BROWNSBURG, Ind. (March 29, 2016) – Jack Beckman and Don Schumacher Racing’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock returned to their record-setting ways two weeks ago at Gainesville, Fla.
Prock, with assistant crew chiefs John Medlen and Chris Cunningham, tuned Beckman and the team fully-funded by Terry Chandler to a national record elapsed time of 3.879 seconds that matches DSR teammate Matt Hagan for quickest run ever by a Funny Car.
It marks the fifth time in less than a year when the Infinite Hero team has reset the national time record.
The Infinite Hero team took record-setting a step further when its speed of 329.26 mph on that run not only eclipsed the Gainesville track record for Funny Cars but also was faster than any Top Fuel dragster has gone in the Gatornationals over a 1,000-foot course.
“(Gainesville) was about setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in ‘National Dragster.’ Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”
The Funny Car records at Gainesville bring the Infinite Hero team’s total track records to 11 including seven for elapsed time and four for speed.
While records are nice, winning is paramount. And Beckman says he’s overdue at Las Vegas, where he made his first Top Fuel run in 2005 and won his first Funny Car title in the following year after joining Don Schumacher Racing.
“Las Vegas is a track where you get two shots a year to win,” he said of its spring and fall races. “It’s unusual that it’s been 10 years since my first and only nitro win there.”
He also wants to stop a streak of six Mello Yello events in which he hasn’t hoisted a trophy on Sunday.
“We haven’t won a trophy since Maple Grove (at Reading, Pa.) with three races left in the last season. It’s not like I necessarily feel like we’re overdue, but I’m chomping at the bit because we know what we’re capable of doing. After the season we had last year (seven wins and second in points) you don’t want to go seven races without a win.
“We had become accustom to finishing late on Sunday. Everything is there. We have everything we need to finish in the winner’s circle.”
After winning his second pole of the season and 17th of his career, Beckman advanced to the semifinals at Gainesville before a seized bearing in the supercharger prevented him to abort the run before he went more than a few feet against teammate Ron Capps.
“I felt like we let that one slip away,” said Beckman, the 2012 Funny Car world champion and winner of 22 NHRA Wally trophies. “You have to capitalize on the opportunity when you have a car running that well. That was an extra hard punch in the gut. We couldn’t get it off the starting line and Ron smoked the tires but won.”
But the Infinite Hero team was able to jump from seventh to fourth in points after the third event of the 24-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and is 75 points out of the lead.
JACK BECKMAN: Infinite Hero 2016 Dodge Charger R/T
Last event (March 18-20 at Gainesville): Qualified No. 1, lost in semifinals to Ron Capps
2015 Las Vegas 1: Qualified No. 2, lost in first round to Cruz Pedregon
2015 Las Vegas 2: Qualified No. 4, lost in second round to Ron Capps
Career at Las Vegas 1: Wins 0; Runner-ups 0 Poles 0
Career at Las Vegas: Wins 1 (2006); Runner-ups 2 (2012, 2009); Poles 0
Pts Events Wins Rup Semi Qtr 1st rd Poles DNQ W/L
2016 4th 3 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 4-3
2015 2nd 24 7 2 4 5 5 5 1 46-16
CAREER 231 22 22 42 65 73 17 7 301-202 Best Time, Speed: 3.879 sec.-national record (2016, Gainesville); 329.26 (2016, Gainesville)
2016 NHRA MELLO YELLO STANDINGS
(Official after Gainesville, third of 24 events; wins in parenthesis, DSR drivers in CAPS)
Funny Car
1. Robert Hight (1) 280
2. RON CAPPS (1) 279
3. John Force 221
4. JACK BECKMAN 205
5. Courtney Force 201
6. Del Worsham 189
7. Tim Wilkerson (1) 183
8. Chad Head 162
9.Alexis DeJoria 119
10. MATT HAGAN 118
11. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 117
FULL ARTICLE
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
DSR: Beckman’s record-breaking Gators goes up in smoke in semifinals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 20, 2016)— A weekend for the record books at the Mello Yello Racing Series 47th annual NHRA Gatornationals for “Fast” Jack Beckman unfortunately ended in the semifinal round against Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps on Sunday.
