Beckman Thrives in Exciting ‘Two-Wide’ Racing Comeback

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Jack Beckman is glad to be back to traditional two-lane NHRA drag racing at the Route 66 Nationals, after a tough pair of four-wide events last month. The 58-year-old, a cancer survivor and the 2012 NHRA Funny Car World Champion, enters his 14th event in the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet SS this week.

Beckman last raced at Illinois’ Route 66 Raceway in 2019, where he also claimed victory in 2016. After back-to-back first-round exits at Las Vegas and Charlotte, Beckman says he’s determined to return to the consistent form that kept him atop the Mission Foods points list after his Pomona win just three races ago.

His PEAK-sponsored Chevy carried John Force Racing to career win number 300 earlier this year, and Beckman now sits fourth in points after a challenging four-wide swing. Crew chiefs Daniel Hood, Chris Cunningham, and Tim Fabrisi are fine-tuning their setup for Chicago, aiming to recapture the momentum that made them a threat early in the season.

At last year’s Route 66 Nationals, the PEAK team brought home a runner-up result, and Beckman is hoping to take it one step further this weekend. The Chicago-area track is of special importance to the team, as PEAK considers it their home event.

This week, Beckman’s car will feature an employee-inspired design and play host to around 200 PEAK staffers and guests trackside. The veteran U.S. Air Force driver plans to spend extra time at PEAK’s headquarters before qualifying gets underway, adding extra excitement to an already pivotal event.

With his home sponsor in the stands, Beckman aims for a “PEAK-packed” winners’ circle to close out the week.

Filling in for the legendary John Force since Force’s June 2024 crash in Virginia, Beckman closed last season with two Countdown wins and finished second in the final points standings, just behind teammate Austin Prock. Those closing performances show Beckman’s ability to perform under pressure, and both the driver and team are eager to return to form in front of their sponsor’s home crowd.

Chicago’s Route 66 Nationals marks the 25th running of the storied event and brings together NHRA’s best for a return to the side-by-side, two-lane format fans and racers know best. For more details on the history of NHRA drag racing, check out this comprehensive overview from History.com. After early exits in the unique four-wide races, Beckman is focused on reaching the late rounds and building back the momentum that made him a title contender early in the year.

With a record that includes 36 career professional wins and more than a decade in Funny Car competition, Beckman remains one of the sport’s most experienced drivers. The PEAK team hopes that a strong showing this weekend will boost their standings and restore their early-season confidence as the second half of the season approaches.

Racing action at Route 66 Raceway is set to thrill fans, as Beckman and the PEAK Chevy crew chase another victory to celebrate with their hometown sponsor. For those interested in learning more about the technical aspects of drag racing, the Society of Automotive Engineers offers valuable resources.