Birthday Beckman Clinches Exciting Runner-Up at NHRA Nationals

Ron Capps denies Jack Beckman a birthday win, taking Norwalk’s Funny Car final with 3.969s at 328.54 mph. Beckman replies with 4.011s at 323.43 on his 60th.

It marks Beckman’s third runner-up of 2026 and his 81st career final, underscoring the PEAK SQUAD Chevrolet SS’s consistency while highlighting a marginal deficit to Capps under pressure.

The pair also met in Charlotte, where Capps prevailed. Even so, Beckman improves his standings, as recent NHRA Nationals winners indicate.

Beckman reaches the final by defeating Spencer Hyde, Daniel Wilkerson, and Austin Prock, managing shifting track temperatures with repeatable pace and clean execution.

He says summer heat and cooler evening sessions suit the PEAK tune-up, giving a broad window as the calendar turns west.

Alexis DeJoria advances to the semifinals for John Force Racing but loses to Capps after early tire spin. She records 4.905 at 160.81 against Capps’ 4.051 at 310.13.

Earlier, DeJoria’s Bandero Café Chevy defeats Blake Alexander and Chad Green, banking 47 points and reinforcing a dependable baseline.

That momentum builds on the team’s productive weekend, mirrored in John Force qualifying at Norwalk, where consistency underpinned pace.

In Top Fuel, Josh Hart opens with 3.962 at 275.39, then smokes the tires in round two. Clay Millikan capitalizes with 4.290 after trailing early. He targets recovery at Sonoma.

Jordan Vandergriff bows out in round one to J.R. Todd. His 3.946 at 329.83 is quicker, but Todd’s start margin carries a 3.951 at 329.42.

Norwalk is round eleven of twenty in the 2026 Mission Foods NHRA season. Recent eliminations, including Antron Brown’s final round, underline fine margins before Sonoma, July 17-19.

Beckman’s trajectory remains upward, supported by recent form detailed in his Potomac recap. The PEAK group carries confidence and data into the West Coast swing.

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Nicholas Rivera

Nicholas Rivera delivers NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car news, including eliminator-round results and reaction-time stats. He brings track-side interviews, contender profiles, and championship-point breakdowns straight from drag-racing’s biggest national events.