throw out on social media posts speculating about who would get the opportunity to drive Force ’ s iconic hot rod . The cancer survivor and U . S . Air Force veteran last raced competitively in 2020 , spending the last few years as a full-time elevator technician . At 58 years old , Beckman didn ’ t necessarily envision a return to championship-contending Funny Car racing .
“ It ’ s been nearly four years since I stood on the throttle , and I thought that feeling was something I ’ d never experience again ,” Beckman said . “ Though the circumstances that brought me back are regrettable , the opportunity presented to me is beyond my ability to find words . I ’ m not replacing John ... nobody could ever do that . John is one of a kind , and his impact on this sport , and my life , cannot be overemphasized . I know how fortunate I am to have been picked to fill in for John , and I should be easy to spot in the pits . I ’ ll be the guy who can ’ t stop smiling .”
Beckman was an obvious choice for PEAK and its parent company , Old World Industries , thanks to his champion status , his repertoire with the fans , and the fact that he ’ s a genuine car guy .
“ We ’ re happy to have the PEAK team back on track and Jack is the right person for this job until John can return ,” said Brian Bohlander , Director of Marketing , Old World Industries . “ It ’ s great for the fans and our customers as Jack is an automotive enthusiast and DIYer who will fit right in with our program on and off the track .”
When Beckman made his debut in the PEAK machine at Night Under Fire , he joined a long list of JFR drivers that have competed in the historic match racing event , including Tony Pedregon , Eric Medlen , Robert Hight , Mike Neff , Ashley Force Hood , Courtney Force , and Brittany Force , who
September / October 2024
AMERICA ’ S RACETRACK Force ’ s huge fan base at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk , Ohio , paid tribute at the first race without Force in attendance , and showed support for his substitute driver , “ Fast ” Jack Beckman .
joined Beckman in a special Cornwell Tools Top Fuel dragster .
During the pre-race ceremonies at Night Under Fire , track president Bill Bader Jr . gave a touching tribute to Force , who was still recovering at home . He also welcomed Beckman in his place , and the cheer of the crowd showed their approval .
The Force team nearly doubled up , as Brittany scored the Top Fuel win over T . J . Zizzo , while a mechanical failure prevented Beckman from defeating Dale Creasy Jr . in the Funny Car final . But most importantly , Beckman got reacclimated with stabbing the gas in a 12,000-horsepower Funny Car .
“ We got to step on the throttle a bunch of times ,” Beckman said . “ I got the runs I needed to get my license [ renewed ] and we probably learned a couple things about the car . Remember , John and I don ’ t weigh the same [ and ] our driving styles are a little bit different . The crew and I are going to have to meld our styles together to where everything is predictable again for them [ like ] it was when John was driving .
“ The biggest thing is now I know how to go home and visualize exactly what this car looks like , feels like , sounds like and responds like ,” Beckman continued . “ I ’ ll be better when we get to Brainerd . You have to remember , it ’ s a brand-new car . [ It ] had never been down the racetrack before , so I think we checked off all the boxes .”
As of this writing , Beckman was preparing for his points-earning debut at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd , Minnesota . Through NHRA ’ s substitute driver policy , Beckman will continue earning points for Force , who was second when he crashed and has only slipped to sixth in the standings going into Brainerd , the penultimate race of the NHRA regular season . Beckman will solidify the PEAK team ’ s position for the Countdown to the Championship at the 70th NHRA U . S . Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park over Labor Day weekend . Then , he ’ ll have the six-race Countdown playoffs to help Force win a 17th NHRA world championship .
“ I ’ m still wrapping my head around the fact that it ’ s actually me sitting in John Force ’ s car ,” said Beckman , a 33-time winner . “ Robert Hight did a conference call on [ August 2 ] and I got to speak to John for the first time since his accident . That was medicine for the soul .”
What comes next for Force remains to be seen , but we can all agree that a drag racing future with Force in it is a bright one . DI
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