John Force Racing has added a replacement driver for the remainder of the 2024 season as John Force continues to recover from a traumatic brain injury sustained at Virginia Motorsports Park.
According to a Tuesday announcement, former Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman will take over the Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS starting with the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals on Aug. 16. He will control the entry in two races before the points reset for the Countdown to the Championship.
When you're that fast, you return missed calls in person... @peakauto @NHRA @FastJackBeckman #TeamChevy https://t.co/gVudejmgZS pic.twitter.com/EUY4BISCjI
— John Force Racing (@JFR_Racing) July 30, 2024
This change is made possible by NHRA rules. The race teams can employ a replacement driver in the event the regular driver is unable to compete. This substitute can earn points for the original driver for a maximum of eight events. The 2024 NHRA schedule only has eight events remaining.
"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 in a statement. "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."
"Fast Jack" has two NHRA World Championships. He won the Funny Car World Championship in 2012. He won the Super Comp World Championship in 2003. Beckman finished top five in points in 12 of his 14 full-time seasons.
Beckman, a 33-time Funny Car winner, last competed full-time in 2020. He finished third in the points while Matt Hagan won the championship. Tommy Johnson Jr. ended the season second in points.
Beckman has ties to the Force family, making this partnership a natural fit. The U.S. Air Force veteran has served as a consultant at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School, where he has taught more than 7,000 students since 1998.
This list of students includes Force's wife, Laurie, and their daughters Ashley, Brittany, and Courtney.
"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," said team president Robert Hight in a statement.
"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."