The driver of the Terry Chandler-funded Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T earned his first-ever pole at this legendary event with an elapsed time of 3.879 seconds, good for the new national record, and earned his 300th career round victory to kick off the event.
He would go on to take the win light against John Force, who fouled out after leaving the starting line too soon, in the second round, but ultimately fell to Capps in the semifinal when his Funny Car’s engine gave up the ghost in a decidedly odd series of events.
After the burnout in the semifinals, Beckman had a hard time backing his machine up and when he hit the loud pedal, the car moved about ten feet and stopped.
Unfortunately, the veteran Funny Car driver knew exactly what happened.
“It’s actually happened to me once before,” said the 2012 NHRA Funny Car champion. “It seized the bearing for the blower drive, and once that happens, it gets so hot that it boils the seal and all the fluid in the supercharger shoots out the front. Poor (crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) almost got a bath in it when he went to turn the idle screw right before.”
Beckman knew he would need some luck on his side to beat his DSR teammate, but it was Capps who got the break. “The only option I had was the change up my starting line routine,” Beckman said. “We went in and lit both bulbs. Ron’s experienced, he didn’t fall for it, and then to kind of rub salt in the wound, you see them struggle and then think ‘Wow!’ Any other run…
“But that’s the nature of drag racing. We got a lucky break against Force in the second round when he smoked the tires. I think when you’re running consistently well, you put yourself in a position to take advantage of lucky breaks. We need to be a little more consistent.”
The next stop on the Mello Yello tour is April 1-3 with the NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
FUNNY CAR
Winner: Robert Hight (John Force Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record)
JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 1
SUNDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (3.919 sec., 324.90) def. Jeff Diehl (12.641. 77.99)
Second round: BECKMAN (8.061, 74.67) def. John Force (DQ/redlight)
Semifinals: Ron Capps (6.151, 194.80) def. BECKMAN (shut off)
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY: 7.633 sec., 76.84 mph, (Session 3); 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record), (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.806, 115.79, (Session 1); 3.913, 323.74, (Session 2)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(Unofficial after 3 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS; wins in parenthesis)
Funny Car
1. Robert Hight (1) 280
2. RON CAPPS (1) 279
3. John Force 221
4. JACK BECKMAN 205
5. Courtney Force 201
6. Del Worsham 189
7. Tim Wilkerson (1) 183
8. Chad Head 162
9.Alexis DeJoria 119
10. MATT HAGAN 118
11. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 117
12. Cruz Pedregon 114
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The driver of the Terry Chandler-funded Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T earned his first-ever pole at this legendary event with an elapsed time of 3.879 seconds, good for the new national record, and earned his 300th career round victory to kick off the event.
He would go on to take the win light against John Force, who fouled out after leaving the starting line too soon, in the second round, but ultimately fell to Capps in the semifinal when his Funny Car’s engine gave up the ghost in a decidedly odd series of events.
After the burnout in the semifinals, Beckman had a hard time backing his machine up and when he hit the loud pedal, the car moved about ten feet and stopped.
Unfortunately, the veteran Funny Car driver knew exactly what happened.
“It’s actually happened to me once before,” said the 2012 NHRA Funny Car champion. “It seized the bearing for the blower drive, and once that happens, it gets so hot that it boils the seal and all the fluid in the supercharger shoots out the front. Poor (crew chief) Jimmy (Prock) almost got a bath in it when he went to turn the idle screw right before.”
Beckman knew he would need some luck on his side to beat his DSR teammate, but it was Capps who got the break. “The only option I had was the change up my starting line routine,” Beckman said. “We went in and lit both bulbs. Ron’s experienced, he didn’t fall for it, and then to kind of rub salt in the wound, you see them struggle and then think ‘Wow!’ Any other run…
“But that’s the nature of drag racing. We got a lucky break against Force in the second round when he smoked the tires. I think when you’re running consistently well, you put yourself in a position to take advantage of lucky breaks. We need to be a little more consistent.”
