Jack Beckman seeks points gain at Maple Grove

JACK BECKMAN’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST TO CONTINUE AT AUTO-PLUS® NHRA NATIONALS

Jack Beckman

Photo by: Ted Rossino

MOHNTON, September 27, 2011 – Aboard his Aaron’s Dream Machine/Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, Jack Beckman roars onto the track at Maple Grove Raceway here for this weekend’s 27th annual Auto-Plus® NHRA Nationals looking to make a significant move in the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship.

Coming off a second-round defeat last week in the Dallas event, second of six in the Countdown, the 45-year-old Don Schumacher Racing driver believes time is of the essence for a title run.

The flopper driver holds third place in the Countdown standings, 32 – less than two rounds – behind leader Mike Neff. Between him and Neff are Cruz Pedregon and DSR teammate Matt Hagan, with his other DSR teammate, Ron Capps, 35 behind him in fifth.

“There are 16 rounds of racing left in the season,” explained the California native. “I think we need nine (round wins) for the championship and we need to get four of them –which would mean a trophy – here at Reading.

“We’ve had some good weekends recently, but we need a great one – with a win – now.”

Beckman has already collected two “Wallys” in four final-round appearances this season. Since the Countdown began two races ago in Charlotte (with four remaining including this weekend), he has reached the semifinals and quarterfinals.

“We’ve got some good history at Maple Grove, which we would love to repeat this weekend,” said the winner of the 2008 race. “We would love to see four win lights on Sunday.”