Jack Beckman Targets Second Win at NHRA Nationals BIR

Funny Car veteran Jack Beckman is heading into this weekend’s NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) with a clear mission: secure his second career win at the Minnesota track. The 2025 event marks the 40th anniversary of the NHRA’s visit to BIR, and Beckman, who won here in 2017, has been building momentum with consistent quarterfinal and semifinal finishes in the last three races.

“Brainerd has always been a special place for me,” Beckman said in a team release. “The fans are incredible, the track is fast, and we’ve had a car that’s been getting better every pass. I feel like we’re due for a win.”

Beckman, driving the Energizer-sponsored Toyota Camry Funny Car for John Force Racing, currently sits sixth in the NHRA Funny Car standings. His 2017 victory at BIR came in a dramatic final round against Robert Hight, and he has posted two runner-up finishes at the track since then. The 56-year-old Californian has been working closely with crew chief Dean Antonelli to refine the setup for the unique BIR surface, which is known for its high grip in cooler temperatures.

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This year, the NHRA has repaved the BIR concrete launch pad, a change that could level the playing field. Beckman’s team tested the new surface during a private rental last week, and early data shows improved 60-foot times. Additionally, Beckman has been using a new clutch management system adapted from teammate Austin Prock’s setup, which yielded a 3.87-second pass at 331 mph in the most recent event in Topeka.

“The car is responding better than ever,” Antonelli noted. “Jack’s feedback has been spot-on, and we’ve made some small but important adjustments to the fuel curve. If conditions hold, we’ll be in the hunt.”

Key Challengers and Race Dynamics

The Funny Car field is stacked with title contenders. Points leader Ron Capps has won two of the last three BIR events and is seeking his fourth consecutive win at the track. Matt Hagan, the 2024 champion, has been dominant on medium-altitude tracks like BIR, and current No. 2 Bob Tasca III has shown consistent low-3.90-second passes. However, Beckman’s recent head-to-head record against these drivers is even: 2-2 against Capps and 3-2 against Hagan this season.

Weather forecasts predict partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday, which should provide near-ideal conditions for the nitro cars. The NHRA will run three qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, followed by eliminations on Sunday.

The Road Ahead

For Beckman, a win at BIR would not only be his second at the track but also his first victory of the 2025 season. He last won overall at the 2023 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The victory would also bolster his chances of making the top three in the regular season standings, which would secure a better starting position for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“We’re not thinking about points right now,” Beckman said. “We’re just focused on executing our plan. If we do our job, the results will follow.”

With the BIR legacy event revving up, Jack Beckman’s quest for a second career win is one of the must-watch storylines of the NHRA Nationals. Fans can catch all the action live on FOX Sports 1 beginning Friday at 2 p.m. ET.