(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)
His moniker could be changed to "Fast and Quick Jack" after he posted the quickest elapsed time of his career three weeks ago in testing when his Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T tuned by crew chief Rahn Tobler completed a lap in 4.037 seconds at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla.
"I still like 'Fast Jack.' It just sounds better," said Beckman, a Southern California native living in Norco, Calif. "It was nice to run that quick. Now we have to do it when it counts, and I know we can."
Beckman, 45, knows testing milestones don't count officially in the record book.
It would be more meaningful to him if he and his Valvoline NextGen team can match that quick time this week when the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season opens Thursday with the Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.
"Fast Jack" already is in the book for a run more appropriately attached to his nickname. He became the NHRA record-holder for speed when he completed a run last September at 318.99 mph at zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
Records are nice accomplishments but what Beckman and the Valvoline NextGen want most is to win races with their Dodge.
"We came close to winning the championship last year, but Matt had a little better year," Beckman said of Don Schumacher Racing teammate Matt Hagan.
"I know everyone says this but there really are so many good teams and drivers out here that you just can't afford to have the slightest slipup.
"And none are tougher than my teammates."
Beckman won three titles last year in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and finished 72 points behind Hagan, who knocked Beckman out of the NHRA Finals last November in the second round.
At last year's Winternationals, Beckman lost in the first round to Ron Capps, another DSR teammate.
The Winternationals opens Thursday with one round of qualifying followed by a single session on Friday. The last two sessions are Saturday with championship eliminations set for Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment