John Force's NH title hopes rest on Jack Beckman as Championship dream lives on for the Legend John Force his dreams of clenching another championship hinge on substitute driver Jack Beckman after the racing icon recovers from a brain injury at the Lucas Oil NH Nationals in Brainard Minnesota Beckman seized the wheel of Force's Peak and a freeze Chevrolet Camaro SS funny car for the first of an eight R tenure following Force's severe accident near Richmond Virginia in June John Ford a revered figure in drag racing boasts a record of 16 funny car championships and stands as the all-time wins leader however his recovery period has necessitated a temporary Trade of driver's seat to Jack Beckman the 2012 funny car Champion known for his own formidable track presence maybe controversially NH rules allow a substitute driver to earn points for the original drivers across a maximum of eight events this rule keeps the championship Within Reach for 4 if Beckman performs well in his first race as forces stand in Beckman showcased his performance by defeating Bobby bat in round one his first elimination win since 2020 this victory was particularly symbolic as it bore the historical weight of a 2010 defeat to bod's Father Bob bod at the same venue despite outpacing Ron caps in the standings moving Force into fifth place beckman's run ended in the quarterfinals against the events eventual winner Blake Alexander the performance at Brainard however was a promising start to what could be a vital series of races for forces's Championship aspirations it's still Jon's car nobody's replacing John Force Beckman stated via Auto Week honoring the legacy of the car's usual driver I get to shoe this thing for now we had a great hot rod it still blew a spark plug out but that's the best I've run in 4 years that's a good feeling adapting to that of Force's car has been a challenge for the Californian who unlike Force has different physical and Technical preferences when handling the vehicle John and I are different I weigh more than him we ride the clutch differently backing up for the burnout the guys are trying to figure out what the car wants to run quick down low with me like it did with John and we're still finding that stuff out Beckman explained he added optimistically every run we get we're getting closer it's been nearly 4 years since I stood on the throttle and I thought that feeling was something I'd never experience again though the circumstances that brought me back are regrettable the opportunity presented to me is beyond my ability to find words I'm not replacing Jon nobody could ever do that Jon is one of a kind and his impact on this Sport and my life cannot be overemphasized I know how fortunate I am to have been picked to fill in for John and I should be easy to spot in the pits I'll be the guy who can't stop smiling