Funny Car’s Jack Beckmen Focused on First Win for Force Heading to NHRA Midwest Nationals

ST. LOUIS, – September 26, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – It’s been a great return to the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series for Funny Car fan-favorite Jack Beckman, who took over driving duties for legendary driver John Force in Brainerd following Force’s June crash.

He’ll head to World Wide Technology Raceway for the first time in four years, full of excitement to race at this weekend’s 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals. Beckman has enjoyed a strong playoff run thus far, advancing to the finals in Reading and the semifinals in Charlotte, sitting third in points as he tries to win a 17th championship for the iconic Force.

In fact, the only thing left for Beckman to do is to win a race in the 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS – well, and beat points leader and John Force Racing teammate Austin Prock, too.

Prock has continued his dominant 2024 season in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, winning the first two playoff races and stretching his winning streak to three races. He’s knocked off Beckman in the finals and semifinals at the playoff stops, but the good news for both is JFR continues to impress at the most important time of the year.

“I think everything has gone well for us,” Beckman said. “Austin is the guy with the target is on his back and what they’re doing this year has just been dominant. What they’ve done is unprecedented. We’ve done a good job and went rounds, but we’ve lost points to the one car we’re chasing for a championship.

“All of us are up for the challenge and (we’re) planning to showcase that this weekend in St Louis. This PEAK Chevy team has earned bonus points in eight straight qualifying runs, and 11 of the last 13, which is unprecedented. That kind of consistency surely will translate into race wins soon.”

Last season, Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected wins in St. Louis and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 29. It is the 17th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and closes a stretch of three straight race weekends to open the Countdown to the Championship.

Like many, Beckman is thrilled to return to St. Louis, which has annually drawn huge crowds for the playoff race. He has two career victories at the facility, while Force has won three times in St….