<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/J_Beckman.jpg" alt="J_Beckman" align="right"borders="0"/>
Beckman's been hot this season, especially when it counted. In the last 11 races, he jumped from 10th, to eighth, to seventh, to fifth and into second in the Countdown to Four playoffs. Coming into this weekend's final event to name the four to compete in the Countdown to One, Beckman stands third in the rankings. He knows well the importance of a good result this weekend.
"I think it's pretty cool having this playoff format," said Beckman, a two-time winner this season. "Technically our strategy doesn't change. We race to win every race. That being said, if you're one of the top eight, and fighting for a spot in the top four, everything this weekend is based on how you do relative to the other cars that are vying for those four positions.
"And I think most people would agree that, if given the choice of winning the race versus making the Countdown to One, this might be the first time in history that somebody would say that winning the race is the battle but not the war.
"Coming into a track that the NHRA cars have only run once since 2000, which could be markedly different than it was last year, is going to be very, very interesting. It means that we have the potential of basically not having a whole lot of usable data. And I think a lot of the crew chiefs are going to have to make the tune-up calls more by feel than by going over past notes.
"So, it really seems like a strategic weekend and, that being said, we just want to go win the race. That will guarantee we stay in the top four."
As for fourth-place John Force's absence this weekend while he recovers from injuries sustained in a crash at the last event in Dallas, "Force is superman," said Beckman. "This has reinforced that to a lot of us other racers. He's absolutely superman. There was talk of him trying to come back to race this season. I think John needs to heal completely to come back to challenge again for another championship. I think that's more important than trying to rush to get back into the car. Obviously, we want him to recover as close to 100 percent and come back and race with us. And that might mean it's a better idea to take two or three months off to recuperate."
FUNNY CAR COUNTDOWN TO FOUR POINT STANDINGS ENTERING VIRGINIA (wins in parentheses):
1. Tony Pedregon, Detroit, Q Horsepower Chevy Impala (3) 2259 (+71)
2. Robert Hight, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang (2) 2243 (+55)
3. Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., MTS Dodge Charger (2) 2213 (+25)
4. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (3) 2191 (+3)
5. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Brut Dodge Charger R/T (3) 2188 (-3)
6. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger (3) 2186 (-5)
7. Mike Ashley, New York, Torco/Skull Gear Dodge Charger (3) 2176 (-15)
JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* Third in the Countdown to Four playoffs standings, following a quarterfinal finish at the U.S. Nationals, a runner-up finish in Memphis and a first-round loss in Dallas. This weekend's event is the last of the four to determine the final four who race for the Countdown to One
* Earned No. 5 in 2007 NHRA Countdown to the Championship points (for the top eight), with back-to-back season victories in Denver and Seattle, in two final rounds.
* With three races remaining in 2007, Beckman has reached three final rounds
* In Richmond last year, Beckman qualified No. 9, lost second round to Eric Medlen
* Also has three semifinal finishes, five quarterfinal finishes and two DNQs
* Set national elapsed-time record of 4.662 seconds and national speed record of 333.66 mph at final 2006 event in Pomona, Calif. The ET record has since been eclipsed. Beckman still holds the speed record
* As a Funny Car rookie in the last five races of 2006, he qualified No. 1 once (Pomona 2), reached two final rounds (Las Vegas 2 and Pomona 2), won once (Vegas), and set both ends of the national record (Pomona 2)
* Residence: North Hills, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Married, Jenna (wedding date 11/7/06), son Jason Russell (3/8/07)
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Serves as instructor at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School and has taught over 6,000 students since 1998; former Sergeant in U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* First Start in FC: , Dallas, Texas, 2006
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best FC elapsed time: 4.662 seconds (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best FC speed: 333.66 mph (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best TF elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and Division 7 Super Comp championship
* Has a round-winning record against 14-time NHRA champion John Force: 4-3
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 5 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3:30 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 6, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 5, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Saturday, Oct. 6, 6:45 - 7:15 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Sunday, Oct. 7, 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on Sunday.
