Chandler extends support to Infinite Hero Foundation for 2015 with DSR and two-time NHRA world champion driver Beckman

BROWNSBURG, IN – The Infinite Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing critical funding to programs that combat mental and physical injuries facing returning military heroes and their families, announced today the expansion of a unique partnership with Terry Chandler and Don Schumacher Racing for the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season with driver Jack Beckman.

Through funding from Chandler, who also again will fund DSR’s Make-A-Wish Funny Car team at DSR for driver Tommy Johnson Jr., the Infinite Hero (InfiniteHero.org) awareness program will expand from six events last year to the entire 24-race 2015 season with DSR.

Beckman, a two-time NHRA world champion living in Southern California, was ecstatic at the end of the past year when he learned Chandler would fund his DSR team for the entire upcoming season, and that his crew chief would be Jimmy Prock with John Medlen serving as the assistant on the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T.

Chandler, who lives in New Mexico, joined with her brother, Johnny Gray, to fund the DSR Funny Car he drove in 2013 that honored their late father, John R. Gray. When Johnny retired from full-time professional drag racing, she decided to continue with DSR to help provide awareness to special causes.

“Through the many years of my brother being involved with NHRA and me loving the sport too I wanted to give back to some deserving people who mean so much to me: children and our military heroes and their families,” Chandler said.

“Through both the Make-A-Wish and Infinite Hero teams last season, I was able to meet so many inspirational people being served by both organizations. To be able to fund both teams to raise awareness and support for these causes means the world to me. It brings so much joy to my life and I hope it inspires others to help too.”

After Chandler decided to return this year to back the Make-A-Wish Funny Car team, she generously added Beckman’s team to her fold.

Through Chandler’s support of the Infinite Hero and Make-A-Wish teams, there is no cost to either foundation to run the cars, enabling all of the funds raised at the track to be used toward their charitable purposes.

Last year, fans had the opportunity to support the Infinite Hero cause and receive a military challenge coin that had gone down the track with Jack. This year, a new edition of the coin will be available for purchase with a donation of $100 or more to Infinite Hero Foundation at the Oakley store on event midways during NHRA races and online at InfiniteHero.org.

Beckman will be available at races to sign and record the track time for coins after each run.

“The Infinite Hero program honors us by letting us help their wonderful foundation,” DSR owner Don Schumacher said. “Helping the Infinite Hero program is what makes being involved in NHRA drag racing even more special. We hope to raise a lot more money and awareness to help Infinite Hero help the brave men and women of our military who sacrificed so much for us.”

“The unique partnership with Terry Chandler and Don Schumacher Racing to run the car for six races in 2014, and all of the fans and sponsors who stepped up last season raised more than $150,000 for the foundation,” said Infinite Hero Foundation President and Oakley CEO, Colin Baden, who added the foundation has donated nearly $2 million to 10 different veteran service organizations.

“We are honored to continue the partnership for 2015 and couldn’t ask for a better spokesperson than Jack Beckman.”

Beckman, who enlisted at 17 in the Air Force and served four years, is steadfast in his support of U.S. military personnel and has regularly visited Veterans Hospitals since becoming a professional racer in 2005. He was presented with the U.S. Air Force Wall of Achievers honor in Enlisted Heritage Hall at Gunter Annex of Maxwell Air Force Base in May 2013 joining other enlisted men and women who have contributed to the growth and development of the U.S. Air Force.

“I’m such a huge believer in the Infinite Hero program,” said Beckman, who won the 2012 NHRA Funny Car world championship for DSR and the NHRA Super Comp world championship in 2003. “I was sold on the Foundation when I first heard about it. It’s more than a feel-good-thing, it’s empowering … helping our veterans get back to a new normal.”