The next stop on the Mello Yello tour is April 1-3 with the NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
FUNNY CAR
Winner: Robert Hight (John Force Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record)
JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 1
SUNDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN (3.919 sec., 324.90) def. Jeff Diehl (12.641. 77.99)
Second round: BECKMAN (8.061, 74.67) def. John Force (DQ/redlight)
Semifinals: Ron Capps (6.151, 194.80) def. BECKMAN (shut off)
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY: 7.633 sec., 76.84 mph, (Session 3); 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record), (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.806, 115.79, (Session 1); 3.913, 323.74, (Session 2)
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Standings
(Unofficial after 3 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS; wins in parenthesis)
Funny Car
1. Robert Hight (1) 280
2. RON CAPPS (1) 279
3. John Force 221
4. JACK BECKMAN 205
5. Courtney Force 201
6. Del Worsham 189
7. Tim Wilkerson (1) 183
8. Chad Head 162
9.Alexis DeJoria 119
10. MATT HAGAN 118
11. TOMMY JOHNSON JR. 117
12. Cruz Pedregon 114
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Racin' Today: Beckman Sets ET Record En Route To Gatornationals Pole
Morning rain delayed the start of
Saturday’s qualifying for the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA
Gatornationals, and it paid off in record-smashing fashion for Jack
Beckman.
“Fast Jack” began the fourth and final session at Gainesville Raceway on the provisional pole and was in the last pair of Funny Cars to go down the Florida track Saturday evening. Beckman posted a 1,000-foot pass of 3.879-seconds at 329.26 mph in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record. That time also is a track record. The 2012 world champion, Beckman now has 17 poles in his career and two in 2016.
Beckman, who will open eliminations Sunday against Jeff Diehl, is hoping to turn his first Gainesville pole into his first win at the historic East Coast facility.
“I’m always excited to come here,” Beckman said. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.” In addition to Prock, Beckman’s Don Schumacher Racing crew includes assistant crew chiefs John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
“I’m proud of the guys,” Beckman added. “That’s two-of-four runs on this car since our (fabrication) shop front-halved the chassis. I knew our (3.913) Friday night could have been quicker and we showed that tonight.”
FULL ARTICLE
“Fast Jack” began the fourth and final session at Gainesville Raceway on the provisional pole and was in the last pair of Funny Cars to go down the Florida track Saturday evening. Beckman posted a 1,000-foot pass of 3.879-seconds at 329.26 mph in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record. That time also is a track record. The 2012 world champion, Beckman now has 17 poles in his career and two in 2016.
Beckman, who will open eliminations Sunday against Jeff Diehl, is hoping to turn his first Gainesville pole into his first win at the historic East Coast facility.
“I’m always excited to come here,” Beckman said. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.” In addition to Prock, Beckman’s Don Schumacher Racing crew includes assistant crew chiefs John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
“I’m proud of the guys,” Beckman added. “That’s two-of-four runs on this car since our (fabrication) shop front-halved the chassis. I knew our (3.913) Friday night could have been quicker and we showed that tonight.”
FULL ARTICLE
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Jacksonville.com: NHRA, drivers make difference with Infinte Hero, Make-A-Wish groups
In one of the most unusual sponsorship agreements in professional sports history, Beckman and Johnson have sponsorships from two charitable organizations. Beckman drives the Infinite Hero Funny Car; Johnson pedals the Make-A-Wish Funny Car.
And neither charity pays a dime for the ride.
The program is the quiet creation of Terry Chandler. The sister of former Funny Car driver and 2013 Gatornationals winner Johnny Gray Jr. uses a portion of an inheritance to generate support for two worthy causes. The NHRA has proved to be a worthy vehicle to deliver the message.
Always around and usually far from the spotlight, Chandler generally avoids interviews and accolades. After she arranged a meeting between Johnson and Motley’s family at the busy Gainesville Raceway garage area Saturday, Chandler reluctantly talked about the programs.
“It’s not about me,” she said. “I’m just a simple woman. It hurts my heart to see people hurt. This heals my heart.”
It also heals broken lives.
