Jack Beckman, driver of the Aaron’s Dream Machine/Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, lost a final-round match today at the 24th-annual NHRA Northwest Nationals here, but considered the overall event a positive step in his 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

“It was a perfect day up to 275 feet into that final run,” said the 45-year-old Don Schumacher Racing driver who smoked the tires and lost traction in his final-round match with Tim Wilkerson. “And being runner up stinks, but considering how Saturday went and coming from our worst qualifying position of the season, it was a good day.

“We beat the number-four and number-five drivers and the numbers one and two went out early on the other side of the ladder, so we made up ground in the points standings.”

The Californian, sitting third in the Funny Car rankings, opened the day defeating Cruz Pedregon (fourth). His 4.153-second lap at 307.09 miles per hour easily topped Pedregon, who smoked his tires.

Next up was reigning champion John Force and Beckman registered a solid 4.168 run at 305.29 mph for victory. The semifinals brought DSR teammate Matt Hagan (fifth in the standings) and another quick run by “Fast Jack” of 4.160 at 297.42 mph secured the trip to the finals.
Beckman held an 11-4 career record against Wilkerson going into the final round, but the tire smoke at 275 feet (resulting in a 4.598-second pass at 238.64 mph) ended his day without a Wally.

“It’s frustrating getting this far and not taking home the trophy, but I am happy because we just ‘found’ our race car,” he explained. “It’s been hiding for two races (consecutive first-round defeats in Denver and last week in Sonoma, Calif.) and now it’s back.”