Jack Beckman got on the board in 2017 during the NHRA Summernationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, becoming the sixth Mopar HEMI®-powered Nitro driver from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) to win an event this year. The 2012 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion put his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T in the winner’s circle for the first time this season and the 25th time in his Funny Car career.

(Fast Jack Beckman won for the 25th time in his fuel FC racing career)

The win also extended a winning streak for Nitro cars featuring Mopar HEMI power to a staggering 11 in a row, stretching back to the season-ending NHRA Finals at Pomona more than six months ago. With Beckman’s win, Mopar DSR teams now claim the top three spots in the Funny Car point standings, and at least one Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car has appeared in every final round but one to date in 2017.

“Fast” Jack Beckman defeated his teammate Ron Capps’ Dodge Charger R/T with a pass of 4.100 seconds at 312.42 mph from the left lane in the final round to just better Capps’ lap of 4.143 at 299.66. Beckman’s reaction time was .081 to Capps’ .088 off the line.

Beckman, whose team underwent a number of personnel changes in the offseason, used a little bit of luck and a whole lot of HEMI power on a very hot day on the way to his first prestigious NHRA Summernationals win. He first took down fellow Dodge competitor Jim Campbell in round one as Campbell struggled to get down track. Beckman then beat Cruz Pedregon by .001 as both cars labored and lost cylinders on their way to the finish line in the second round. Beckman next caught a lucky break in the semifinals as his car went up in smoke and he was forced to coast to the line, but his opponent Courtney Force turned on the red light, giving the win to and a place in the final round to Beckman, albeit without lane choice.

Courtney Force qualified #1 with and set low ET – but had a red-light in the semi final round.

Event Essentials:   NHRA Summer Nationals (June 9-11th, 2017) 

John Force’s half track antics eliminated him on Sunday

New England’s Bob Tasca III ran this great new look on his Mustang at E-Town

Posted by Dan Hodgdon

Photos by Dave DeAngelis and Steve Embling

To view even more E-Town Funny Car Photos – visit our event photo gallery:  HERE