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Jack Beckman named as John Force’s replacement driver for remainder of 2024 season

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra07/30/24SamraSource
Jack Beckman
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As racing legend John Force continues to work back from a crash he was involved in this summer, his replacement driver has been named for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

Former Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman will takeover the ride. Force’s Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS needed a capable wheelman, and he’s stepping up to the plate.

John Force Racing made the announcement via a video shared to social media, while NHRA.com shared the news, as well. The excitement is palpable for Beckman to get behind the wheel.

“Former Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman has been named as the replacement driver of John Force’s Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS for the remainder of the 2024 season,” NHRA.com reported, “in what the team is calling ‘Joint Task Force – Mission Championship.’

“With an NHRA championship still very much in play, John Force Racing President Robert Hight announced Tuesday that Beckman will make his debut in the Peak Camaro in this week’s non-championship event, the 47th annual Cornwell Tools ‘Night Under Fire’ at Summit Motorsports Park, where he and John Force Racing teammate Brittany Force in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet dragster will both compete.

“While Force continues to recover from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) suffered in a June 23 crash in Richmond, ‘Fast Jack’ will slide into the seat occupied by the 157-time tour winner during the season’s first nine races.”

All in all, it’s an exciting announcement, as the racing world continues to follow Force’s recovery. At least he’ll know his car is in capable hands, as Beckman will look to bring success to the team in the legend’s stead.

Meanwhile, the Beckman news follows another positive revelation, after Force was released from the Barrow Neurological Institute last week.

Now, the 16-time Funny Car champion will continue to work with therapists, as the next phase in the recovery process will be outpatient speech and occupational and physical therapy, which will address short-term memory and cognitive issues.

Alas, John Force is one of the best drag races in history with 157 career victories. He owns and drives for John Force Racing, and the team has won 20 Funny Car championships, and the racing world can’t wait to see him back in good health, as he works through his recovery.

On3’s Brian Jones contributed to this article.