Beckman continues on learning curve for Richmond
DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 21 of 23
TORCO RACING FUELS NHRA NATIONALS
Virginia Motorsports Park
Dinwiddie, Va.
Race Date: Oct. 6-8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net
BECKMAN CONTINUES ON LEARNING CURVE FOR RICHMOND
DINWIDDIE, Va. (Oct. 3, 2006) - Jack Beckman is continuing on his Funny Car
learning curve as he heads to the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals this
weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park and his third career Funny Car event.
Beckman replaced Whit Bazemore following the U.S. Nationals in the Matco
Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger R/T and is improving every round as he makes
the transition from having last raced in the Top Fuel class on a limited
basis to the Funny Car category. He's already made a huge leap by posting a
solid Funny Car career-best 4.756-second pass at 325.45 mph in Reading, Pa.,
last weekend, out-qualifying veterans such as John Force, Cruz Pedregon and
eventual event winner Phil Burkart Jr. He also ran quicker than his
first-round opponent Force, but lost to the 13-time champion on a holeshot
advantage in eliminations.
Weather has been the No. 1 topic of conversation even for Richmond since the
teams had to return to Reading last weekend following a washout two weeks
before, delaying Beckman's debut from the first Reading event until Dallas
Sept. 22.
"I hope it is good weather in Richmond because we're still on the early part
of the learning curve," says Beckman, who also serves as an instructor at
Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School. "I've really only had
seven full passes in the Matco Tools Dodge, and I don't know what the magic
number is, but I imagine it's 25 to 30 runs to the finish line before you're
ever getting remotely caught up with the race car.
"I'd like to be there before the end of the season, and with only three
races left, we need all of the qualifying passes we can get.
"The seat time at this point in my Funny Car career is my No. 1 priority.
Having these three races back-to-back-to-back is very helpful. I get to play
back the runs and watch them on TV, then hop right back into the car."
The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series has not competed at VMP since 2000. "I
think that since nobody has any computer data from here, it will very much
favor the multi-car teams," says Beckman. "I think it will be a big benefit
to teams like Don Schumacher Racing that will have three or four shots at
the track each qualifying session.
"These tracks are all green to me at this point, but maybe being new to
some of the other drivers, it will level the playing field a little bit, and
we can put on a strong performance for the Matco Tools team and the 1500
Matco Tools distributors that pull for us every weekend."
JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* Residence: North Hills, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Engaged, Jenna
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Serves as instructor at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing
School and has taught over 6,000 students since 1998; former Sergeant in
U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA
categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best FC elapsed time: 4.756 seconds (Reading '06)
* Career-best FC speed: 325.45 mph (Reading '06)
* Career-best TF elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and
Division 7 Super Comp championship
WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Oct. 6 - Professional Qualifying Sessions at 3 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 7 Professional Qualifying Sessions at noon and 3 p.m.
SUNDAY, Oct. 8 Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 11
a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, Oct. 7, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying
highlights at 10 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 7, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute
magazine show at 12:30 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 8, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations
at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Oct. 6, 9-9:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30-8 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Sunday, Oct. 8, 7-7:30 p.m. (ET) SBS 6, Transponder 16K (12092.5 MHz,
Vertical)
Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro
Stock, plus interviews with qualifying leaders on Saturday and winners on
Sunday.
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