In the past year, Linfoot has been fitted with an exoskeleton. It’s a bionic brace that’s strapped to his back and legs that enables him to walk. The brace cost $125,000 and was entirely paid by the race team.
“This is changing lives,” Beckman said. “When we deal with our veterans, it’s about family. It’s that way in the NHRA, too. We’ve found all they want is to be normal. While it may not be the exact normal they’ve known, Infinite Hero is doing a wonderful job of making that happen.”
The program has helped Linfoot take “250,000 steps and counting.” It also will allow him to walk his daughter down the aisle when she gets married in October.
“Terry’s a sweetheart,” Linfoot said. “Four or five years ago, walking again would have just been a pipe dream.”
Beckman carries military-like challenge coins inside his Dodge Charger. Fans can buy one for $100 after each round, and all money goes to the veterans’ charity that was created by Oakley Sunglasses. In addition to paying for Linfoot’s exoskeleton, the team raised $170,000 by selling the coins and more than $200,000 in other promotions.
“I can 100 percent guarantee you, it’s helping lives,” Beckman said.
FULL ARTICLE
And neither charity pays a dime for the ride.
The program is the quiet creation of Terry Chandler. The sister of former Funny Car driver and 2013 Gatornationals winner Johnny Gray Jr. uses a portion of an inheritance to generate support for two worthy causes. The NHRA has proved to be a worthy vehicle to deliver the message.
Always around and usually far from the spotlight, Chandler generally avoids interviews and accolades. After she arranged a meeting between Johnson and Motley’s family at the busy Gainesville Raceway garage area Saturday, Chandler reluctantly talked about the programs.
“It’s not about me,” she said. “I’m just a simple woman. It hurts my heart to see people hurt. This heals my heart.”
It also heals broken lives.
In the past year, Linfoot has been fitted with an exoskeleton. It’s a bionic brace that’s strapped to his back and legs that enables him to walk. The brace cost $125,000 and was entirely paid by the race team.
“This is changing lives,” Beckman said. “When we deal with our veterans, it’s about family. It’s that way in the NHRA, too. We’ve found all they want is to be normal. While it may not be the exact normal they’ve known, Infinite Hero is doing a wonderful job of making that happen.”
The program has helped Linfoot take “250,000 steps and counting.” It also will allow him to walk his daughter down the aisle when she gets married in October.
“Terry’s a sweetheart,” Linfoot said. “Four or five years ago, walking again would have just been a pipe dream.”
Beckman carries military-like challenge coins inside his Dodge Charger. Fans can buy one for $100 after each round, and all money goes to the veterans’ charity that was created by Oakley Sunglasses. In addition to paying for Linfoot’s exoskeleton, the team raised $170,000 by selling the coins and more than $200,000 in other promotions.
“I can 100 percent guarantee you, it’s helping lives,” Beckman said.
FULL ARTICLE
RACER/NHRA: Beckman's record pace leads Gainesville qualifiers
Jack Beckman set a national record and raced to the No. 1 qualifier
in Funny Car at the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on
Saturday. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie
Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers at the third
of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Beckman (pictured) posted a 3.879-second at 329.26 mph sprint in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record and become the No. 1 qualifier. His time was a Gainesville Raceway track record. He has 17 No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two so far in 2016. This is his first No. 1 at Gainesville Raceway and he will hope to secure his first win at the facility tomorrow. Beckman will open eliminations against Jeff Diehl.
"I'm always excited to come here," said Beckman. "This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go."
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman (pictured) posted a 3.879-second at 329.26 mph sprint in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record and become the No. 1 qualifier. His time was a Gainesville Raceway track record. He has 17 No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two so far in 2016. This is his first No. 1 at Gainesville Raceway and he will hope to secure his first win at the facility tomorrow. Beckman will open eliminations against Jeff Diehl.
"I'm always excited to come here," said Beckman. "This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go."
FULL ARTICLE
FoxSports.com: Track and National records fall during NHRA Gatornationals qualifying
In Funny Car, Fast Jack Beckman set the national ET record with a
pass at 3.879 seconds at 329.26 mph (track speed record). to take the
No. 1 qualifier spot, his second of the season and the 17th of his
career. Beckman will face Jeff Diehl in Sunday’s first round.
