To be asked to fill in for John Force is one of the biggest honors of my life. Though it still hasn't fully sunk in, I look forward to the challenge and will not lose sight of the enormity of the opportunity. And YES, I am excited!
The last time I flew in to race, was Dallas 2020. The world was still masked, and the weekend ended perfectly for me in the Winner’s Circle.
Looking forward to being back on the “other” side of the ropes this weekend!
@NorwalkRaceFans
@JFR_Racing
@peakauto
@TeamChevy
My wife’s car was in the shop so I let her drive the Hellcat to make a 40-mile trip. She mentioned how smooth the car was, once noticing she was going 90 on an uncrowd section of interstate, and having to slow way down. Apparently she didn't know about the "tattletale feature".
In all my years of elevator repair (more than 10 years, once I got out of the Air Force, and nearly four more including present day), I have NEVER been able to hang out of my work van, nor be cheered on by excited fans. Nothing else compares to drag racing!
@JFR_Racing
Today was the 1st time since 2006 I wasn't at an
@NHRA
National event. I was wiring an elevator when Funny Cars towed up to the lanes. I came home to this ... as if to take the sting off. Tomorrow I'll be working 8 hours OT during qualifying. Good luck to all!
#campingworldnhra
Got the toe in close enough to drive for an alignment, and for the first time in 2 decades my girl is moving under her own power! I'm sitting at the airport now, but next week it's time for the hood and a test drive.
#52butfeeling18again
#viagracomesinyellowtoo
When you feel like whining for almost winning the US Nationals....hug your buddy Jacob and realize how great a weekend it really was!
#NHRA
#perspective
In Norwalk, checked into hotel and went to the store to get some supplies. Surreal!
I can’t begin to describe how it feels to see my name on a John Force Race tow vehicle!
@teamchevy
@JFR_Racing
@peakauto
We're thrilled to welcome
@FastJackBeckman
to the
#PEAKsquad
. Today, we begin a Joint Task Force and our Mission is to get John Force his 17th NHRA Funny Car Championship! Fast Jack is ready to take the wheel to win it for John. Buckle up!
I'm doing my best to stay sharp, and trying to make my simulator as lifelike as possible, but Jason is about 331mph slower than the real thing...maybe he should wear shoes next time!
Our yearly "family photo". Hopefully Tony Shoe is able to join us soon and get us back to seven nitro cars! Either Matt's coffee hasn't kicked in yet, or he's mad that I got to stand next to Leah!
#nhra
#shoeracing
Two words: THANK YOU!
I have been overwhelmed (in the best possible way) by the amount of phone calls, emails and texts since yesterday, when the news went public.
(1 of 3)…
@JFR_Racing
@peakauto
@BlueDEFOfficial
@NHRA
Took the kids 75 miles to see my 96-year-old Grandma. This is as close as we were allowed, but that's okay. Thanks to all of you sending me birthday greetings. I still feel pretty sharp for 54. Took the kids 75 miles today to see my...oh...um...darn it!
TODAY Ed Iskenderian turned 100, and I was fortunate enough to be able to emcee the event. Hundreds of folks, a dozen Cackle cars, and Ed even hopped in the Waterman and Hampshire Top Fueler on a 110° day while it was fired!
Today I am running around fixing elevators, and I cannot describe how excited I am to head to Brainerd tomorrow to get strapped into the PEAK Chevy Camaro SS Funny Car!
@JFR_Racing
@peakauto
@TeamChevy
.
@InfiniteHeroOrg
did incredible things this weekend. Mary Dague lost both arms in Iraq as a bomb disposal tech. She got to watch us race, then was a featured speaker at fundraiser at Ravenna Golf. She’s one of several heroes that spoke w/such motivational & emotional presence.
Happy New Year to all. I finally got the Weld Wheels/ Goodyear Tire combo installed, and I'm not sure I'm in love with the aspect ratio (sidewall height). But...tires are expensive (and I'm out of discretionary income), so these will have to last a couple of years.
A fire on the TV, a lovely “replica” tree, and a Jungle Jim T-shirt: Christmas hasn’t changed a bit in my 51-plus years on earth! Merry Christmas to all of you from the Beckman family.
Even though it was 95 degrees (and I drove the car out to Fontana...LOVED the Vintage Air AC!), I still thought it should run 12.80's on street tires. What I didn't expect is what the scale read: 4205 pounds with me in it!
