship round to Ron Capps
A year ago at Norwalk: Qualified No. 5, lost in first round to Alexis DeJoria
Career at Norwalk: Wins 2 (2009, 2015); Runner-ups 0; Poles 0

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, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 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, Chandler's Infinite Hero team hope to remain hot after win, runner-up heading to Norwalk this weekend

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 21, 2017) - After advancing to their second straight final round last weekend, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car is ready for the final race of the four-race June Swing at the 11th annual NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.

"I don't think there's anybody in the pro pits that isn't absolutely exhausted by now," said Jack Beckman, driver of the Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car.

"We've gone back-to-back-to-back."

June consists of four events in four weeks for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series. Norwalk, Ohio is the final stop of the swing that began in Epping, N.H.

"Epping was just postcard weather and Englishtown and Bristol were pretty brutal. Then we're probably going to have another hot and nasty weekend and I can't wait to get out there and I know our team feels exactly the same way."

The Infinite Hero team took home the event title two weeks ago at Englishtown, N.J.'s Summernationals then advanced to the finals last weekend in Bristol at the Thunder Valley Nationals.

For Englishtown and Bristol, Beckman lined up against his Don Schumacher Racing teammate and NHRA points leader, Ron Capps.
In Englishtown, Beckman bettered Capps then in Bristol, Capps won over Beckman.

"I truly believe that attitude often dictates results. But let me tell you, winning a race is really good for everybody's attitude. Then coming back, seven days later and going right back into another final and losing by four-thousandths of a second against what's been the car of the year so far, we know we're right at the top now."

Englishtown was the team's first final round appearance of the season. Beckman believes the team can continue their momentum from the past two events into Norwalk this weekend.
"We've turned a corner with our car. We have crossed our first win off the list. We've moved away up into third in points. It looks like we're heading in the right direction."


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, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 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

FULL ARTICLE

DSR: Beckman advances to second straight final round with Infinite Hero, but this time falls to DSR teammate Capps at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 18, 2017) - Sunday was a rematch of last weekend's race in Englishtown, N.J., for the trophy but this week Jack Beckman and Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team was not on the winning side of the fence.

"Nobody likes losing a final round but when I got back to the pits and the mood of this whole team, I knew that we're right back in the thick of this thing," said Beckman who scored the team's first win of the season last weekend at the NHRA Summernationals when he beat Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps.

Sunday, it was Capps who was able to go to the winner's circle.

"We're slowly getting our groove on and figuring out what the car wants and everybody's excited," Beckman said.

On Sunday, the Infinite Hero team, led by crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, entered race day as the No. 5 qualified car with a time of 3.959 seconds at 322.96 mph.

He lined up against former Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon for the opening session of competition. The car dropped a cylinder but Beckman got the win with a 4.172 (303.43) as Pedregon went into tire smoke.

The Infinite Hero team then matched up against Courtney Force of John Force Racing for the second round. Beckman went into smoke but got the win with a 4.321 (276.75) as Force also smoked to a 4.343.

In the semifinals, Beckman lined up with his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Tommy Johnson Jr., also sponsored by Terry Chandler.
The two ran a close race and Beckman got the win light. He cruised to a 4.009 (318.99) over Johnson's 4.043.

Finally, Beckman met another DSR teammate in the final round. That teammate was the reigning Funny Car champion, Capps.

Last weekend, Beckman got the win over Capps but this weekend Capps got the win. Beckman ran a 4.040 (317.05) but Capps got to the finish line first with a 4.050.

"We didn't get trounced we lost a fantastic drag race," Beckman said. "We both had good lights. Ron rolled in a little farther than me but if you look, those cars were welded together the whole way down the drag strip.

"They out performed us by five-thousandths of a second. That's the way drag races should look and if we keep going the direction we are, those races will start going our way. I'm disappointed we lost, I can wait to get to Norwalk."

Next weekend, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series heads to the Midwest for the fourth race of June's four-race swing in four weeks for the 11th annual NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

DSR FUNNY CARS                                                                                                              
Event winner: Ron Capps (Don Schumacher Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Tim Wilkerson (Tim Wilkerson Motorsports) 3.895 sec., 328.22 mph

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T    
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN 4,172 sec., 303.43) def. Cruz Pedregon (4.302275.28
Second round: BECKMAN (4.321, 276.75) def. Courtney Force (4.343, 221.42)
Semifinals: BECKMAN (4.009, 318.79) def. Tommy Johnson Jr. (4.043, 313.29)
Final: Ron Capps (4.054, 317.05) def. BECKMAN (4.040, 319.29)
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 4.162 sec., 251.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.000, 322.96, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.635, 97.05, (Session 3); 3.959, 318.62, (Session 4)


2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS            
(Unofficial after Bristol, Tenn.; 11th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (5)               1,044       -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                881     -163
  3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            768     -276
  4. Robert Hight                         707     -337
  5. Courtney Force                     704     -340
  6. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1)  663     -381
  7. John Force (1)                       641    -403
  9. Tim Wilkerson                       490     -554
  8. J.R. Todd                              476     -578
10. Cruz Pedregon                     397     -647

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, 2016 world champion the NAPA AUTO PARTS Dodge of Ron Capps and the Make-A-Wish Dodge driven by Tommy Johnson Jr.