For Beckman, the national record did not come as a surprise.
“On our 3.91 from yesterday, we were actually kind of conservative and I thought we easily could have got two hundredths on that,” Beckman said. “And then, earlier today, (crew chief Jimmy Prock) was talking about some splits that would have been even quicker than that .879 … driving for Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”
FULL ARTICLE
For Beckman, the national record did not come as a surprise.
“On our 3.91 from yesterday, we were actually kind of conservative and I thought we easily could have got two hundredths on that,” Beckman said. “And then, earlier today, (crew chief Jimmy Prock) was talking about some splits that would have been even quicker than that .879 … driving for Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”
FULL ARTICLE
Motor Sports Newswire: Beckman, Crampton, Line and Krawiec are No.1 Qualifiers at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, FL – March 19, 2016
– Jack Beckman set a national record and raced to the No. 1 qualifier
in Funny Car at the 47th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on
Saturday.
Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers at the third of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Beckman posted a 3.879-second at 329.26 mph sprint in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record and become the No. 1 qualifier. His time was a Gainesville Raceway track record. He has 17 No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two so far in 2016.
This is his first No. 1 at Gainesville Raceway and he will hope to secure his first win at the facility tomorrow. Beckman will open eliminations against Jeff Diehl.
“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”
Courtney Force qualified second in her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 3.893 at 322.96. Force will open eliminations against Dave Richards. Her John Force Racing teammate, Robert Hight, pushed his Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS to a 3.921 at 327.43 to qualify third. Hight will face Terry Haddock in Sunday’s first round.
Phoenix winner Tim Wilkerson will enter eliminations as the fourth qualifier and race Cruz Pedregon. Pomona winner Ron Capps is fifth and will meet John Hale in the opening round.
Eliminations at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
FULL ARTICLE
Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were No. 1 qualifiers at the third of 24 events in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Beckman posted a 3.879-second at 329.26 mph sprint in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T to reset the elapsed time national record and become the No. 1 qualifier. His time was a Gainesville Raceway track record. He has 17 No. 1 qualifiers in his career and two so far in 2016.
This is his first No. 1 at Gainesville Raceway and he will hope to secure his first win at the facility tomorrow. Beckman will open eliminations against Jeff Diehl.
“I’m always excited to come here,” said Beckman. “This place was setting records long before I ever came out here when I was reading about it in National Dragster. Driving for (crew chief) Jimmy Prock, we can set records most places we go.”
Courtney Force qualified second in her Traxxas Chevrolet Camaro SS with a 3.893 at 322.96. Force will open eliminations against Dave Richards. Her John Force Racing teammate, Robert Hight, pushed his Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS to a 3.921 at 327.43 to qualify third. Hight will face Terry Haddock in Sunday’s first round.
Phoenix winner Tim Wilkerson will enter eliminations as the fourth qualifier and race Cruz Pedregon. Pomona winner Ron Capps is fifth and will meet John Hale in the opening round.
Eliminations at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
FULL ARTICLE
WPTZ: Beckman breaks Funny Car record at Gatornationals
Jack Beckman set a national Funny Car record with a
pass of 3.879 seconds to take the No. 1 qualifying spot heading into
Sunday's NHRA eliminations in the Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals in
Gainesville, Fla.
DSR: National record time puts Beckman, Infinite Hero Dodge on pole; Brown leads DSR Top Fuel dragsters with No. 3 seed in Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19, 2016) – Morning rain delayed the start of Saturday’s qualifying for the 47th annual NHRA Gatornationals, and it paid off for Jack Beckman and Don Schumacher Racing’s Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team.
Beckman began the fourth and final session with the provisional pole and was in the last pair of Funny Cars to go down the track Saturday evening and improved on his previous best time with an NHRA national record run of 3.879 seconds at a track-record speed of 329.26 mph.
