It’s been five years since Jack Beckman last raced at Firebird Motorsports Park, but the 2012 Funny Car World Champion doesn’t expect that lengthy absence to adversely affect his bid for a historic victory this week when he drives the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS in the 40th NHRA Arizona Nationals.
“I’ve won Phoenix on Sunday (2008). I’ve won Phoenix on a Monday (2010). I’ve won Phoenix in the Spring, and I’ve won Phoenix in the Fall (2011),” he said. “This year, I want to win Phoenix for JFR, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. That ‘300’ milestone looms large, and our PEAK squad wants it!”
The 300 that has the attention of the accomplished driving instructor and drag racing historian is the latest milestone within reach of the dynasty for which he has been driving since last August when he was tapped to fill in for the sport’s all-time biggest winner and eight-time Phoenix champion, John Force.
JFR Funny Car drivers have won 299 NHRA tour events. Ten different drivers have contributed to the total, but Beckman knows that he who wins No. 300 will occupy an extra special place in the sport’s archives.
“Either Austin Prock’s Cornwell Tools team or my PEAK team will put a Chevy SS in the history books with the next win,” he said. “So, Chris Cunningham, Tim Fabrisi, Daniel Hood, myself and the rest of the PEAK squad have plenty of incentive.”
Hood, whose wife is the former Ashley Force, herself a three-time U.S. Nationals winner, was crew chief on Courtney Force’s Chevy when it set the current Firebird speed record of 337.16 mph on Feb. 25, 2018.
Since going to work for an outfit that once fielded cars for his biggest rivals, “Fast Jack” has raced in three final rounds, won twice, sped to personal bests for elapsed time and speed, qualified third or better in seven of nine starts (with a No. 1 qualifier two weeks ago in the season-opening Gatornationals at Gainesville, Fla.) and earned the chance to race full-time this year for a Mission Foods Championship.
Not too shabby for someone who thought his pro career was over after a 2020 season in which he was runner-up in the Arizona Nationals while in the employ of Don Schumacher Racing, for whom he won 33 of his 35 Funny Car titles.
Beckman, Prock, and their Top Fuel teammate, Brittany Force, will benefit this week from the added support of Powers Affordable Housing, a subsidiary of Powers Steel and Wire Products that sells 40’x30’ solar-ready steel housing in kit form. It’s an encore for Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame member John Powers, who previously was affiliated with JFR through another of his companies, Powers Solar Frames.
“Powers has been involved in racing since the 70’s,” said team owner John Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion. “That’s why we get along so well. I love the motivation that he is giving me and I’m excited to promote his new company in his hometown.” For more information, go to www.PowersSteel.com.
This story was originally published on March 19, 2025. 
