Not only that, he has family nearby and he's a fan of "the zoo." "Yeah, I like Brainerd," said Beckman, who is in his third full season of pro NHRA competition. "It's not far from where my grandfather grew up on a farm in Montevideo, so I have relatives in the area.

"The atmosphere in Brainerd is so totally unique to that race. There are other races where there are campgrounds and awesome, fun fans, but in Brainerd I swear these people wait for 11-and-a-half months for this event. It's like they put everything into their campsites and their vehicles. They have couches on wheels, they have tractors they tow stuff around with, and it's just amazing to see.

"If you've never been to "the zoo" - you may no want to go after dark - you have to go at least once in your life."

As for competing this weekend and being assured a high spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs that begin for the top 10 in points following the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend, "It's three races left before the Countdown kicks in (Brainerd, Reading, Pa., and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis)," said Beckman from his new home in Norco, Calif. "We're fifth. We're chasing fourth. We want to get back in that fourth spot. I don't think that we're going to get into the top three. Those three (Tony Pedregon, Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood) have distanced themselves a bit, but fourth place is very, very doable for us. And, if we can close out the first part of the season with at least one more win (he's notched two already), I think we're going to be in good shape to retake fourth.

"It's also an opportunity for us to try some tune-up things that might work well for us once the Countdown does start. So, it really would be nice to qualify well on Friday and have the luxury of testing on Saturday. Ultimately, Countdown or no Countdown, we still want to win on Sunday."

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 120,000-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, two semifinal, five quarterfinal and five first-rounds in 15 events
* His 2009 round win-loss record is 20-13
* Qualified No. 8 in 2008 Brainerd, runner-up to Tony Pedregon
* 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 79 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 89-66
* 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: North Hills, 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, Aug. 14 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 2:45 and 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, Aug. 15 - PROFESSIONAL QUALIFYING SESSIONS at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, Aug. 16 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m. FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:
Saturday, Aug. 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Aug. 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Aug. 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of eliminations at 10 p.m. (ET).

Courtesy of Judy Stropus