BECKMAN COLLECTS NO. 11 IN VEGAS QUALIFYING
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/j_beckman_222014.jpg" alt="j_beckman_222014" align="left"borders="0"/>
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2008) - After the fourth and final qualifying session for the eighth annual Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jack Beckman found himself in somewhat unfamiliar territory: in the bottom half of the 16-car field, in No. 11.
He had qualified the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in the top five in the last three events, but a strong field of 19 cars vying for the top 16 positions here in Las Vegas made it tough for a number of the top contenders to qualify high in the field.
Beckman posted his quickest lap of 4.093 seconds at 300.80 mph in today's third qualifying round. He came close to matching it in the final session, which was held in cloudy conditions, posting a 4.094/301.81.
His other laps were a 4.147/299.46 (No. 8) on Friday, followed by a 4.119/301.40 later that day (No. 12).
"It was a bracket car again," said Beckman. "Not quite as fast as we were looking for on run two and run four, but there's really no downside. We're consistent as heck, we're relatively quick and we've won races looking a lot worse than this in qualifying.
"So, it's going to be awesome. The fan in me can't wait until first round tomorrow."
The opening round of eliminations for No. 2 in Countdown to 1 points Beckman will be pivotal, as he faces Cruz Pedregon, who is No. 3 in points, just 16 behind.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/j_beckman_222014.jpg" alt="j_beckman_222014" align="left"borders="0"/>
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2008) - After the fourth and final qualifying session for the eighth annual Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jack Beckman found himself in somewhat unfamiliar territory: in the bottom half of the 16-car field, in No. 11.
He had qualified the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in the top five in the last three events, but a strong field of 19 cars vying for the top 16 positions here in Las Vegas made it tough for a number of the top contenders to qualify high in the field.
Beckman posted his quickest lap of 4.093 seconds at 300.80 mph in today's third qualifying round. He came close to matching it in the final session, which was held in cloudy conditions, posting a 4.094/301.81.
His other laps were a 4.147/299.46 (No. 8) on Friday, followed by a 4.119/301.40 later that day (No. 12).
"It was a bracket car again," said Beckman. "Not quite as fast as we were looking for on run two and run four, but there's really no downside. We're consistent as heck, we're relatively quick and we've won races looking a lot worse than this in qualifying.
"So, it's going to be awesome. The fan in me can't wait until first round tomorrow."
The opening round of eliminations for No. 2 in Countdown to 1 points Beckman will be pivotal, as he faces Cruz Pedregon, who is No. 3 in points, just 16 behind.
