Sometimes you know it is your day, even when you feel like the weakest link in the chain.

Jack Beckman is winning races like a seasoned veteran but he's the first to admit that he still has a lot of learning to do following yesterday's win in Denver.

"I think our car and our team would have won three races by now," said an elated Beckman. "I replaced Whit Bazemore (last year for the last five events). Tomorrow he can get back in and be one of the top three Funny Car drivers. And I'm on a steep learning curve. I've definitely been the weakest link on the team. So, to get that first win of the season, especially with the momentum that we've had over the last four or five races, I don't know that it would have come at a better time.

"We were lingering down there around 10th or 11th (in points) and with this [Countdown] format, I think it's three separate seasons: until Indy, four races after Indy, the last two. So, you do look at it slightly different, but the purpose is still the same. We want to win every race we come to.

"I am so spoiled that I drive a car that could win every race we go to. When I won Las Vegas last year I knew I was going to win that race. I felt confident all weekend. [We] struggled a little bit this year."

Beckman added another chapter to his growing driver's manual. He learned what it takes to win on the mountain.

Sometimes you know it is your day, even when you feel like the weakest link in the chain.

Jack Beckman is winning races like a seasoned veteran but he's the first to admit that he still has a lot of learning to do following yesterday's win in Denver.

"I think our car and our team would have won three races by now," said an elated Beckman. "I replaced Whit Bazemore (last year for the last five events). Tomorrow he can get back in and be one of the top three Funny Car drivers. And I'm on a steep learning curve. I've definitely been the weakest link on the team. So, to get that first win of the season, especially with the momentum that we've had over the last four or five races, I don't know that it would have come at a better time.

"We were lingering down there around 10th or 11th (in points) and with this [Countdown] format, I think it's three separate seasons: until Indy, four races after Indy, the last two. So, you do look at it slightly different, but the purpose is still the same. We want to win every race we come to.

"I am so spoiled that I drive a car that could win every race we go to. When I won Las Vegas last year I knew I was going to win that race. I felt confident all weekend. [We] struggled a little bit this year."

Beckman added another chapter to his growing driver's manual. He learned what it takes to win on the mountain.

"It was a real hot race track, the tune-up up here is completely different, the car sounds and feels different. I wouldn't say I felt really comfortable this weekend, but Todd (Okuhara, crew chief), Phil (Shuler, assistant crew chief) and the seven other MTS Dodge guys always gave me a consistent car.

"All those guys deserve wins. They get bonuses. The better I perform, the better their paycheck is. Hopefully this time they will treat me to dinner. I've been doing that the last four months."

The largest lesson Beckman is learning is that comraderie is worth its weight in gold.

"I think it's cool to have the chemistry that we've got between the three [DSR Funny Car drivers: Beckman, Capps and Gary Scelzi]. Ron was so gracious down there. And, no matter the fact that they're leading the points and just stretched their points lead, losing sucks and losing in the final is really tough to do. But he was so gracious when he came over. It actually looked like he was happy for us."