Jack Beckman has released a complicated statement about his past connection with John Force that has got so many tongues wagging.
Jack Beckman is thrilled to be back in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series after almost four years away.
He is even more excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of him, which gets underway this weekend at Brainerd International Raceway with the 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. After 16-time Funny Car champion John Force crashed at Virginia Motorsports Park in late June, Beckman was assigned to drive in for him.
For the remaining eight races of the 2024 season, Beckman will now drive the Peak Chevrolet Camaro SS, accumulating points and maybe leading Force to its 17th championship.
A 33-time race winner and former world champion, Beckman understands the significance of the occasion and is excited to drive at this weekend’s event in Brainerd for the first time since 2000. According to Beckman,
“Brainerd will signify a true’second chance’ in many ways.” “I am ecstatic to be involved in the Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS’s return to NHRA competition.”
More than 16 years have passed since I drove a Funny Car while holding down a full-time job, and over 4 years have passed since I made a run that garnered championship points.
At the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals last season, Top Fuel drivers Antron Brown, Funny Car driver Ron Capps, and Pro Stock driver Dallas Glenn all made it to the winner’s circle.
The event will once more be televised on FS1 and FOX this year. On Sunday, August 18 at 3 p.m. ET, FOX will feature the elimination round.
Although it is the first race of the year for Beckman, who will begin the 2024 season sixth in points, it is the fourteenth of the twenty races in the season. Force had had an incredible year, winning twice and making it to three final rounds, prior to the collision.
Knowing the car has been performing well provides Beckman confidence, but getting back into a car after being out of one for several seasons is a significant adjustment.
It helped that Beckman raced the vehicle the previous weekend, and he intends to build on that success this coming weekend in Brainerd.
“We discovered a few more details regarding the vehicle. Recall that John and I have different weight ranges and somewhat different driving tendencies,” Beckman remarked.
“The crew and I will need to combine our methods so that for them, everything will once again be predictable, just way it was when John was operating the vehicle.
The most important thing is that I can now imagine exactly how this car feels, looks, sounds, and behaves when I get home. When we get to Brainerd, I’ll be better.
Beckman’s first race back is certainly a riveting story as well, with the fan favorite returning for the legendary Force to try and help the iconic driver win another world championship. It’s an inspirational and heart-warming story, and Beckman is eager to make the most of it.
He’ll face off against a loaded Funny Car class that also includes John Force
Racing teammate and points leader Austin Prock, as well as reigning world champ Matt Hagan, defending event winner Capps, J.R. Todd, rookie
Daniel Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon, and Alexis DeJoria. It’s a tough challenge, but Beckman has embraced the moment.
“I, along with thousands of fans in Minnesota, will have John in our hearts this weekend,” Beckman said.
“His team and I will do everything we can to make Peak, our partners, the fans, and John proud
