NHRA
Jack Beckman prepared for Topeka
Heartland Park Topeka
Edited: May 20, 2011, 2:01 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jack Beckman Is Taking His Dream Machine To America’s Heartland For The Summer Nationals
TOPEKA, Kan., – Jack Beckman drives the Aaron’s Dream Machine/Valvoline Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car into Heartland Park Topeka for this weekend’s 23rd annual NHRA Summer Nationals on a run of two wins in the last three races, including last week’s event at Atlanta Dragway.
The 44-year-old Don Schumacher Racing driver has steadily moved from 10th place, after the season’s initial contest, to second in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car standings, trailing Mike Neff by a one-round deficit of 20 points.
According to Beckman, things have been coming together for the team as the season progressed.
Jack Beckman celebrates with his full throttle and and trophy
Photo by: Ted Rossino
“Jelling, chemistry, momentum, check, check and check,” said the Southern Californian. “I just can’t wait to get to the track and into the race car. I’m always excited about racing, but I am especially so right now, anxious to get in the car for that very first run on Fridays.”
He attributes the calm, confidence of the team to its two primary leaders – Rahn Tobler, crew chief and John Collins, assistant crew chief.
“Both Rahn and John are quiet, serious guys, respectful of each other,” he explained. “They talk like friends at work, taking their jobs and responsibilities very seriously. And neither of them has an ego – there are no egos on the Aaron’s/Valvoline team.
“Actually, I have nine friends here. It’s not mandatory for the driver and the crew members to be friends, but it is a big plus. Most importantly, there is a mutual respect and trust amongst us, which cannot be underestimated. The guy driving an 8,000-horsepower car running on nitro needs to trust the guys working on his car in order to do his job with confidence.”
Beckman and the team’s confidence has grown steadily from the disappointing opening race first-round loss. He followed with a semifinals appearance, a quarterfinals one, then a win in the unique Charlotte 4-Wide Nationals, another semifinals round in Houston and last week’s win in the Southern Nationals. The results – second place in the standings behind Neff and ahead of Robert Hight, Cruz Pedregon and DSR teammate Matt Hagan.
The two wins as well as last year’s win in Phoenix – his last three victories – came at tracks where he had previously won. This is not the case for Heartland Park, but Beckman is not concerned.
“There are more tracks I have not won at then ones I have,” said the winner of 11 national events since his 2006 rookie year in a Funny Car. “I think the odds are good I will win events at “new” tracks and I don’t see any reason why this can’t start here in Topeka.
“The way this Aaron’s/Valvoline Funny Car is running and this team is working, we should be back in the final round very quickly.”
-source: dsr
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Antron Brown looks to win at Topeka
Next article Johnny Gray ready for Topeka
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Robert Hight
John Force Racing confirms its return to action
NHRA
NHRA
John Force Racing confirms its return to action
John Force Racing pauses racing activities until 2021
NHRA
NHRA
John Force Racing pauses racing activities until 2021
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
NHRA
NHRA
Pomona II
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
3 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe