COMMERCE, Ga. — When Jack Beckman’s 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opened by not qualifying in Pomona, the initial thought may have been that his nightmare of a 2014 season was continuing.
But with new crew chief Jimmy Prock in the fold, that thought never entered Beckman’s mind.
“We started off this year with a DNQ in Pomona but I wasn’t really nearly as disappointed as I thought I might have been,” Beckman said. “I think the reason is I’m looking ahead and I know what we’re capable of. I know Jimmy Prock’s track record. I know we were going to get a solid foundation underneath us and start winning races.
“I always said Jimmy needed 20 runs to the finish line with this new hybrid combination before he could start collecting enough data to make consistently quick runs. I think our final round win at Charlotte was the 18th run to the finish line with that combo. I think we’re actually right on target for a great year. Whether that equates to a championship, who knows?”
Regardless of whether another championship ring is in the future, Beckman’s 2015 season in his Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T is already off to a dazzling start, erasing last year’s disappointment in impressive fashion. Beckman won the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte – his first win since his 2012 world championship season – and advanced to the final round as the No. 1 qualifier at the most recent event in Houston.
With each passing event Beckman and the team, led by Prock, appear more and more comfortable and that championship potential will be on display at Atlanta Dragway during the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, May 15-17. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2.
It marks the seventh of 24 events during the 2015 season and Beckman, a two-time winner in Atlanta, already appears to have found a groove that was never there a year ago. Beckman, who has 16 career victories, currently sits sixth in points and has advanced to the final round in two of the past three events.
His No. 1 qualifying performance in Houston showcased a sterling 3.98-second track record effort, another sign that he and Prock, who was named Beckman’s crew chief late in 2014, are on the same page. For Beckman, the solution has been simple.
“Whatever Jimmy says, I’ll do,” Beckman said. “When I heard he was coming over to my car the last two races of last year, I didn’t believe it. I didn’t know what his plans were going to be for 2015. (Team owner) Don (Schumacher) could put him on any of the teams. I was grateful that not only did he stay on my team, but John Medlen also came over and we kept Chris Cunningham.”
A year ago, Beckman couldn’t catch a break and admitted “the wheels fell off.” The frustrating year included zero wins and a finish outside the top 10 and an absence from the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Beckman admired how hard his team worked to try to find a solution, but nothing seemed to go his way.
That disappointment was further bolstered competing against a loaded Funny Car field that will be on display at Atlanta Dragway. The 16-time Funny Car world champ, John Force, is the winningest driver in any pro category in Atlanta with seven career victories. His teammate Hight has had much recent success at Atlanta with three wins since 2008, while other competitors in pursuit of the Funny Car event crown are current points leader and two-time winner this season Ron Capps, Courtney Force, reigning world champ Matt Hagan, Del Worsham, Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregon, three-time race winner Tony Pedregon and Tim Wilkerson.
The pursuit of victory continues to drive Beckman, who loves the high stakes and everything that will be on the line during eliminations at Georgia’s House of Speed.
“Our sport has a winner and a loser,” Beckman said. “It’s a different format, it’s what makes it so incredible and it’s what makes it so incredibly difficult. At any second any mistake, it could end. You go out there and you have a great round, you go back to your corner. Guess what? You have to get ready to do it again and again and again. At the end of the day there’s one person that didn’t lose.
“I think it’s what makes our sport so incredibly special. You have to be so mentally focused for a short period of time. I think when you’re confident, calm and cool, I think you’re more able to go out there and able to execute run after run the way it needs to be done.”
In Top Fuel, Massey claimed his first victory at Atlanta Dragway last season when he defeated recent Houston winner Doug Kalitta in the final round. Massey won earlier this season in Gainesville, while teammate Antron Brown has three Atlanta wins. Three-time world champ Larry Dixon has the most Top Fuel wins at Atlanta Dragway with four, while eight-time and defending world champ Tony Schumacher has yet to visit the winner’s circle in Atlanta. Others to watch are Richie Crampton, J.R. Todd, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and 2012 Atlanta winner Steve Torrence.
