Stepping in for John Force, Jack Beckman eager for his return in Brainerd
After nearly four years away, Jack Beckman is thrilled to return to Funny Car racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, and he is even more excited with the opportunity in front of him, which begins with this weekend’s 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
Beckman was named the fill-in driver for 16-time Funny Car champion John Force following Force’s crash at Virginia Motorsports Park in late June. Beckman will now pilot the Peak Chevrolet Camaro SS for the final eight races of the 2024 campaign, earning points — and a possible 17th championship — for Force.
The magnitude of the moment isn’t lost on Beckman, a former world champion and 33-time event winner, who is thrilled to get behind the wheel for the first time since 2000 at this weekend’s event in Brainerd.
“Brainerd will mark a literal ‘second chance’ in many ways,” Beckman said. “I am thrilled to be a part of the return of the Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS back to NHRA competition. It has been nearly four years since I made a run that earned championship points, and more than 16 years since driving a Funny Car while also working a full-time job.”
Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) powered to the winner’s circle at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This year, the event will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including eliminations action on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET. It is the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 season, but the first of the year for Beckman, who will start his year sixth in points.
Before the crash, Force had enjoyed a banner year, winning twice and advancing to three final rounds. That gives Beckman confidence knowing the car had been running well, but there’s also a big adjustment from not being in a car for several seasons.
Beckman raced in the car last weekend, which was helpful, and he hopes to use that momentum this weekend in Brainerd.
“We learned a couple things about the car. Remember, John and I don’t weigh the same [and] our driving styles are a little bit different,” Beckman said. “The crew and I are going to have to meld our styles together to where everything is predictable again for them [like] it was when John was driving.
“The biggest thing is now I know how to go home and visualize exactly what this car looks like, feels like, sounds like, and responds like. I’ll be better when we get to Brainerd.”
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.”
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4 and 6:15 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 16 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 17 at noon and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as coverage of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, qualifying action at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, fans can call 866-444-4455.
After winning his long-awaited first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world championship, there’s been no slowing down Top Fuel fan-favorite Doug Kalitta during the 2024 season.
The longtime standout is the points leader with a commanding advantage this year, and he is set to make more history at this weekend’s 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at festive Brainerd International Raceway, becoming the first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to make his 600th career appearance.
Kalitta’s storied career began in 1998, and race No. 600 will come this weekend in Brainerd in his Mac Tools Toyota dragster. All these years later, Kalitta is still going strong, winning three races, advancing to five finals rounds, and qualifying No. 1 five times in 2024 heading into the penultimate race of the regular season.
“It’s been an interesting ride, and I didn’t realize nobody else has made it to 600 [in Top Fuel]. It’s been a cool ride and a great opportunity for me, competing for as long as I have,” Kalitta said. “I still enjoy driving the cars and surrounding myself with great teams and great people. It’s been amazing driving for Connie [Kalitta, team owner], and I’ve been very fortunate to have so many great people around me. I’m still enjoying it, and as long as we can continue to drive up front, that’s what drives me to keep going.”
Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) powered to the winner’s circle at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This year, the event will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including eliminations action on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET. It is the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 season, and Kalitta will attempt to pick up his third career win in Brainerd and first since the 2005 campaign.
The weekend also includes the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge on Saturday in the three Pro categories, though it will mark a rare occasion that Kalitta won’t appear in the bonus race this year. He suffered a surprising first-round loss in Sonoma and will look to get back on track as the Countdown to the Championship playoffs get closer.
That’s where Kalitta got hot a year ago, winning three playoff races to pick up his first world championship, including a winner-take-all final round in Pomona. The team’s momentum is stronger than ever with what has been a brilliant 2024 thus far, but Kalitta knows the challenges will only get more different in the stretch run while facing off against a star-studded lineup that includes Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon, Brown, four-time champ Steve Torrence, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican, Brittany Force, and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.
Kalitta, though, has weathered those challenges this year, proving to be a dynamic duo with standout crew chief Alan Johnson and the rest of his Kalitta Motorsports team. They’ve made a strong impression at nearly every race this year, only losing in the first round on two occasions, but Kalitta hopes there’s no slowing down with this team as he makes his 600th Top Fuel appearance this weekend in Brainerd.
“It’s definitely a dogfight right now,” Kalitta said. “Brainerd is always a great place to go, and I look forward to it every year. It’s always entertaining, and the place is always packed. It’s just one of those very entertaining races to go. It’s just a special place to race. Our car has been running well, and hopefully, we can have another great weekend. It’s been fun to be a part of this, and we’re just keeping our heads down, trying to make it happen. When you catch a wave like this, you want to stay on it as long as you can.”
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4 and 6:15 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 16 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 17 at noon and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as coverage of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, qualifying action at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, fans can call 866-444-4455.
