BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Oct. 28, 2026) – It will be 20 years ago this Thursday, on Oct. 29, 2006, that Jack Beckman defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to earn his first NHRA Funny Car final round win in his first final round appearance.
The win total has grown to 39 over the past 20 years and it has created the opportunity for Beckman and his John Force Racing PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team to reach the 40-win milestone at the Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals.
The PEAK SQUAD is currently fifth in the point standings on the strength of two wins (Epping, Indianapolis) and three runner-up finishes (Charlotte, Maryland, Norwalk), 160 points out of the top spot but only 62 out of second place.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 18 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 2,503; 2. Jordan Vandergriff, 2,405; 3. J.R. Todd, 2,384; 4. Austin Prock, 2, 348; 5. Jack Beckman, 2,443; 6. Ron Capps, 2,315; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,276; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,207; 9. Chad Green, 2,155; 10. Spencer Hyde, 2,149.
Quotes
What are your memories of your first career NHRA Funny Car win in Las Vegas in 2006?
“Las Vegas used to give us two shots a year and I won a lot of Sportsman races there over the years. But when I won my pro race there, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got something going with this track.’ It has been mighty greedy over the last 19 years. What I remember most about that 2006 win is that I raced with the same philosophy that I do now. In the semifinal, I rolled as shallow as I could, got the win, and then I watched Tommy Johnson beat Eric Medlen in the other semifinal. We had lane choice in the final round and it made a difference in the outcome. So, it’s, validating to know that 20 years later, I’m still using the same philosophy. It was nighttime when we ran the final round and we had an all carbon fiber body with sponsor decals but no paint on it. I just looked menacing and it ran that way. I was so fortunate when I came into the Funny Car class. I’ve always driven for top flight crews, crew chiefs, and car owners and man, did that feel good.”
What are the PEAK SQUAD’S goals over these next two races?
“Barring a miracle, we’re not going to win the championship. But the wonderful thing about drag racing is our season’s not over. We still have 10% of it left. We have two races and just as much incentive to win those races, as if we were contending for the championship. We can certainly still finish second in the championship. Our goal is the same. We’re still going to treat qualifying like all the bonus points matter because even if it doesn’t get us first place, maybe it’s a bonus point that gets to second place. We’ll treat everything the exact same way. People may say the pressure off but its’ not because it’s the same level of pressure to win every single race.”
Do you participate in the casino life when you’re in Las Vegas?
“I work too hard for my money to risk it on a bet. Years ago, what little gambling I may have done consisted of $40 of quarters to play video poker for a few hours. That was the price of entertainment for me.”
Are there any places that you and Christine like to like to visit while you’re out there?
“Christine and I are pretty low maintenance people. I would love if I had more time, if I wasn’t working the elevator gig, to be able to go out a day or two early, take her to a show or something like that. The reality is we’re going to drive out there Thursday, probably about lunchtime. We’ll get there late afternoon or early evening and that’s about it. We may get a bite and I might be able to talk her into going to see a movie. I haven’t had my popcorn for a while.”
What is Jack Beckman’s Las Vegas drag racing career before The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
“My history with Vegas goes back before this drag strip. Less than a mile down the road from Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the Las Vegas Speedrome when I was a sportsman racer. I ran a lot of Sportsmen and NHRA Divisional races there. Going to Las Vegas has never been about it being the gambling capital. I was out there racing for 10 years with my friends before I ever did any of the ‘Vegas’ stuff. I just love the atmosphere of going out into the desert, unloading your race car and prepping it to go fast.”
Weekend Appearances
Beckman will be signing autographs Sat., Oct. 31, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1 and 3:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by the final two rounds on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 1.
TV Schedule
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1, followed by eliminations at 5 p.m. ET.
Race Results
Wins: 1 (2006)
No. 1 Qualifiers: 3 (2016, 2017 & 2019)
Event Record: 25-17
2026 Results
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The win total has grown to 39 over the past 20 years and it has created the opportunity for Beckman and his John Force Racing PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car team to reach the 40-win milestone at the Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals.
