”Fast Jack” Beckman filling in for John Force

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

John Force Racing has announced on Tuesday that “Fast Jack” Beckman is their new substitute driver. He will be driving the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for the rest of the season.

Beckman is taking over John Force’s ride. The team has dubbed the rest of the season, “Joint Task Force – Mission Championship.”

“When you think about someone who can handle the driving, can deal with the media, take care of the sponsors and take care of the fans, there was only one obvious choice and that was Jack Beckman,” Hight said. “Plus, he has history with Chris Cunningham (co-crew chief on the PEAK Chevy with Dan Hood and Tim Fabrisi) and has the respect of John’s family.”

Force was recently released from an Arizona hospital, where they were treating his Traumatic Brain Injury. He will now receive outpatient treatment near his Yorba Linda, California home.

Beckman — last was in a Funny Car with Don Schumacher Racing — will debut with John Force Racing this weekend. He will be competing at the 47th Annual Cornwell Tools “Night Under Fire,” which is a thrill show at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

The California native then will compete in the NHRA at Brainerd. Following Brainerd, Minnesota, Beckman will compete at the prestigious U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

After the U.S. Nationals, Beckman will compete in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship.

Beckman last raced competitively in 2020 with Don Schumacher Racing. He has 33 career wins.

The NHRA allows a substitute driver to collect points for a driver that cannot compete. Thus, Beckman is currently sixth in points for Force.

“It’s been nearly four years since I stood on the throttle, and I thought that feeling was something I’d never experience again,” Beckman said. “Though the circumstances that brought me back are regrettable, the opportunity presented to me is beyond my ability to find words. I’m not replacing John…nobody could ever do that. John is one of a kind, and his impact on this sport, and my life, cannot be overemphasized. I know how fortunate I am to have been picked to fill in for John, and I should be easy to spot in the pits. I’ll be the guy who can’t stop smiling.”

PEAK is also thrilled with Beckman taking over for Force on a temporary basis.

“We’re happy to have the PEAK team back on track and Jack is the right person for this job until John can return,” Old World Industries Director of Marketing Brian Bohlander said. “It’s great for the fans and our customers as Jack is an automotive enthusiast and DIYer who will fit right in with our program on and off the track.”