| Photo Credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 27, 2024) – He’s not the defending champion at the U.S. Nationals, but Jack Beckman did win it the last time he was in it, which is a source of considerable optimism as the 2012 World Champion climbs back into the seat of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS to compete in this week’s 70th renewal of drag racing’s biggest single event. “The last year I raced, the world was falling apart,” Beckman said of a 2020 season heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “There were four national events at Indy (that year) but only one U.S. Nationals – and I left with the trophy.” A two-time U.S. Nationals champion and three-time runner-up, Beckman beat then teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final round at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Sept. 6, 2020. Two months later, both were out of a job, victimized by the bane of all big-time auto racers, loss of sponsorship. “Fast forward four years and now I am strapped into a Chevy Camaro that I think is the baddest race car in the pits,” said the 58-year-old who overcame cancer to become an NHRA World Champion in two different categories (he was the Super Comp champion in 2003). “I’m driving for the coolest car owner at the biggest race of the year (and) I think we have a realistic shot at winning ‘The Big Go’ for PEAK and John Force.” That he is back in an elite car at the most prestigious event on the planet is a bit surreal to the 33-time Funny Car winner who got an opportunity he never expected after Force, the 16-time World Champion and 157-time race winner, suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) in a June 23 crash at Richmond, Va. At the time of the accident, Beckman was working as an elevator repairman, the same job he left in 1998 to work for the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School. It’s a day job to which he will return on Tuesday. In the meantime, he’ll focus all his attention on the little side hustle he’s been able to put together: earning Mission Foods championship points on Force’s behalf. In his first race in that capacity, the longtime driving instructor qualified a solid sixth, won his first round race and, in so doing, earned enough points to move Force from sixth to fifth in the driver standings. The challenge this week will be to maintain position, which could be significant when points are adjusted for the start of the six-race Countdown to the Championship. * * * * 70th U.S. NATIONALS SCHEDULE Friday, August 30Nitro qualifying, session #1, 8 p.m., EDT.Saturday, August 31Nitro qualifying session #2, 1 p.m., EDT; nitro qualifying session #3, 3:30 p.m., EDTSunday, Sept. 1Nitro qualifying session #4, 1:20 p.m., EDT; Nitro qualifying session #5, 3:30 p.m., EDTMonday, Sept. 2First round eliminations, 10:00 a.m., EDT JFR ON FS1 and FOX Broadcast Network Sunday, Sept. 1Qualifying show #1, 1-3 p.m., EDT, on FS1Qualifying show #2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., EDT on FS1Monday, Sept. 2Opening rounds of eliminations, 12 noon-2 p.m., EDT, on FS1Coverage of final rounds, 2-5 p.m., EDT, on FOX |
