Beckman Triumphs in Thrilling Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Jack Beckman powered his PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS to victory at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Illinois, on May 18, 2025. Racing on the sponsor’s home track, Beckman had the support of 623 Old World Industries employees, each name printed on his car’s hood.

In a tight all-John Force Racing final, Beckman edged out teammate Austin Prock, winning by just .012 seconds. Beckman’s reaction time of .049 seconds made the difference in a race where his 3.935-second run barely topped Prock’s 3.933.

Beckman was thrilled to celebrate a big win at Chicago, a venue that had been off the NHRA tour for several years. After leaving full-time competition at the end of 2020, he never expected to race at Route 66 again. For more details on the history of NHRA events, you can explore the NHRA official website.

This triumph was his sixth career win from the top starting spot and only his first since 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. The win marked Beckman’s second victory of the season, moving him up to second place in the Mission Foods series points, just 41 behind his teammate, the defending champion.

The race weekend wasn’t easy for Beckman or his crew. During Saturday qualifying, an electronic issue kept his car from starting, and Beckman missed a chance to better his leading 3.859-second pass.

Before the final round, the team worked fast to replace a faulty MSD grid unit. Beckman praised his crew chief, Tim Fabrisi, for handling three different car-starting issues across the event. For technical insights into drag racing mechanics, check out SAE International.

Despite these setbacks, the 2003 Super Comp World Champion stayed calm under pressure, saying every opportunity to race feels more special at this point in his career.

Austin Prock, 29, made his way to the Funny Car final despite struggling during qualifying in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet. On Sunday, he knocked out Bobby Bode, Paul Lee, and Matt Hagan, who won the event last year.

Prock was racing in his fourth final across six races this season. He said he was proud of his team’s effort, especially after a slow start.

Prock admitted he left a little speed on the track in the deciding race but celebrated the victory for Beckman and the PEAK team, calling it a great day for John Force Racing.

In Top Fuel, Brittany Force was chasing a milestone as she tried to become the 12th driver to earn 300 NHRA round wins. Her Monster Energy dragster posted a strong 3.780-second qualifying run. Learn more about Top Fuel racing history on Wikipedia’s Top Fuel page.

However, in eliminations, the car lost traction in the first round against Justin Ashley and slowed to 5.149. The two-time champion said she was happy with her quick .047 reaction time, though Ashley’s .018 was the best of the event.

Force is already looking ahead to her next chance to reach 300 wins at the New England Nationals on June 1 in Epping, New Hampshire, where she also won in 2017.

The Route 66 Nationals was the 25th edition of the event, and this win marked the 324th pro tour victory for John Force Racing. The final was only the second all-JFR showdown at Chicago, repeating history from 2006, when John Force himself beat Robert Hight by a similar margin. For more on John Force Racing’s legacy, visit their official team page.

After his win, Beckman said beating a teammate who is often just a hundredth or two quicker was extra special. He praised the hard work of his team throughout the challenging weekend.

As the NHRA season continues, racers and fans now set their sights on the next stop in Epping. Beckman’s win, Prock’s consistency, and Force’s milestones keep the series exciting as competition tightens heading toward the summer schedule. For updates on upcoming races, follow the NHRA schedule.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.