Beckman drives new DSR chassis to No. 1 at Brainerd; Battery Extender’s Massey qualifies No. 2 in Top Fuel

BRAINERD, MN – Jack Beckman arrived at Brainerd International Raceway on Friday with a new DSR chassis for his Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car, and crew chief Todd Smith and assistant Terry Snyder helped him produce the quickest time of the Lucas Oil Nationals to earn his second No. 1 qualifying position of the season.

Beckman, who was quickest after Friday’s first session, temporarily lost the top spot to Don Schumacher Racing teammate and points leader Matt Hagan until regaining it in Saturday’s first session with a time of 4.038 seconds at 313.37 mph. Beckman also earned the pole at the last NHRA event near Seattle two weeks ago.

In Top Fuel, Spencer Massey leads DSR’s three-car contingent heading to Sunday’s champion eliminations by qualifying No. 2 at 3.792-seconds. Defending NHRA world champion Antron Brown was No. 6 and Tony Schumacher was No. 7 for U.S. Army. All three have secured positions in the Countdown to the Championship six-race playoff that begins on Sept. 13 near Charlotte.