Third-year Funny Car Racer Taking His Lumps Early in 2009 …

 

 

Where does the time go?

One might find it hard to believe that perennial Funny Car championship contender Jack Beckman is in only his third full season of driving on the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, because he’s left quite a mark on the sport in those forty-nine national events.

The former sportsman world champion has earned six national event wins in 12 final rounds, set two national records (one has since been eclipsed) and finished third in the 2008 point standings. Third-year Funny Car Racer Taking His Lumps Early in 2009 …

 

 

Where does the time go?

One might find it hard to believe that perennial Funny Car championship contender Jack Beckman is in only his third full season of driving on the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, because he’s left quite a mark on the sport in those forty-nine national events.

The former sportsman world champion has earned six national event wins in 12 final rounds, set two national records (one has since been eclipsed) and finished third in the 2008 point standings.

This season is off to a slow start but that’s not a concern for the personality-oriented Beckman, who’s hoping this weekend’s NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park is an eight run weekend.

"We've run OK this year, but we haven't necessarily benefited from any racing luck,” added Beckman, who’s scored one first-round and two quarterfinal finishes so far in 2009. “It's very early in the season and we have plenty of time to get back on our game, but you don't want to let too many races pass you by. And I've said before that there isn't any reason that by the time we leave Vegas (the race immediately following Houston) we shouldn't have a trophy in our hands. Hopefully, it will happen in Houston.

"The bar has been set pretty high with our Don Schumacher Racing team Funny Cars this year. Matt Hagan is coming off a semifinal finish in Gainesville and Ron Capps already has two wins. We want to hold up our end of the deal here."