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CONCORD, N. C. --
The points leader gets a 30-point cushion over the next driver, but being in the top spot also means nine other standout drivers are doing everything they can to chase you down. But at least in this instance, Beckman, who has six victories this year in his 10,000-horsepower Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T, doesn't mind the added pressure if it puts him one step closer to a second Funny Car world championship. "You could argue that there's less pressure if you're doing the chasing, but I'll take the points lead any day of the week," said Beckman, who won the Funny Car world title in 2012. "Give me the added pressure any day of the week in this situation. You shouldn't change anything about the way you drive. The reason you got the lead was because you didn't play defense and were aggressive. "You have six events (in the Countdown), so that's a max of 24 rounds. If you lose early at one, those are rounds you can't go to. You might be okay but I don't think so in this class. There are so many quality cars out there. Every run at every race is important." Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Matt Hagan (Funny Car); Jonathan Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year's winners of the playoff opener. ESPN2 will provide national television coverage of the NHRA Carolina Nationals. The event, which has kicked off the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoff since 2007, provides a great chance for a contender to jumpstart a chase toward a world championship. For Beckman, it's all about strengthening a points lead and continuing a dominant stretch that has included unbelievable runs over the last several races.
"Jimmy Prock said after we won Sonoma that maybe we should have waited until Indy to make these changes," Beckman said. "Maybe we tipped our hand early but the reality is we didn't know if all these things were going to work. We had to do it as soon as possible. We found about 15 small areas that each gave us a few thousandths (of a second) improvement. Now we have to work just as hard to keep that advantage." It's going to be difficult - not that Beckman expects anything less - as the class made considerable strides, with Hagan going a blistering 3.879 in Brainerd that wasn't able to be backed up for a world record. Hagan, the defending world champion, did set a speed world record with his pass of 329.58 mph, but Beckman didn't disappoint, either, running the 3.901 and also a 3.903. "In the last five races I've never seen so many cars gain so much performance in such a short amount of time," Beckman said. "Being the leading force in this renaissance has been one of the most satisfying things I've done in my career. The other has been closing out the deal six times this year. We're at six and I'm pretty sure we're not done. Even after the DNQ in Pomona (to start the season), I knew we had all the potential, parts and people to make this a championship-caliber team."
The good news for Beckman is a strong track record in Charlotte that includes three wins and the comfort of racing at a facility he has always enjoyed. There isn't much time to unwind after a grueling weekend during the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, but Beckman will be eager to jump right into the Countdown opener at zMAX Dragway. "There's six races left and it's all about striving for perfection," Beckman said. "I love (zMAX Dragway). It is the most state-of-the-art facility we go to and they treat everyone like kings there. There is just an aura about that place, and everything is so professional and first class." Last year, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, the current Top Fuel points leader, opened the Countdown with back-to-back victories, propelling him to his eighth world championship and first since 2009. Other drivers to watch in the star-studded class include Antron Brown, Larry Dixon, Richie Crampton, Shawn Langdon, Brittany Force and teammates J.R. Todd and Doug Kalitta. Pro Stock points leader and reigning world champion Erica Enders, who has six wins this season, will have her hands full dealing with challenges from four-time world champion and four-time 2015 winner Greg Anderson, his teammate Jason Line, two-time 2015 event winner Chris McGaha, Allen Johnson, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray and veteran driver Larry Morgan, who won the Four-Wide Nationals here in April.
Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Series also will look to become winners of the thrilling event during the weekend. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 18, with sessions at 3:15 and 5:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 12:45 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for Noon on Sunday, Sept. 20. NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday at 2:30 and 5 p.m. with one final qualifying session on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. The first round will begin on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and continue on Sunday. Fans can be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $99. Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com or call the box office at (800) 455-FANS (3267). Before the NHRA Mello Yello Series arrives in North Carolina for the NHRA Carolina Nationals and the Countdown to the Championship, the circuit will close the regular season with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, Sept. 2-7, for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Keep up with all the action on ESPN and ESPN2.
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