By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Infinite Hero Foundation Funny Car pilot Jack Beckman is the No. 1 qualifier at the NTK NHRA Carolina Nationals. The Norco, California native went 3.873 at 334.07 mph at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
Beckman was able to pick up the No. 1 qualifier with his pass during Friday’s qualifying. This is his second No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 26th of his career.
He also set a track record for speed with his pass on Friday. In addition, this is the first-time in his career that he is the No. 1 qualifier at zMAX Dragway.
“If Pomona (the final race of the season) ends up coming down to a three- or four-point championship, it’s going to be who managed qualifying best,” said Beckman. “And we got 13 points out of qualifying. That’s pretty good. Anybody who tells you they don’t count points either sucks at math or they’re lying to you.”
Beckman will face Dale Creasy Jr. in the first-round of eliminations. The Beecher, Illinois native went 4.385 at 209.36 mph.
AAA sponsored Funny Car pilot Robert Hight is the No. 2 qualifier. The Yorba Linda, California native went 3.878 at 334.07 mph.
Hight will face Mike McIntire Jr. in the first-round of eliminations. The Chesterland, Ohio native went 4.219 at 256.99 mph.
Mopar sponsored Funny Car pilot Matt Hagan is the No. 3 qualifier. The Christiansburg, Virginia native went 3.880 at 331.69 mph.
“The Hulk” will face Dave Richards in the first-round of eliminations. The Wellington, Florida native went 4.071 at 297.16 mph.
NAPA Auto Parts Funny Car pilot Ron Capps is the No. 4 qualifier. The Carlsbad, California native went 3.882 at 330.55 mph.
Capps will face Jim Campbell in the first-round of eliminations. The Huntington Beach, California native went 3.988 at 316.75 mph.
Living legend John Force is the No. 5 qualifier. The Yorba Linda, California native, who is sponsored by PEAK Antifreeze, went 3.890 at 331.45 mph.
Force will face reigning Funny Car champion J.R. Todd in the first-round of eliminations. The Indianapolis, Indiana native, who is sponsored by DHL, went 3.972 at 308.43 mph.
The rest of the ladder looks like this:
6) Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 3.891, 328.46 mph vs. 11) Jonnie Lindberg, Mustang, 3.972, 323.12 mph
7) Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.945, 318.99 mph vs. 10) Shawn Langdon, Camry, 3.970, 326.00 mph
8) Tommy Johnson Jr., Charger, 3.950, 321.65 mph vs. 9) Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.955, 321.04 mph
Did Not Qualify:
17) Terry Haddock, 5.442, 127.92 mph
18) Bob Gilbertson, 7.810, 88.09 mph
