Beckman's Firebird test

New rules, new sponsor and a new season weren't going to slow Jack Beckman down. Rain, on the other hand, did.
Beckman, along with a number of NHRA drivers, were at Firebird Raceway near Phoenix to test in preparation for the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series season opener at Pomona Feb. 7-10.
Beckman, a driver from North Hills, was 12th fastest in the rain-shortened test session over the weekend. He made only three passes Saturday and Sunday's sessions were cancelled.

"We've got an all-new crew, new paint scheme, and we're running the chassis we ran the midpart of last season, so basically everything is changed," said Beckman, an NHRA Funny Car driver for Don Schumacher Racing.
Ron Capps, another NHRA Funny Car driver for Don Schumacher Racing, was the fastest during the test at Firebird. Testing continues Monday and will end Wednesday, weather permitting.
"The reason we're staying in Phoenix for six days is just for the purpose of getting everything working well together," Beckman said. "NHRA has upped the nitromethane percentage, they upped the minimum weight, so, fortunately, we're not the only ones who have to adjust. Every team has to contend with the rules changes."
Capps was the only driver to post a lap in the 4.7-second range and have a lap over 320 mph. His best lap was 322.34 mph.
"Our DSR teammate Ron Capps definitely laid down the run of the day (Saturday) in Funny Car, so we know there's hope," Beckman said. "But right now we're dealing with a really finicky race track that hasn't given up many good E.T.s. In addition to that, the teams are chasing these new combos around."
Beckman's best lap was a lackluster 9.316 seconds and 76.26 mph.
"It's frustrating, though, not to unload the car, set low E.T. and then kind of just sit back with your arms crossed," Beckman said. "But everybody is having trouble getting down the race track. It's clearly not that we're off on the tune-up, it's just that all these new variables need to be attended to before we can get down the race track. And I think this track is going to be totally different when we come here next month for the national event.
"Once the rain clears, we've got Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to get after it. And not only will the car be getting faster, but all the guys on the team once they've worked together for a while will be getting faster. We're not where we need to be, but we've got the time to get there."
Here's a look at the times and speeds from Firebird:

1. 28 Ron Capps, Carlsbad CA, '07 Charger 4.785 322.34 322.34
2. 388 Jim Head, Columbus OH, '07 Solara 4.841 313.95 313.95
3. 347 Tim Wilkerson, Springfield IL, '07 Impala 4.969 249.67 249.67
4. 750 Del Worsham, Chino Hills CA, '07 Impala 5.216 216.62 216.62
5. 33 Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, '08 Charger R/T 5.228 216.31 216.31
6. 1 Tony Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 5.329 204.35 204.35
7. 319 Scott Kalitta, Ypsilanti MI, '07 Solara 5.432 195.11 195.11
8. ROCKS Jerry Toliver, Temecula CA, '08 Charger R/T 5.512 163.65 163.65
9. 3 Gary Scelzi, Fresno CA, '07 Charger 7.584 114.07 114.07
10. 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 8.646 84.44 84.44
11. TASCA Bob Tasca III, Cranston RI, Mustang 8.976 93.01 93.01
12. 5 Jack Beckman, North Hills CA, '07 Charger 9.316 76.26 76.26
13. 782 Gary Densham, Bellflower CA, '07 Impala 9.521 97.12 97.12
14. 71 Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg IN, '07 Impala 11.016 80.81 80.81
15. 999 Melanie Troxel, Indianapolis IN, '08 Charger 11.580 73.08 76.21