FOR BECKMAN, RICHMOND IS A STRATEGIC RACE
NORTH HILLS, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2007) - Jack Beckman and the Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team are ready for the battle at this weekend's Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park as they aim to win the war in their first full season in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.Beckman's been hot this season, especially when it counted. In the last 11 races, he jumped from 10th, to eighth, to seventh, to fifth and into second in the Countdown to Four playoffs. Coming into this weekend's final event to name the four to compete in the Countdown to One, Beckman stands third in the rankings. He knows well the importance of a good result this weekend.
"I think it's pretty cool having this playoff format," said Beckman, a two-time winner this season. "Technically our strategy doesn't change. We race to win every race. That being said, if you're one of the top eight, and fighting for a spot in the top four, everything this weekend is based on how you do relative to the other cars that are vying for those four positions.
"And I think most people would agree that, if given the choice of winning the race versus making the Countdown to One, this might be the first time in history that somebody would say that winning the race is the battle but not the war.
"Coming into a track that the NHRA cars have only run once since 2000, which could be markedly different than it was last year, is going to be very, very interesting. It means that we have the potential of basically not having a whole lot of usable data. And I think a lot of the crew chiefs are going to have to make the tune-up calls more by feel than by going over past notes.
"So, it really seems like a strategic weekend and, that being said, we just want to go win the race. That will guarantee we stay in the top four."
As for fourth-place John Force's absence this weekend while he recovers from injuries sustained in a crash at the last event in Dallas, "Force is superman," said Beckman. "This has reinforced that to a lot of us other racers. He's absolutely superman. There was talk of him trying to come back to race this season. I think John needs to heal completely to come back to challenge again for another championship. I think that's more important than trying to rush to get back into the car. Obviously, we want him to recover as close to 100 percent and come back and race with us. And that might mean it's a better idea to take two or three months off to recuperate."
FUNNY CAR COUNTDOWN TO FOUR POINT STANDINGS ENTERING VIRGINIA (wins in parentheses):
1. Tony Pedregon, Detroit, Q Horsepower Chevy Impala (3) 2259 (+71)
2. Robert Hight, Anaheim Hills, Calif., Auto Club Ford Mustang (2) 2243 (+55)
3. Jack Beckman, North Hills, Calif., MTS Dodge Charger (2) 2213 (+25)
4. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX High-Mileage Ford Mustang (3) 2191 (+3)
5. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Brut Dodge Charger R/T (3) 2188 (-3)
6. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger (3) 2186 (-5)
7. Mike Ashley, New York, Torco/Skull Gear Dodge Charger (3) 2176 (-15)
JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* Third in the Countdown to Four playoffs standings, following a quarterfinal finish at the U.S. Nationals, a runner-up finish in Memphis and a first-round loss in Dallas. This weekend's event is the last of the four to determine the final four who race for the Countdown to One
* Earned No. 5 in 2007 NHRA Countdown to the Championship points (for the top eight), with back-to-back season victories in Denver and Seattle, in two final rounds.
* With three races remaining in 2007, Beckman has reached three final rounds
* In Richmond last year, Beckman qualified No. 9, lost second round to Eric Medlen
* Also has three semifinal finishes, five quarterfinal finishes and two DNQs
* Set national elapsed-time record of 4.662 seconds and national speed record of 333.66 mph at final 2006 event in Pomona, Calif. The ET record has since been eclipsed. Beckman still holds the speed record
* As a Funny Car rookie in the last five races of 2006, he qualified No. 1 once (Pomona 2), reached two final rounds (Las Vegas 2 and Pomona 2), won once (Vegas), and set both ends of the national record (Pomona 2)
* Residence: North Hills, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Married, Jenna (wedding date 11/7/06), son Jason Russell (3/8/07)
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Serves as instructor at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School and has taught over 6,000 students since 1998; former Sergeant in U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* First Start in FC: , Dallas, Texas, 2006
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best FC elapsed time: 4.662 seconds (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best FC speed: 333.66 mph (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best TF elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and Division 7 Super Comp championship
* Has a round-winning record against 14-time NHRA champion John Force: 4-3
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 5 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3:30 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 7 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 6, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 7 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 5, 9 - 9:30 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Saturday, Oct. 6, 6:45 - 7:15 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Sunday, Oct. 7, 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. (ET) – Galaxy 11, Transponder 15K (12003 MHz, Horizontal)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on Sunday.
