At this year’s NHRA Midwest Nationals, all eyes are on Jack Beckman who has stepped into the driver’s seat for John Force following the legendary drag racer’s dramatic crash in June. As Beckman readies himself for the 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals at the World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis on September 26, 2024, he’s not just seeking a win but enjoying what he describes as a “real challenge.”
Beckman will be sitting behind the wheel of the 11,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS which currently stands third in points in the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The race in St. Louis marks the 17th of 20 races this season and is a crucial part of the Countdown to the Championship. This stretch will determine if Beckman can transform his strong playoff performance, with finals in Reading and semifinals in Charlotte, into a victory.
“Our goal is to win a race and the way Austin is running, it’s going to be tough on all of us,” Beckman said via Motorsports News Wire.
Austin Prock, the current points leader and a standout performer with a dominant season streak, has seen an unprecedented run that has put a target on his back.
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“Austin is the guy with the target on his back and what they’re doing this year has just been dominant. What they’ve done is unprecedented.”
Bob Tasca III, sitting second in points just seven ahead of Beckman, also contributes to the stiff competition while being 129 points behind Prock.
Historically, the St. Louis track has been a battleground for racing titans such as Matt Hagan, who won the Funny Car class last year and is another fierce contender that Beckman has to outpace. Beckman has his own record here, however, with two victories to his name.
This year’s competition breathes new life into the sport with a mix of seasoned champions and up-and-coming talent, including reigning world champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd, and rookie Daniel Wilkerson. The stakes are equally high across other categories. In Top Fuel, Clay Millican aims for consecutive wins in St. Louis, while Antron Brown, the points leader, has dominated the first two playoff races. Pro Stock sees Greg Anderson vying for another win to stay competitive, with heavyweights like Dallas Glenn and Erica Enders in the fray.
Besides the heated competitions, fans can expect an engaging weekend with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, and more, promising a variety of races. Fan interactions including meet and greets in Nitro Alley, pre-race ceremonies, and open winner’s circle celebrations add to the event’s allure.
“All of us are up for the challenge and (we’re) planning to showcase that this weekend in St. Louis,” Beckman said. “This PEAK Chevy team has earned bonus points in eight straight qualifying runs, and 11 of the last 13, which is unprecedented. That kind of consistency surely will translate into race wins soon.”
Whether Beckman can clinch a race win and potentially the championship for John Force remains to be seen.
“Right now, there’s so many great cars out there. Our goal is to win a race,” Beckman reiterated. “But at the end of the year, we want Team Force No. 1 and No. 2. Our mission – winning the championship for John Force – is becoming more clearly defined.”
