(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh)
By Logan Morris
The Pomp and Circumstance was on full display at the 47th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire in Norwalk, Ohio. The evening kicked off with a rousing patriotic intro by Summit Motorsports Park Owner, Bill Bader Jr. The evening served as another star-studded reminder of why it’s arguably the greatest spectacle in drag racing. The incomparable flames and fireworks show that took place Saturday night would have made even the most avid WWE fan impressed by all the glitz and glamour.
But, there was a focus on one team in particular during this one-night spectacular. John Force Racing was using this traditionally laid-back event for the very unique and serious purpose of getting 2012 NHRA Funny Car World Champion, Jack Beckman, re-accumulated with a Funny Car. The man known as “Fast Jack” is filling in for the injured John Force for the remainder of the season as Force continues to recover from injuries sustained in a crash at this year’s Virginia Nationals.
Beckman made clear to the packed house at “America’s Racetrack” that his focus is on getting the namesake of the team his 17th Funny Car World Championship as he steps back into a world he thought he was done with. The team made their focus known as well by getting Beckman and the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro on track more than any team during Friday’s test sessions and Saturday’s qualifying runs. Beckman did incredibly well for himself making it to the final round of Saturday’s Funny Car finals and coming up just short against Dale Creasy Jr. after suffering a mechanical issue. He would ultimately run an 8.766 ET at 85.51 mph.
While there’s certainly more work to be done, Beckman took a big first step in knocking off the rust. Ron Capps and his NAPA team took third for the evening after defeating Cruz Pedregon.
(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh)
In Top Fuel, Brittany Force won the evening in her triumphant return to Norwalk after she missed this year’s Norwalk Nationals to be with her father. She defeated TJ Zizzo in the final round with a 4.19 ET and will look to build momentum as the NHRA Countdown to The Championship closes in. Clay Millican defeated Antron Brown to take third for the evening.
(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr/Racing Refresh)
At the end of the night, fans were able to walk the track and take pictures with the drivers and their cars as Bill Bader Jr. handed out the trophies.
The NHRA returns in two weeks with the Lucas Oil Nationals In Brainerd, Minnesota, August 15-18, 2024.
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