The PEAK SQUAD is currently fifth in the point standings on the strength of two wins (Epping, Indianapolis) and three runner-up finishes (Charlotte, Maryland, Norwalk), 160 points out of the top spot but only 62 out of second place.
The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 18 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 2,503; 2. Jordan Vandergriff, 2,405; 3. J.R. Todd, 2,384; 4. Austin Prock, 2, 348; 5. Jack Beckman, 2,443; 6. Ron Capps, 2,315; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 2,276; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,207; 9. Chad Green, 2,155; 10. Spencer Hyde, 2,149.
Quotes
What are your memories of your first career NHRA Funny Car win in Las Vegas in 2006?
“Las Vegas used to give us two shots a year and I won a lot of Sportsman races there over the years. But when I won my pro race there, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got something going with this track.’ It has been mighty greedy over the last 19 years. What I remember most about that 2006 win is that I raced with the same philosophy that I do now. In the semifinal, I rolled as shallow as I could, got the win, and then I watched Tommy Johnson beat Eric Medlen in the other semifinal. We had lane choice in the final round and it made a difference in the outcome. So, it’s, validating to know that 20 years later, I’m still using the same philosophy. It was nighttime when we ran the final round and we had an all carbon fiber body with sponsor decals but no paint on it. I just looked menacing and it ran that way. I was so fortunate when I came into the Funny Car class. I’ve always driven for top flight crews, crew chiefs, and car owners and man, did that feel good.”
What are the PEAK SQUAD’S goals over these next two races?
“Barring a miracle, we’re not going to win the championship. But the wonderful thing about drag racing is our season’s not over. We still have 10% of it left. We have two races and just as much incentive to win those races, as if we were contending for the championship. We can certainly still finish second in the championship. Our goal is the same. We’re still going to treat qualifying like all the bonus points matter because even if it doesn’t get us first place, maybe it’s a bonus point that gets to second place. We’ll treat everything the exact same way. People may say the pressure off but its’ not because it’s the same level of pressure to win every single race.”
Do you participate in the casino life when you’re in Las Vegas?
“I work too hard for my money to risk it on a bet. Years ago, what little gambling I may have done consisted of $40 of quarters to play video poker for a few hours. That was the price of entertainment for me.”
Are there any places that you and Christine like to like to visit while you’re out there?
“Christine and I are pretty low maintenance people. I would love if I had more time, if I wasn’t working the elevator gig, to be able to go out a day or two early, take her to a show or something like that. The reality is we’re going to drive out there Thursday, probably about lunchtime. We’ll get there late afternoon or early evening and that’s about it. We may get a bite and I might be able to talk her into going to see a movie. I haven’t had my popcorn for a while.”
What is Jack Beckman’s Las Vegas drag racing career before The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
“My history with Vegas goes back before this drag strip. Less than a mile down the road from Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the Las Vegas Speedrome when I was a sportsman racer. I ran a lot of Sportsmen and NHRA Divisional races there. Going to Las Vegas has never been about it being the gambling capital. I was out there racing for 10 years with my friends before I ever did any of the ‘Vegas’ stuff. I just love the atmosphere of going out into the desert, unloading your race car and prepping it to go fast.”
Weekend Appearances
Beckman will be signing autographs Sat., Oct. 31, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display.
Track Schedule
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1 and 3:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by the final two rounds on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 1.
TV Schedule
Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1, followed by eliminations at 5 p.m. ET.
