Beckman wins his first of year in Phoenix

DON SCHUMACHER RACING
2010 NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Round 2 of 23
26th annual NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS
Firebird International Raceway
Chandler, Ariz.
Feb. 19-21, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

BECKMAN WINS HIS FIRST OF YEAR IN PHOENIX

CHANDLER, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2010) - In a rain-delayed Monday race at the 26th
annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, ³Fast² Jack Beckman collected his ninth NHRA
Full Throttle Drag Racing Series national-event win in his 18th career final
round, by outpacing 14-time John Force in the final round.

Driving the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger Funny Car,
honoring the U.S. Troops overseas with its ³To Afghanistan With Love² theme,
Beckman produced a stellar run of 4.121 seconds at 301.13 mph to defeat
Forceıs tire-smoking 6.316/106.24, earning his first win of the 2010 season
and his second at this venue (2008).

³I always wondered what it was like for the pro drivers who won a delayed
race and nobody was in the stands,² said Beckman, who is now second in the
point standings. ³You like to get that fan fare of everybody cheering when
youıre coming back down the return road. That is an irreplaceable feeling.
We didnıt have that today.

³This victory was special for a couple of reasons. We overcame a lot of
adversity this weekend, we weathered the storm and beat John Force in the
final. 

³It was a very tragic weekend and our hearts go out to the family who lost
their loved one on Sunday. Itıs very difficult for all the racers when
something like that happens. To overcome the heavy emotions that go with
that and have all the guys go out and do their jobs perfectly is amazingly
rewarding.

³And then to be able to keep our focus during all these delays, and there
were lots and lots of delays. It was not just yesterday, but today as well.
And to be able to beat John Force when John is back in his prime, was also
rewarding. 

³Some have argued that he has spread himself too thin the last few years and
perhaps he wasnıt the same as that John Force that dominated for so long. I
think car-wise and driver-wise heıs back at the top of his game. So, for us
to go out there and beat him when that team has been running so well, I
think weıre making a statement and making it early.²

Next up is the 41st annual NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March
13-15, 2010.

UNOFFICIAL FUNNY CAR POINT STANDINGS, AFTER TWO EVENTS, as of 2/22/10:

1. John Force, 224 (runner-up today)
2. Jack Beckman, 187 (winner today)
3. Ron Capps, 148
4. Robert Hight, 121
5. Matt Hagan, 120
6. Ashley Force Hood, 111
7. Bob Tasca III, 111
8. Tony Pedregon, 104
9. Del Worsham, 97
10. Jim Head, 86

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