Mopar-Powered Beckman is Runner-up in Vegas
Jack Beckman and the Mopar HEMI-powered Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car team endured a series of mishaps, mechanical problems and parts damage to end up in their fifth final round of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, before bowing out to Robert Hight. It also marked the 17th final of Beckman's career, and his second at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
No. 8 qualifier Beckman dismissed Mike Neff and his Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teammate Matt Hagan, then survived a .006 reaction time by Del Worsham in the semifinal round to his .083 (.000 is perfect). Beckman crossed the finish line first with a 4.359/262.90 winning pass. Beckman next faced arguably the hottest car/driver combination in the class in the finals, and took off first with a .058 reaction time to Hight's .075. It was oh-so-close, but Hight nipped Beckman at the finish stripe by .0127 of a second (or six feet) to claim the win with a 4.125/304.46 to Beckman's 4.154/303.16.
"We have nothing but positive to take from this," said Beckman. "I know our Valvoline/MTS guys are frustrated, but they performed the best recovery of the day to put this car down the track quickly in the final."
Beckman is now fourth in the Countdown to 1 standings, with DSR teammate Ron Capps fifth after a second-round loss today. Next up for the Mopar-powered DSR trio is the final race of the season, the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, Nov. 12–15, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif. For more information on the NHRA, log on to http://www.nhra.com.