Race Results
| Las Vegas | Race Result | Round by Round Results | Qualified | Event Record |
| 2005 (TF) | 1st round | Lost to Doug Herbert | 11th | 0-1 |
| 2006 (FC) | Winner | Beat Gary Densham, Del Worsham, Tony Bartone, Tommy Johnson Jr. | 4th | 4-1 |
| 2007 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Del Worsham | 5th | 4-2 |
| 2008 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Cruz Pedregon | 11th | 4-3 |
| 2009 (FC) | Runner-up | Beat Mike Neff, Matt Hagan, Del Worsham; lost to Robert Hight | 8th | 7-4 |
| 2010 (FC) | 2nd round | Beat Bob Bode; lost to Ashley Force Hood | 9th | 8-5 |
| 2011 (FC) | 2nd round | Beat John Force; lost to Ron Capps | 8th | 9-6 |
| 2012 (FC) | Runner-up | Beat John Force, Mike Neff, Courtney Force; lost to Ron Capps | 7th | 12-7 |
| 2013 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Bob Tasca, Jeff Arend; lost to Courtney Force | 3rd | 14-8 |
| 2014 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Robert Hight | 6th | 14-9 |
| 2015 (FC) | 2nd round | Beat Tony Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps | 4th | 15-10 |
| 2016 (FC) | 2nd round | Beat Jeff Arend; lost to Courtney Force | 1st | 16-11 |
| 2017 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Jim Campbell, Tommy Johnson Jr.; lost to Matt Hagan | 1st | 18-12 |
| 2018 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Jim Campbell, Courtney Force; lost to J.R. Todd | 3rd | 20-13 |
| 2019 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Terry Haddock, Robert Hight; lost to Jonnie Lindberg | 1st | 22-14 |
| 2020 (FC) | 1st round | Lost to Paul Lee | 10th | 22-15 |
| 2021 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 | Did Not Compete | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2024 (FC) | Semi-finals | Beat Jeff Diehl, Ron Capps; lost to Paul Lee | 2nd | 24-16 |
| 2025 (FC) | 2nd round | Beat Dave Richards; lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 2nd | 25-17 |
Wins: 1 (2006)
No. 1 Qualifiers: 3 (2016, 2017 & 2019)
Event Record: 25-17
2026 Results
| Event | Qualify | Round by Round | Round Record | Points Position |
| Gainesville | 9 | Lost to Jordan Vandergriff | 0-1 | 11 |
| Phoenix | 2 | Lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 0-2 | 10 |
| Pomona1 | 8 | Beat Jim Campbell; lost to J.R. Todd | 1-3 | 10 |
| Charlotte | 6 | Advanced Rounds 1 & 2; runner-up to Ron Capps | 3-4 | 8 |
| Valdosta | 11 | Lost to Matt Hagan | 3-5 | 8 |
| Chicago | 1 | Beat Chris King; lost to Matt Hagan | 4-6 | 8 |
| Maryland | 1 | Beat Joe Morrison, J.R. Todd, Jordan Vandergriff; lost to Austin Prock | 7-7 | 7 |
| Epping | 2 | Beat Phil Burkart Jr., Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Jordán Vandergriff | 11-7 | 5 |
| Bristol | 3 | Beat Jeff Arend; lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 12-8 | 5 |
| Norwalk | 4 | Beat Spencer Hyde, Daniel Wilkerson, Austin Prock; lost to Ron Capps | 15-9 | 4 |
| Sonoma | 2 | Beat Jeff Arend, Cruz Pedregon; lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 17-10 | 3 |
| Seattle | 2 | Beat Tim Gibbons, Cruz Pedregon; lost to Austin Prock | 19-11 | 2 |
| Brainerd | 6 | Lost (DQ) to Chad Green | 19-12 | 5 |
| Indianapolis | 3 | Beat Jeff Arend, Alexis DeJoria, Austin Prock, Matt Hagan | 23-12 | 3 |
| Martin | 2 | Beat Jeff Diehl, Ron Capps; lost to Matt Hagan | 25-13 | 3 |
| Rockingham | 4 | Lost to Daniel Wilkerson | 25-14 | 5 |
| St. Louis | 1 | Beat Dale Creasy Jr., Daniel Wilkerson; lost to Austin Prock | 27-15 | 4 |
| Ennis | 1 | Beat Terry Haddock; lost to Ron Capps | 28-16 | 5 |
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