BECKMAN GOES TO QUARTERFINALS IN E-TOWN
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 24, 2007) - Jack Beckman is racking up the points towards a berth in the Countdown to the Championship. After two straight semifinal finishes in Topeka and Chicago, Beckman scored a quarterfinal result today at the ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
However, with a cluster of drivers around him in the standings vying for the same position (No. 8) Beckman fell to 10th when Tommy Johnson Jr., 11th in points, won today's event and moved into No. 8. Jeff Arend, another contender, scored a semifinal finish and also moved ahead into ninth. Beckman is now just six points behind Arend and nine points back of Johnson.
Beckman opened the Funny Car eliminations round with a solid victory over Del Worsham, posting a 4.942-second pass at 309.70 mph on a hot and sticky surface over Worsham's 7.124/120.78.
In the second round Beckman faced Johnson Jr., who made it to the line in time after his team scurried to repair a scorched car following a fierce fire in his winning opening round. It was close, but the win light went to Johnson, who beat the driver of the Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T with a 4.914/309.84 to Beckman's losing 4.976/304.80.
"The MTS Dodge did everything that we wanted it to," said Beckman. "Tommy did an outstanding job of getting back up there and running a great number. Our goal was to go down the race track with a solid 4.90 pass and we did that.
"Nobody is second guessing our approach. That is exactly the philosophy that's going to win races during this hot summer swing. My hat is off to Tommy and his guys for doing what they did against us, and for winning the event. But with the philosophy that we've got, and our hot-weather track tune-up, we're marching in the right direction.
"We've won rounds the last three races out, and that's something not a lot of Funny Car teams can say, and we've qualified. In this next five-race swing, the goal is to qualify for every single race, and winning the first round is absolutely critical right now.
"If we keep doing what we're doing, we're going to win a race or two by the end of the swing."
Next up is the inaugural Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 28-July 1.
FUNNY CAR POINTS:
1. Ron Capps, 786
2. Robert Hight, 663
3. Gary Scelzi, 585
4. Tony Pedregon, 560 (runner-up today)
5. Jim Head, 542
6. Mike Ashley, 522
7. Ashley Force, 443
8. Tommy Johnson Jr., 428 (winner today)
9. Jeff Arend, 425
10. Jack Beckman, 419
11. Del Worsham, 413
