After almost 4 years away, Jack Beckman is returning to Humorous Automobile racing within the NHRA Mission Meals Drag Racing Collection beginning with this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Worldwide Raceway.
Beckman was named the fill-in driver for 16-time Humorous Automobile champion John Power following Power’s crash at Virginia Motorsports Park in late June. Beckman will drive the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS for the ultimate eight races of the 2024 marketing campaign, incomes factors — and a attainable seventeenth championship — for Power.
The magnitude of the second isn’t misplaced on Beckman, a former world champion and 33-time occasion winner, who’s thrilled to get behind the wheel for the primary time since 2000 at this weekend’s occasion in Brainerd.
“Brainerd will mark a literal ‘second likelihood’ in some ways,” Beckman mentioned. “I’m thrilled to be part of the return of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS again to NHRA competitors. It has been almost 4 years since I made a run that earned championship factors, and greater than 16 years since driving a Humorous Automobile whereas additionally working a full-time job.”
Final season, Antron Brown (High Gas), Ron Capps (Humorous Automobile) and Dallas Glenn (Professional Inventory) powered to the winner’s circle on the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This yr, the occasion will once more be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, together with eliminations motion on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3pm ET. It’s the 14th of 20 races in the course of the 2024 season, however the first of the yr for Beckman, who will begin his yr sixth in factors.
Earlier than the crash, Power had loved a banner yr, profitable twice and advancing to 3 last rounds. That provides Beckman confidence realizing the automobile had been working properly, however there’s additionally an enormous adjustment from not being in a automobile for a number of seasons.
Beckman examined within the automobile final weekend, which was useful, and he hopes to make use of that momentum this weekend in Brainerd.
“We discovered a pair issues in regards to the automobile. Keep in mind, John and I don’t weigh the identical (and) our driving kinds are a little bit bit totally different,” Beckman mentioned. “The crew and I are going to should meld our kinds collectively to the place all the things is predictable once more for them (like) it was when John was driving.
“The most important factor is now I understand how to go residence and visualize precisely what this automobile seems like, seems like, seems like and responds like. I’ll be higher after we get to Brainerd.”
Quick Jack has formally made his first take a look at runs within the PEAK Chevy Camaro SS Humorous Automobile!
Nonetheless surreal and weird to see somebody apart from the boss man on this pit, however we’re proud that it’s a driver who serves the function with as a lot honor as @fastjackbeckman_fc 💪💙@peakauto pic.twitter.com/zv7en3F9EK
— John Power Racing (@JFR_Racing) August 3, 2024
Beckman’s first race again is definitely a riveting story as properly, with the fan-favorite returning for the legendary Power to attempt to assist the long-lasting driver win one other world championship. It’s an inspirational and heart-warming story, and Beckman is raring to profit from it.
He’ll face off towards a loaded Humorous Automobile class that additionally consists of John Power Racing teammate and factors chief Austin Prock, in addition to reigning world champ Matt Hagan, defending occasion winner Capps, J.R. Todd, rookie Daniel Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and Alexis DeJoria. It’s a tricky problem, however Beckman has embraced the second.
“I, together with hundreds of followers in Minnesota, can have John in our hearts this weekend,” Beckman mentioned. “His staff and I’ll do all the things we will to make PEAK, our companions, the followers, and John proud.”