In Pro Stock, Greg Anderson, who posted a win in Gainesville this year, leads all active drivers with five victories at Atlanta Dragway, and was the runner-up to Coughlin in the final a year ago. He will face off against a host of challengers, including Allen Johnson and Larry Morgan, who are the two active Pro Stock drivers other than Anderson to win at Atlanta Dragway, defending world champ Erica Enders, who has won two national events in a row, rookie Drew Skillman, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, Vincent Nobile and V Gaines.
Pro Stock Motorcycle returned to Atlanta following a year off in 2013 and three-time world champ Krawiec picked up right where he left off, scoring his third win at the facility. Four-time and defending world champ Hines is looking for his first Georgia victory since 2010, while other standouts include Angelle Sampey, a three-time world champ who has four victories at the track, two-time world champ Matt Smith, Hector Arana Jr., 2009 world champ Hector Arana, Gainesville winner Karen Stoffer and veteran rider Steve Johnson.
The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its third stop of the 2015 season at the event and the race will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, May 15, with sessions at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, May 16, at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 17.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.NHRA.com/tickets or call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Children 12 and younger are free in general admission areas with paying adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, the seventh of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga. I-85 to Exit 149 (Hwy 441). After exiting the freeway, go north on Highway 441 to Steven Tanger Blvd. Take left on Tanger and then go right on Ridgeway Road.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 1,100 feet above sea level; Track direction is southeast to northwest.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 15-17
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, May 15 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:15 and 5:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 3:45 and 6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 16- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at noon. Round 1 of eliminations at 2:45 p.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, May 17 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, May 16, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 9 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 17, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations coverage starting at 9 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE (Digital HD feed):
Saturday, May 16, 6:30 – 7 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
Sunday, May 17, 6 – 6:30 p.m. (ET), AMC 9 / Transponder 03C
(3760 MHz, horizontal; Data Rate: 40.46147055 Mbp; Symbol Rate: 29.27 Ms; FEC: ¾; Bandwidth: 36 Mhz)
Video news release contains race action highlights each day and winners’ interviews on Sunday.
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin, Pro Stock, Eddie Krawiec, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Dave Schultz, 8, PSM; John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 5, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 4, TF/FC; Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Angelle Sampey, 4, PSM; Greg Anderson, 4, PS; Lee Shepherd, 4, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.732 sec. and 328.86 mph by Doug Kalitta, May ’14.
Funny Car – 4.012 sec. by Alexis DeJoria, May ’14; 320.58 mph by Courtney Force, May ’14.
Pro Stock – 6.493 sec. by Erica Enders, May ’14; 213.00 mph by Jason Line, May ’14.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.794 sec. and 197.54 mph by Eddie Krawiec, May ’14.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., April ’15, Charlotte, N.C.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Tony Schumacher, 474; 2. Spencer Massey, 441; 3. Antron Brown, 437; 4. Shawn Langdon, 406; 5. Doug Kalitta, 390; 6. Richie Crampton, 374; 7. Steve Torrence, 325; 8. Larry Dixon, 318; 9. Clay Millican, 312; 10. J.R. Todd, 299.
Funny Car: 1. Ron Capps, 431; 2. Matt Hagan, 425; 3. Del Worsham, 401; 4. Robert Hight, 397; 5. Tommy Johnson Jr., 369; 6. Jack Beckman, 353; 7. (tie) Alexis DeJoria, 328; John Force, 328; 9. Courtney Force, 301; 10. Cruz Pedregon, 291.
Pro Stock: 1. Erica Enders, 510; 2. Jason Line, 495; 3. Greg Anderson, 458; 4. Chris McGaha, 432; 5. Rodger Brogdon, 385; 6. Vincent Nobile, 337; 7. Drew Skillman, 334; 8. Larry Morgan, 320; 9. Shane Gray, 295; 10. Allen Johnson, 280.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Karen Stoffer, 115; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 98; 3. (tie) Shawn Gann, 72; LE Tonglet, 72; 5. Angelle Sampey, 66; 6. Andrew Hines, 59; 7. Hector Arana, 54; 8. Angie Smith, 51; 9. Matt Smith, 43; 10. (tie) Steve Johnson, 34. Jim Underdahl, 34.