#mycarisfat
Tom and I developed a nice relationship over the years, and I am very moved with his passing. Aside from his “Mongoose” legend and his funny car career, I don’t know how many people know what a Titan he was to the sport. What a loss...
#RIPMongoose
I got to get my hands dirty helping T Buck adjust the mags on the NAPA car (pretty sure they won because of me!), AND even packed Jim Campbell's parachute before the semis (pretty sure they lost because of me), while Jason regaled Tony Stewart with go kart racing tips!
For a kid who only has been in a dirt go-cart for 6 outtings, & was in only his 4th race ever, I'm very impressed w/Jason's maturity & progress behind the wheel. Jason reached his first podium and was one happy dude. So was his dad!
It feels like I just left Phoenix! Man, it felt great to get back into the
@InfiniteHeroOrg
@Dodge
Charger SRT Hellcat at testing today, and we’re ready for tomorrow’s
#IndyNats
qualifying!
We’ve only got two shots tomorrow with 18 cars, but bring it on!
Sunday I surfed. Today I see some snow on the ground and ice in the parking lot
@shoeracing
in Indy. I don’t own a jacket for these conditions!
#wimpycalifornian
You are my friends, and I am moved and touched at the outpouring of care, excitement, and joy.
I am thrilled to live in a world with this much support, and
can’t wait to spend time with all of you.
“Fast” Jack
Better than spending $600 on a replacement, or a hundred on shop repair; I dusted off my trusty multimeter from my elevator days, and Jason helped me find a blown fuse, plus a bad surge suppressor. Did Layla help, you ask? Well, looks to me like she helped herself to some sugar!
Sure, the kids got tons of cool toys for Christmas...but mine is the coolest of all! Brent Cannon and Brandon Grover helped me do the final adjustments on the lift, and all that's left is to put the Elco on and give it a shot! Merry Christmas everyone!
Jason and I are supporting First Responder's Day at Irwindale Speedway. Jason's getting hard-core about his circle track racing, so I'll gladly roll with his passion
Friday traffic in SoCal always is tough, but 3 hours and 38 minutes to get home exceeds the time I've spent accelerating FOR MY ENTIRE NITRO CAREER! And...the view wasn't as cool.
'Dutch, from Baer Brakes' is 'Santa, from the North Pole' as far as I'm concerned. Today he brought the Elco back and the brakes are significantly better! Master cylinder, front pad compound and pedal geometry were all factors. Thanks to Hal and everyone there for the effort.
I'm committed to helping my buddy, Jacob Delling, to enjoy his days more. This is easy, guys (and gals):
@YouTube
"Blind and Independent", and PLEASE click "subscribe". Our goal is 3000
@NHRA
fans, helping put a smile on his face.
Nine runs over three days at Las Vegas. Our Infinite Hero team was able to test multiple parts and tuneups, so I'd consider it time well spent. Plus, I'm the new proud owner of half of a funny car! Honk if you see my silver Ram heading south on I-15, hauling my new toy.
#NHRA
Ever the planner, Layla wanted a nature hike, including a picnic in the park. It's been a long time since we did this, so I had her on my shoulders, hiking through high brush, up and down hills, at 90 degrees. And...I wouldn't trade that time for anything!
#girlsrule
Apparently we really needed a second dog. I never got the memo, but "Bella” was neglected, then given up and it was our anniversary. She seems like a sweet dog and should be a good companion for Apollo. AND...she's good leverage for me getting a motorcyle!
Everyone may (rightfully) think I'm crazy for spending two months -and counting- going through old Drag Racing publications. Well, the payoff is about to start! I've been filming in my secret studio (yeah, the garage) for hours, and I hope you enjoy the results...
It’s our country’s birthday, great friend and longtime sponsor Rodger Comstock’s birthday, and the anniversary of losing Terry Chandler, a woman who did, and continues still, to change lives for the better. All reasons to celebrate the day!
At the LaVerne carshow, you meet the coolest folks. Rodger and Karen Comstock brought out their '56 Chevy, and Michael Anthony had his '33 Ford. Yes...THAT Michael Anthony!
14 years...wow! My baby, then "my little man", is firmly into adolescence. He's taking Honors Calculus, amongst other advanced classes, & I'm excited to see him navigate into adulthood. Happy Birthday, from "Daddy" (I guess that may not be cool any longer). I love you, Jason.
