Beckman is fifth in NHRA season-ending points

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2009 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 6 of 6 in Countdown to 1 playoffs
Round 24 of 24 for season
45th annual AUTO CLUB NHRA FINALS
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona (Calif.)
Nov. 12-15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438;
jstropus@earthlink.net

BECKMAN IS FIFTH IN NHRA SEASON-ENDING POINTS

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2009) - "Fast" Jack Beckman ended a challenging,
roller-coaster of a 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season in
fifth place in the point standings after losing the opening round to Tim
Wilkerson at today's 45th annual NHRA Finals.

A battle for second place in the Funny Car championship began to brew
following Robert Hight's clinching the crown on Saturday. Beckman, driving
the Valvoline Engine Guarantee/Mail Terminal Services Dodge, was one of a
slew of drivers aiming to stand next to Hight at the awards banquet on
Monday night.

Without lane choice as the No. 11 qualifier, Beckman took off at the
starting lights with a slight edge over Wilkerson, but it was Wilkerson
first at the finish line with a 4.126-second lap at 300.86 mph to Beckman's
very close and stout 4.145/306.46. Margin of victory: five feet!

"It's disappointing," said Beckman, of nearby Norco, Calif. "Even without
lane choice our run would have won six or seven of those first-round
match-ups. Unfortunately, no one told Tim Wilkerson that .

"It was another good year; we were in five final rounds and had two wins.
And I think what's going to make the difference for next year is looking at
where our weaknesses are, and figuring out how we can improve those and just
managing each run.

"Usually in the off-season you come up with some theories, you go test them,
and then when it comes to the Winternationals (season-opener), you go to the
combo that you think gives you the best possible chance. We're just going to
have to be intelligent every round of every qualifying session next year
because now they're going to have these bonus points which can completely
change the standings just in qualifying.

"it's really going to throw most of the teams a big curve next year because
you'll have an opportunity for 12 points that never existed before the
Countdown this year.

"I was asked before the season began what our goals were and I said that
we'd like to win a few races and come into Pomona with a shot at the
championship, and we fell a few points shy of that. We won two, we
runnered-up in three, and we came in with a shot at second.

"It's disappointing not to finish second, but how can you be upset with a
car that's run as good as ours? The team chemistry is as strong as ever.
We're just going to dust ourselves off and come back and start with a win
here next year."

FINAL FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS:
1. Robert Hight, 2547
2. Ashley Force Hood, 2481 (runner-up today)
3. Ron Capps, 2433
4. Tim Wilkerson, 2430
5. Jack Beckman, 2406
6. Tony Pedregon, 2403
7. Del Worsham, 2352
8. Bob Tasca III, 2326
9. John Force, 2268
10. Mike Neff, 2235 (winner today)
11. Matt Hagan, 1139
12. Cruz Pedregon, 1103

***