Jack Beckman Q&A: Four Questions with the Former Champ as He Prepares to Pilot John Force’s Funny Car at 47th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire
When Jack Beckman began going to races as a child, he was enthralled by everything that was happening on the track and off the track.
The drivers of the cars became his heroes, and many of them remained his heroes through the years.
When Beckman began racing himself, first in sportsman ranks and then in professional ranks, he was surrounded by, and supported by, the very racers he revered in his younger years.
While he has accomplished so much as a sportsman racer and an NHRA Funny Car racer, he is most proud of being in the same circle as his fellow competitors and calling them family and friends.
Beckman, a former U.S. Air Force Sergeant who served our country, is known for being a sincere and stand-up person. “Fast Jack,” as he is called by race fans, has been working at his job in elevator service and repair for Schindler Elevator in Orange County, California, since he climbed out of his previous Funny Car, but he recently answered the call to pilot what is perhaps the most well-known Funny Car, and that is John Force’s PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS, as Force, the 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, continues to recover from his high-speed on-track crash.
Beckman will make his debut in the wildly popular car at the 47th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire this Saturday, Aug. 3 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. A Friday qualifying session is free for Saturday ticket holders.
Mary Lendzion, Summit Motorsports Park Media and Public Relations Director talked with Beckman about this opportunity, which he considers to be the second chapter of his racing career. Below is what the world’s fastest elevator service and repair person had to say about it.
What was your reaction when you were offered the opportunity to drive John Force’s Funny Car?
I have always loved John Force, and as far as I am concerned, he can never do anything wrong. I had not spoken to him since his accident because I wanted to be respectful of the fact that he has a long road to recovery and is surrounded by people, and I knew there would be a time and place for a visit and I was willing to wait for that. When John Force Racing did call me, I said yes immediately, and then I tried not to get too excited when we were going through the process and checking off what we needed to check off in order for this to happen.
What does the opportunity mean to you personally?
My racing career includes 20 years of driving my own stuff and 14 years of driving a pro car, and I had no reason to complain, but I thought my racing career was over after the pandemic and money was tight. To be given this opportunity and to be named the person to hop into this car means a lot. It is actually hard to find the words. It is humbling, flattering and exhilarating to know I am driving John Force’s car. He is the definition of self-made. He does not know the meaning of no. They broke the mold with that guy and I love him to death. There is only one John Force, and what he has accomplished is not likely to be repeated. I so appreciate his family’s faith in me.
What elements of Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire are you most looking forward to?
First I have to tell you a funny story. I have only performed at one Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire, and it was when I was in the Infinite Hero Funny Car. When we got to Summit Motorsports Park, I begged my crew to let me do a long burnout for the fans, and they said yes. Well, I ended up kicking out two connecting rods, and they told me they hoped I got that out of my system because I was not doing it again at that event. What I am looking forward to most for this event is getting back in a car, standing on the throttle, getting to the finish line and hanging out with fans and enjoying the night. After all, I am still a fan myself, so I want to see the other drivers and the entertainment, too.
What is next for you after Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire?
The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Aug. 15-18, at Brainerd International Raceway is next. I would be foolish to think I am going to immediately be at the same level I was at, but I am ready to make the laps and do what I need to do to be where I need to be, and I am looking forward to it.
This story was originally published on August 1, 2024.
The post Jack Beckman Q&A: Four Questions with the Former Champ as He Prepares to Pilot John Force’s Funny Car at 47th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
