Under a sunny sky and in temperatures in the high 80s, Jack Beckman scorched the track in the final qualifying session for the U.S. Nationals, recording the second-quickest pass of the round of 4.182 seconds at 293.92 mph. His Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps was the quickest, with a 4.173/295.92.
He remained No. 10 on the ladder, but his and the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car crew’s confidence was elevated tenfold.
Beckman’s other passes this weekend were a 4.139/296.44 (No. 3), a 4.181/292.39 (No. 3), a 6.706/190.87, and a 4.163/293.41 (No. 10 and second quickest of that round).
“I have been saying for a couple of races, mistakenly, that when the sun is out we’re a top-five car,” said Beckman, who has the lone DSR1 chassis of the four DSR Funny Car teams, which collected its first win in Reading, Pa, two weeks ago. “What I meant to say is, when the sun’s out we’re a top-three car.
“We’re just getting better and better every race. On warm race tracks we have got such a consistently quick car, and that has always been the goal since we brought (crew chief) Johnny West on board. That’s going to play well for here Monday and it’s going to play well for the next couple of races. Hopefully in that time we can get some cool-weather tests done during qualifying, so we’ll be good for the last couple of races.”
Beckman, No. 9 in the Countdown to 1 standings, could move up the points rankings before the playoffs begin following this event for the top 10 in the final six season events.
He faces Ashley Force in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.
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