Champion NHRA drag racer Jack Beckman will be the guest of honor on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Irwindale Dragstrip.

The NHRA Mopar driver, who was born in Granada Hills, California, and makes his home in nearby Norco, pilots the Valvoline NextGen Nitro Funny Car for Don Schumacher Racing in championship drag racing events across the country.


"We plan on presenting Jack with the 'Key' to the 'Strip on August 9," said Irwindale facilities manager Bob Klein. "This guy is one of our true local heroes, everyone loves "Fast" Jack Beckman. He's a real winner in all of our books, and this chance to tell him that right here at our little strip is a big deal for all of us."


The inscription will not only recognize Beckman as a great racer, but as an even greater human being.  A cancer survivor, Beckman has become a highly respected spokesperson in the fight against the deadly disease.

But Beckman won't be at the Irwindale Event Center 'Strip just for the glory. MoparMax.com is putting him to work as Thursday night's crew chief on their Maulin' Magnum race car, driven by young drag racing phenom and MoparMax.com Contributing Editor Alex Rogeo.
 
Backman has instructed over 7,000 students at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School since 1998, and he'll be giving Alex instruction and advice.