DSR has won 309 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, Chandler's Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T team hope for a long, hot race day in Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 17, 2017) - June 21 marks the first day of summer but the summer heat arrived this weekend at Bristol Dragway for the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals and Terry Chandler's Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car with Jack Beckman is ready to race the tricky track.

The Infinite Hero Foundation team will race Cruz Pedregon on Sunday for the opening round of competition.

After a slight rain on Saturday, Beckman posted a time of 3.959 seconds at 318.62 mph to seed them No. 5 and earn them two qualifying bonus points.
"It was worth the wait," Beckman said. "It was a rain delay. The conditions are going to be completely different tomorrow.

"I'm glad we got to make that run. We got two bonus points out of it which means that we were better than every Funny Car but one. We moved up a spot on the ladder. We got some data going into tomorrow. Then it's going to be another day.

"It's a noon start, which is an hour later than normal. It was already going to be hot, which means first round conditions are going to be more typical of a second round at other summer races.

"So, get ready. As a driver, you still have to do your burn out, stage fine, leave on time. Then get ready, there's going to be some crazy stuff going on tomorrow. They're giving a trophy away so we're doing our best that it goes to the Infinite Hero pit."

JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T    
Crew chiefs: Dean Antonelli, John Medlen, Neal Strausbaugh
Qualified: No. 5
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
First round: Cruz Pedregon
QUALIFYING RESULTS
FRIDAY: 4.162 sec., 251.49 mph, (Session 1); 4.000, 322.96, (Session 2)
SATURDAY: 6.635, 97.05, (Session 3); 3.959, 318.62, (Session 4)
BY THE NUMBERS
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Ron Capps
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 0

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 308 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: Englishtown victory moves Chandler's Infinite Hero team to 3rd as Beckman heads to Bristol looking for first Thunder Valley title

 

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 13, 2017) - After Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car team with driver Jack Beckman won its first title of the season Sunday at Englishtown, N.J., they jumped third in championship points.

And look to earn their first title at the 17th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals title on Sunday at Bristol, Tenn.

"Bristol is just one of those bucket-list racetracks from a fan's perspective," said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion.

"It's just so unique, the way it's carved through the valley and enhances the sounds, the views of the hills are breathtaking. It's also great from a racer's perspective. Bristol has so much history. It was on the NHRA tour back in the '60s. It fell off for a few years and we're very fortunate to have it back on as a permanent race right now."

The Bristol event marks the 11th of 24 on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the third of a four-race, four-week stretch called the "Eastern Swing."

"It's where you really start recognizing things are going rapidly. We're approaching the halfway point of the season. Then the next month and a half, it's just rapid fire. This is the time that the teams that are going to contend for the championship start to get their stride and I think we'll be right in the thick of that."

And in the thick of the points standings they are.

After their win last weekend, due to the tuning of crew chiefs Dean Antonelli, John Medlen and Neal Strausbaugh, the Infinite Hero team moved up to No. 3 in the NHRA points.

"We needed to get (the win in Englishtown) so they know that we can do this. The first one is always the toughest one. It's 25 Funny Car wins for me, plus two more in Super Comp, but it's one for this iteration of the Infinite Hero team."

In 2016 at Bristol, Beckman entered race day as the No. 9 qualifier and raced John Force in the opening round. Beckman posted a 3.974-second lap at 322.3 mph to give him the win.

He moved onto the second round to face his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Ron Capps. Beckman ran a 4.007 (317.19) but Capps made it to the finish line first with a time of 3.990 (315.05).

This weekend Beckman looks for his first career win at Bristol and the Infinite Hero Dodge looks for their second wins as a team.


JACK BECKMAN, Terry Chandler's Infinite Hero Foundation 2017 Dodge Charger R/T - won last event
                    Pts      Events       Wins      Rup      Semi      Qtr     1st rd      Poles      DNQ      W/L
2017          3rd             10             1           1             2          4            2              0            0         14-9
CAREER                   262           25         26           47        77          80            21         7      346-230           
Best Time, Speed: 3.825 sec., (2016 Pomona 2); 334.15 mph (Seattle 2016)
BY THE NUMBERS
Last event (June 11), Englishtown, N.J.: Qualified No. 4, won in championship round over Ron Capps
A year ago at Bristol: Qualified No. 9, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Bristol: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2011); Poles 0

2017 NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES FUNNY CAR STANDINGS                            
(Official after Englishtown, N.J.; 10th of 24 events; wins in parenthesis; DSR drivers in CAPS)
  1. RON CAPPS (4)                  931       -----
  2. MATT HAGAN (3)                802      -129
  3. JACK BECKMAN (1)            652     -279
  4. Courtney Force                    648      -283
  5. Robert Hight                         645      -286
  6t. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. (1) 587    -344
  6t. John Force (1)                     587      -344
  8. J.R. Todd                             444        -444
  9. Tim Wilkerson                      427      -504
10. Del Worsham                       372      -559



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 308 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