It was announced earlier this week that Jack Beckman will drive John Force’s Peak Antifreeze sponsored Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for the rest of the year.
On June 23, the 75-year-old Funny Car competitor sustained a traumatic brain injury from a first-round crash at Virgina Motorsports Park during the NHRA Virigina Nationals. As the 16-time Funny Car Champion crossed the finish line at a speed over 300mph and won the round, the car suffered from a fiery engine explosion that sent it into the retention wall. From there, the car bounced off one wall and sent it veering across the track into the other retaining wall.
Force spent 15 days in the acute neuro intensive care unit in Virgina and was then transported via AirMed Flight to a rehab center in Phoenix, Arizona. He was then released from the rehab center, a month later, on July 23 to head back to California.
In the midst of getting Force’s recovery, there has been talk of who will take his place for the rest of the season, considering his successful season thus far. At the time of the crash, the 16-time Champion was second in Funny Car points, trailing behind teammate Austin Prock. It was released in a statement from John Force Racing President Robert Hight Tuesday that Jack Beckman would return to finish out the season in place of Force.
“Fast Jack” Beckman is a long time Funny Car racer who most recently raced for Don Schumacher Racing. For many years during that time, he drove the Infinite Hero car along side of Tommy Johnson Jr. who raced the Make a Wish Funny Car. Both cars were sponsored by Terri Chandler of Chandler Aviation. These were “giving cars” as they granted wishes for kids through make a wish and had many veterans out to the races to spend time with Beckman and Johnson Jr.
Beckman’s first race with John Force Racing will be August 3rd at Summit Motorsports Park’s Night Under Fire in Norwalk, Ohio.
All Over Automotive 
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