The No. 1 qualifying position is the second in three Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events for Beckman and the team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
“I’m proud of the guys. That’s two of four runs on this car since our (fabrication) shop front-halved the chassis,” said Beckman, the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world championship.
“I knew our (3.913) last night could have been quicker and we showed that tonight.”
Championship eliminations begin at 11 a.m. (ET) Sunday with a three-hour live telecast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
FUNNY CAR
No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.879 sec. (national record), 329.26 mph (track record)
JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No.
SUNDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN vs. Jeff Diehl
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY: 7.633 sec., 76.84 mph, (Session 3); 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record), (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.806, 115.79, (Session 1); 3.913, 323.74, (Session 2)
FULL ARTICLE
Beckman began the fourth and final session with the provisional pole and was in the last pair of Funny Cars to go down the track Saturday evening and improved on his previous best time with an NHRA national record run of 3.879 seconds at a track-record speed of 329.26 mph.
The No. 1 qualifying position is the second in three Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events for Beckman and the team led by crew chief Jimmy Prock and assistants John Medlen and Chris Cunningham.
“I’m proud of the guys. That’s two of four runs on this car since our (fabrication) shop front-halved the chassis,” said Beckman, the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world championship.
“I knew our (3.913) last night could have been quicker and we showed that tonight.”
Championship eliminations begin at 11 a.m. (ET) Sunday with a three-hour live telecast on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) starting at 1 p.m. (ET).
FUNNY CAR
No. 1 qualifier: Jack Beckman (Don Schumacher Racing) 3.879 sec. (national record), 329.26 mph (track record)
JACK BECKMAN, Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No.
SUNDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATIONS
First round: BECKMAN vs. Jeff Diehl
QUALIFYING
SATURDAY: 7.633 sec., 76.84 mph, (Session 3); 3.879 (national record), 329.26 (track record), (Session 4)
FRIDAY: 5.806, 115.79, (Session 1); 3.913, 323.74, (Session 2)
FULL ARTICLE
Friday, March 18, 2016
Jacksonville.com: Weather puts drivers in hurry at Gatornationals
...None was more alarming that Jack Beckman’s 3.913-second run late in the afternoon with a top-end speed of 323.74 mph.
“That’s a perfect day for me,” he said.
Beckman, Ron Capps, Courtney Force, Robert Hight, Del Worsham, Matt Hagan, Tim Wilkerson and Head all beat the previous Funny Car track record.
“It’s headers, headers, headers,” Beckman said. “Ever since we laid the headers back, you’ve seen this. I believe there’s a 3.8 [second] out there.
“What’s scary is that wasn’t all the car had. We weren’t swinging for the fence.”
The exhaust pipes for Funny Cars used to point upward. When the engine is a full power, it essentially creates thrust that keeps the car glued to the race track.
The class went to new headers that are aimed upward and toward the back of the car. It still creates some downforce, but it also adds a forward boost.
With 15 Funny Cars in the field, everyone was guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s run-offs. Top Fuel has 16 cars, so nobody will be sent home before the round-of-16 eliminations.
Force waited until dusk to set the lowest elapsed time of the day. And like Beckman, she said the car was capable of even more.
FULL ARTICLE
“That’s a perfect day for me,” he said.
Beckman, Ron Capps, Courtney Force, Robert Hight, Del Worsham, Matt Hagan, Tim Wilkerson and Head all beat the previous Funny Car track record.
“It’s headers, headers, headers,” Beckman said. “Ever since we laid the headers back, you’ve seen this. I believe there’s a 3.8 [second] out there.
“What’s scary is that wasn’t all the car had. We weren’t swinging for the fence.”
The exhaust pipes for Funny Cars used to point upward. When the engine is a full power, it essentially creates thrust that keeps the car glued to the race track.
The class went to new headers that are aimed upward and toward the back of the car. It still creates some downforce, but it also adds a forward boost.
With 15 Funny Cars in the field, everyone was guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s run-offs. Top Fuel has 16 cars, so nobody will be sent home before the round-of-16 eliminations.
Force waited until dusk to set the lowest elapsed time of the day. And like Beckman, she said the car was capable of even more.
FULL ARTICLE
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