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Beckman (Funny Car), Dixon (Top Fuel) Score NHRA Wins for Team Valvoline
NORWALK, Ohio (June 28, 2009) -- Fast Jack Beckman, driving the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Dodge Funny Car, gave himself a special birthday present Sunday in the NHRA National event at Summit Motorsports Park.
He won the race.
Larry Dixon also put Team Valvoline in the winner's circle by capturing the Top Fuel victory.
Beckman, 43, claimed his second win of the season and the eighth of his career. He moved into fourth-place in the point standings.
Beckman's march to the final round included a victory over 14-time series champion John Force in the semifinals. Beckman went on to defeat Bob Tasca in the final round with a 4.315-second run at 277.54 miles per hour.
"We've been sliding down in points the last couple of weeks, so it was good to go from sixth to fourth," said Beckman. "Our goal is to be a top-five car by Indy (U.S. Nationals), and, more importantly, our goal is to be consistently quick come Indy."
Beckman's victory was also the 130th career national event win for team owner Don Schumacher.
Dixon drove his Alan Johnson Al-Anabi Racing dragster to his fifth win of the season, defeating Brandon Bernstein in the final round. Dixon ran a 3.981 at 295.54 to Bernstein's tire smoking 7.257 at 94.06.
"Four win lights at the end of the day, that's what counts," said Dixon. "There were certain rounds that were not pretty, but at the same time, we were the quickest car every pair. I'm just real thankful to be able to get this win."
Dixon moved into second place in the point standings.
Team Valvoline NHRA Race Results
NHRA Full Throttle Series
June 28
Norwalk, Ohio
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 2nd
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 4th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 10th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Next NHRA Event
July 12
Mile-High Nationals
Denver, Colo.
