Constantly improving Beckman, Infinite Hero team go to semis; Schumacher leads DSR Top Fuelers at Summernationals

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – Jack Beckman and the Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger R/T was the only one of seven Don Schumacher Racing teams to advance to the semifinals Sunday in the 45th annual NHRA Summernationals at Englishtown, N.J.

Beckman, who produced times between 4.01 and 4.08 seconds in four qualifying runs and started day with a 4.067 in the first round of eliminations, won a holeshot to defeat DSR teammate Matt Hagan in the quarterfinals before a mysterious mechanical problem ended his day in the semifinals against No. 1 qualifier and event winner Cruz Pedregon.

In Top Fuel, Tony Schumacher in the U.S. Army dragster defeated teammate Antron Brown and the Matco Tools team in the opening round but lost in the quarterfinals.

The Make-A-Wish Funny Car team received a special honor at the Summernationals by being selected as the NHRA Best Appearing Crew award.

The Summernationals is the last of three Mello Yello Series events in three weeks. The series is off next weekend before beginning a four-week stretch of four races at Bristol Dragway June 13-15.