Zach Beard, a David Powers Motorsports development driver, will make his NHRA driving debut at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, June 13-15, at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. Beard will pilot the Randy Meyer Racing A/FD in the Top Alcohol dragster category.

“I’m extremely excited to make my NHRA racing debut,” Beard said. “I’ve grown up around the sport and feel fortunate to learn from a past champion like Randy Meyer. It’s a great feeling to start my drag racing career at a first-class facility like Route 66 Raceway.”

Beard, 17, earned his NHRA Super Comp and Top Alcohol dragster license on March 17 behind the wheel of Meyer’s rail at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway. The Covenant Christian Academy student has competed in karting since 2005 when he earned the SIRA championship and Rookie of the Year honors. Beard posted top five finishes in the nation racing in the Stars of Karting Series presented by IRL in 2006 and ’07.

The younger Beard is no stranger to the quarter mile. His father, Lee, is a championship crew chief and one of the most successful tuners in NHRA drag racing having tuned 10 different Top Fuel and Funny Car racers to 53 NHRA victories. Lee Beard currently serves as the crew chief for NHRA Top Fuel racer Antron Brown. Brown drives the Matco Tools dragster and has two wins this season and currently ranks second in the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel standings.

“One of our goals at DPM is to have Zach (Beard) driving a Top Fuel car,” Lee Beard said. “We have been motivated to follow in the direction that John Medlen and his son Eric had taken. They were a tremendous inspiration to both Zach and me.”

The Randy Meyer Racing dragster won the NHRA Lucas Oil championship in 2003 with Alan Bradshaw behind the wheel. Gary Ormsby, Jr. piloted the first Top Alcohol dragster in the 5.1-second range with a 5.13-second pass in 2002. The team also won the NHRA Division 5 title in 2004-‘06. The Olathe, Kan.-based team has earned numerous NHRA awards and honors.