BILL STEPHENS “IN THE GROOVE” 6/29/09

Jack Beckman wins on his birthday. How do you like that?!

Despite the fact that JFR came up empty in Norwalk, not too many people in the Full Throttle series are going to be upset that Jack won the race. The Jack Beckman story would make a heck of a movie and it’s not an exaggeration to say he has been a source of inspiration for many. Personally, I think Jack is an enormous credit to the sport.

If you’re not familiar with Jack’s background, he has been a devoted drag racer for his entire adult life. He first came into prominence in the early 1990’s when he built a Super Comp dragster which resembled “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ famous mono-strut “Swamp Rat” Top Fuel car. Jack even had Big Daddy autograph it. It was a very cool piece.

In 2003, as “Fast Jack” was embarking on the Lucas Oil S/C trail, he was diagnosed with cancer. Jack went through the grueling ordeal of radiation and chemotherapy that year. I saw him at the FRAM-Autolite Nationals in Sonoma that year and he looked, drawn, pale, and fragile. After we had talked for a while, we gave each other a heartfelt “Goodbye” hug and at that moment, I wasn’t sure if I would ever see Jack again.

The prognosis for Jack’s recovery at the time wasn’t very good. I believe the figure doctors gave Jack was around 10%. Miraculously, Jack won the Super Comp World Championship in 2003 amidst all of his medical challenges, and then learned his cancer had gone into remission. He has made a phenomenal recovery and today is truly one of the genuine stars of the sport.

If you have ever had the chance to meet and talk to Jack, you’ll understand why he is considered such an exceptional person.

Back at JFR, the news wasn’t all bad in Norwalk. Thanks to Ashley’s recent string of final and semi-final appearances, she is now leading the points. Way to go, Ashley! Of course, the Countdown format places less emphasis on leading the points than under the old system, but it certainly gives Ashley and the team a big dose of confidence as we approach the halfway point of the season.  Congrats also goes to Mike Neff for breaking into the “Top 10” this weekend.

For Robert, there’s work to be done. It’s unusual for an JFR car to be outside the Countdown Top 10 at this stage of the season, yet only John, Ashley and Mike are above the line as we prepare for the Western Swing in a couple of weeks.

And how about Courtney advancing to the semi-finals in Top Alcohol Dragster in Norwalk? She was beaten by Michael Manners in the semis, but that was a very encouraging finish for her, considering she doesn’t compete at every national event.

BTW, Manners faced Bill Reichert in the finals and was beaten by one of the reigning heavyweights in the class. Bill has been out there a long time, is a former champion, and has pretty much ruled Division 3 in TA/D for two decades.

On this end, perhaps you were able to catch some of the Mecum Muscle Cars and More Auction this past Friday and Saturday on Discovery HD Theater. We were televising the auction from the immense Bloomington Gold Corvette Show in St. Charles, IL and if you are a Corvette lover, this event has been the granddaddy of them all for 37 years.  It was a blast and watching someone buy an original 1969 L-88 Corvette for $300,000 isn’t something you see everyday….!

The next NHRA Full Throttle event will be at beautiful Bandimere Speedway in Denver in a couple of weeks. After the race, I’ll have more from “In the Groove” here at www.johnforceracing.com  so I hope you’ll swing by then.

Buckle up and drive safely…please!