70 years, TO THE MONTH, from when my Grandfather bought my (then 13 year old) dad his first Hot Rod (that's his original,lower left), the El Camino makes the magazine. Pinch me!
Brian, Randy, Dano and I tackled the hood today. After 4 hours I'm convinced it is possessed. Tomorrow is the day. 10am alignment, 11:30 AC charge & I’m guessing 1st burnout should be right around 1pm, followed by a very large smile!
An early(actually, very late!) Christmas present. We gave Doug Chandler the original trophy from the Finals last November, & my replacement just arrived. We can get 2 more this weekend if things go good in Indy, & I'm continuing to look for funding to continue driving after 2020.
Bob Frey doing his typically amazing emcee work at the Tom McEwen Memorial, held next door to the
@NHRA
Museum. Hundreds of us are here to honor the Mongoose. What a dude!
#NHRALegend
For the past 3 1/2 years, I have been an elevator serviceman...nothing more. It’s going to be an adjustment period for me, to get reaclimated to having, “fans.”
That being said, those of you who have reached out are much more than that.
(2,of 3)
Since I'm now apparently an "A-body expert", the Miller's invited me over to disassemble dad Keith's '69. They're big race fans, and son Christopher has helped me pack parachutes at the track, so it was the least I could do.
Sad trivia fact but our
@InfiniteHeroOrg
team will be the last Funny Car winner at a legendary facility whose fans are irreplaceable. Sad deal. That trophy sits at the Chandler house and was the last trophy Terry held. She wasn’t at the race but we sent it to her.
@EtownRaceway
What did I get for Christmas, you ask? Why, ARP rear wheel studs that are long enough to work with the Weld Wheels! And here's proof: Me, after assembling some of the kid's gifts, sneaking off to the garage, to bring a bit MORE joy to my heart!
I think that it’s fair to say we were trying to push hard to get three points in Q1 tonight at
#USNats
. We probably were two hundredths faster than the track, but are looking forward to tomorrow at Indy.
No...I haven't forgot the ElCamino. Yes...I'm still struggling with dialing in the brake system. I just had ALL the hard lines remade at Bonaco, using their machine double-flare tool. So, uh...I guess it's time to dig back in!
Sea World lets veterans in free once a year, and that's just fine with me! A great family day, but Jenna and I wisely skipped the Rapids ride...and now have two soaked kids!
No, I didn't sell the Elco (but many of you have inquired about the status of my stopping ability). "Dutch" (also a USAF vet) came out from Phoenix to take the car back to their shop, where Hal Baer is taking a thorough look at the entire system. You can’t beat that for service!
Thanks to
@rebilasphoto
for sending me this. The hardest working man in the history of the sport has moved on. I treasured our conversations and will never forget Bob. My sincerest sympathy to all the Glidden family.
If anyone is wondering why I didn't make the Hod Rod Reunion this year, here is my alibi. 10 hours of landscaping is enough for me, thank you. The yard looks so much nicer, and hopefully I scored major husband points here. Now, what to do with the leftover mulch...
I participated in a great cruise/show today, put on by Performance On Line. There were 250-300 cars, everyone got to drive around Lake Matthew's, and ended up at Evans Brewery in Corona. It was nice to put some miles on the Elco...and it handles/stops very nicely!
With the wet yard, we decided an indoor Easter egg hunt was appropriate. Plus, it kinda makes us look more responsible!? Everyone enjoy the day and stay positive.
I am wearing the World Series ring that Jim Campanis won with the Dodgers. He's my new best friend on the security staff! I also got to do some filming with John Hotchkis, both in the pit area as well as cruising the Elco around the Fairplex. Fun day!
Friday is Bob's Big Boy car show...and that would be a sin to miss. Soo...I'm now back to the stock brake pedal, and perhaps a June miracle will somehow make everything feel alright when it's time to slow down.
Apparently the dining room light that was here when we moved in - back in 2009- had reached its expiration date. Cindy bought Jenna a new lamp that supposedly came with "free installation". I should have seen this coming!
Today 91 adolescents (and their parents) became safer drivers thanks to
@DougHerbert
and all the great people
@PutOnTheBRAKES
. I’m always proud to be able to drive out to Pomona and share my thoughts on the program.
Getting closer to dialing-in the Elco, I swapped out the front wheels to ones with 1/2" less backspacing, changed the spacers on the rear wheels, and did a complete brake pressure test and rebleed.