Wed, 2 Sep 2009, 09:30 PM It's Unfinished Business for '08 Runner-Up at U.S. Nats

Courtesy of Judy Stropus

CLERMONT, Ind. -- For "Fast" Jack Beckman, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car runner-up at last year's U.S. Nationals, this weekend's 55th annual running of the prestigious event is "unfinished business."

Driving the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge for Don Schumacher Racing, Beckman is only in his third full season of competing in the Funny Car category and can boast having won eight times in 15 final rounds so far. The U.S. Nationals is one he'd like to add to that win column.

"A lot of times you'd be pretty pleased to make it into the final round, but to get to the final round in Indy and not win is definitely unfinished business," said Beckman, a two-time titlist this season who's fifth in the standings. He's already clinched a spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, which begin following this weekend's event for the final six races.

"I don't think you want to be at the end of your career and think, God, if we had just won that final round. We're hoping we can fix that right now.

"And, yes, it is just another race in terms of absolute points. But, because of the Countdown, it's a pivotal race for us drivers who are trying to move up in the standings and/or maintain our position.

"We have a great shot at locking in fourth place. Right now we're in fifth, but if we can do well in Indy we can seal fourth place, which is good. Even though NHRA tightens the points up for the playoffs, every 10 points means a lot at the end of the year." Each of the top 10 in points is separated by 10 markers going into the playoffs, with the exception of the leader, who earns an extra 20 points. Entering this weekend's event, Beckman is 12 points short of fourth place.

"The U.S. Nationals is not just another race because we get another time trial. We get five shots instead of the normal four," he added.

"It's not just another race because we get two night sessions here instead of the typical zero or one.

"I don't think there's anything about it that people could say it's just another race. However, we have to think of it as another race and not get caught up in the hype so that we can go out there and do our jobs and have the best chance of getting into the winner's circle."

Mail Terminal Services continues its popular "Mail From Home" campaign in 2009, supporting the U.S. troops serving in the war zones. In the past two NHRA seasons the campaign has sent over 195,000 post cards overseas signed by fans and supporters at each NHRA national event with messages of support for the troops, along with numerous NHRA National Dragster issues and other automotive magazines. Photos of cars and drivers were also included.

In 2009 the "Mail From Home" program has been challenged to exceed the previous records of cards distributed to hit a 125,000-card record for one season.

JACK BECKMAN QUICK FACTS:
* No. 5 in 2009 Funny Car standings, after two victories (Atlanta; Norwalk, Ohio), one runner-up, three semifinal, five quarterfinal and six first-rounds in 17 events
* Is 12 points short of fourth place
* His 2009 round win-loss record is 22-15
* Qualified No. 10 at 2009 U.S. Nationals, was runner-up to Robert Hight
* No. 3 in 2008 Funny Car point standings, with three victories - Phoenix, Reading, Concord - in seven final rounds
* Was bumped out of the 2007 Countdown to Four playoffs standings at the Richmond, Va., event, after his teammates Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps reached the semifinal round. Ended the season No. 5 in points
* In his 81 national events in Top Fuel and Funny Car, he has won eight times in 15 final rounds (all in Funny Car), and has a career round win-loss record of 91-68
* Is the 2007 U.S. Smokeless Showdown winner ($100,000 bonus event held at U.S. Nationals)
* Set national elapsed-time record of 4.662 seconds and national speed record of 333.66 mph at final 2006 event in Pomona, Calif. The ET record has since been eclipsed. Beckman still holds the speed record
* As a Funny Car rookie in the last five races of 2006, he qualified No. 1 once (Pomona 2), reached two final rounds (Las Vegas 2 and Pomona 2), won once (Vegas 2), and set both ends of the national record (Pomona 2)
* Residence: Norco, Calif.
* Hometown: Granada Hills, Calif.
* Date of birth: June 28, 1966
* Married, Jenna (wedding date 11/7/06), son Jason Russell (3/8/07)
* Height/weight: 6'0", 185 lbs.
* Former instructor and current consultant at Frank Hawley's NHRA Championship Drag Racing School; former Sergeant in U.S. Air Force (1984-88); cancer survivor; licensed in nine different NHRA categories
* First Start in TF: Las Vegas 1 2005
* First Start in FC: , Dallas, Texas, 2006
* Competed in only 12 TF events in 2005, ended season 15th in points
* Career-best FC (quarter-mile) elapsed time: 4.662 seconds (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best FC (quarter-mile) speed: 333.66 mph (Pomona 2 '06)
* Career-best TF (quarter-mile) elapsed time: 4.563 seconds (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* Career-best (quarter-mile) TF speed: 324.28 mph (TF, Brainerd 2005)
* In 2003 won Super Comp world championship in Lucas Oil Series and Division 7 Super Comp championship
* Leads 14-time champion John Force in head-to-head round wins: 9-5

SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, Sept. 4 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSION at 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 5 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at Noon and 5:45 p.m.
RINGERS GLOVES PRO BIKE BATTLE at 1:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 6 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
MONDAY, Sept. 7 - Pre-race ceremonies, 9:30 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours and 30 minutes of qualifying coverage at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Sept. 6, ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 5 p.m. (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise a special one hour NHRA Race Day from the U.S. Nationals at noon (ET).
Monday, Sept. 7, ESPN2 HD will televise five hours of eliminations coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).

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