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2013 NHRA: Winternationals Ends Early For Reigning Champ Beckman As Valvoline/MTS Team Shifts Focus To Next Race At Phoenix
Reigning world champion Jack Beckman reinforced what drivers always say: Every team that qualifies is capable of winning on Sunday in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
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Those prophetic words were echoed on Sunday when the No. 15-seeded team with driver Todd Lesenko survived a tire-smoking battle and eliminated Jack, who qualified No. 2, after both lost traction and smoked their tires in the opening round.
"From a fan's perspective, that's the exciting part of racing," Jack said.
"We had the whole offseason and we knew we would come out here with the No. 1 on the car. We were able test a couple of times, and in our minds we wanted to come out just us strong as we wrapped up last season.
"When we rolled into the gates here at Pomona, my home track, we fully expected to be able to contend for the title. We went out there and dropped (an engine) cylinder right at the hit of the throttle and that drives you to left, plays havoc with the clutch and winds up smoking the tires.
"When something like that happens the hope is you can find the smoking gun to make sure it doesn't happen the next time.
"We have to dig deep into the computer and figure out what went wrong and how do we prevent it next week in Phoenix. It's frustrating, but it is a 24-race season. We know we'll be near the top all through the season."
The following are Jack's results from the Winternationals:
FUNNY CAR
Event winner: Courtney Force (John Force Racing)
No. 1 qualifier: Courtney Force (John Force Racing), 4.036, 318.24 (Saturday)
Jack Beckman, Valvoline/MTS Mail for Wounded Warriors Dodge Charger R/T
Qualified: No. 2
SUNDAY ELIMINATIONS
1st round: Todd Lesenko (xx) def. BECKMAN (xx)
THURSDAY QUALIFYING
Session 1: 4.148 sec., 309.13 mph
FRIDAY QUALIFYING
Session 2: 4.045, 316.17
SATURDAY QUALIFYING
Session 3: 5.374, 135.17
Session 4: 4.048, 317.05
NEXT EVENT: Feb. 22-24, NHRA Arizona Nationals, Firebird International Raceway, Phoenix
NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES
(unofficial, after 1 of 24 events; DSR drivers in CAPS)
FUNNY CAR
1. Courtney Force, 124
2. RON CAPPS, 94
3. JOHNNY GRAY, 76
4. Gary Densham, 60
5. Cruz Pedregon, 56
6. Matt Hagan, 52
7. Bob Tasca III, 51
8. Todd Lesenko, 51
9. JACK BECKMAN, 43
10. Del Worsham, 38
PaddockTalk Perspective
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