Jack Beckman raced the new DSR chassis in the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger Funny Car to No. 5 in qualifying for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

He recorded a 4.151-second pass at 297.29 mph in his first run down Route 66 Raceway in Friday's only session because of a rain delay. The pass was good for No. 3 at the time. In today's two rounds, he posted a 4.159/287.78 (No. 4) and finally a 5.154/147.20, to earn No. 5.

Jack Beckman raced the new DSR chassis in the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger Funny Car to No. 5 in qualifying for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

He recorded a 4.151-second pass at 297.29 mph in his first run down Route 66 Raceway in Friday's only session because of a rain delay. The pass was good for No. 3 at the time. In today's two rounds, he posted a 4.159/287.78 (No. 4) and finally a 5.154/147.20, to earn No. 5.

“You know, it’s the first time we ever brought out this new chassis," said Beckman. "Changing pipe is not a big deal, changing all the weight around that we did was potentially a big deal. We unloaded, we were third low of the first session, second low of the second session and we went after it this last run. We saw some good numbers early. We threw more fuel at it, it dropped a cylinder and moved over, and now I know the steering is really responsive in this car because it was sideways twice and it still responded.

"I think we all were confident about coming in with that car and running well, but whenever you’re planning to change something or test something you always have high expectations. In the back of your mind you always think that whatever you’re going to do is going to be successful. The reality is that it isn’t always successful.

"So far, everything that we’ve done, the car has responded to. Even that last run, dropping a cylinder, it responded. We all know we can back down off that tune-up and be OK. So, it’s kind of a relief to know that everything that we were hoping for looks like it’s coming true here. We’re hoping for four win lights tomorrow and we hope that comes true."

Beckman faces Paul Lee in the opening round of Sunday's eliminations.