Could Jack Beckman return to Top Fuel in 2007? No one knows – including him.

“No comment,” Beckman answered when asked about it.

“It’s a no comment because I just don’t know. I’ve heard the rumor from two other people. I just don’t know. I’ve always wanted to be a professional nitro driver and I’ve always expressed that in all of my stories and interviews. I want to be a full-time nitro racer. If the deal comes through for this – it will be a Dodge Charger with all the same guys. We are working on the money end of things now. I think when the money end closes that we can answer the questions a lot better.”

Beckman pointed out that he’s never been told what class he has to run.

“Don [Schumacher] and I have been talking since 2004,” Beckman said. “Back then…it was a dragster deal which never materialized because of the timing and the sponsorship. I want to race for Don Schumacher Racing and I want to run a full schedule. I want to race a car that has a chance to race on Sunday. Hell, if they put together a fuel altered deal and it’s run by Don Schumacher…sign me up for it.”

Beckman’s leading backer Roger Comstock of MTS is said to have only one preference of car for his driver.

“I think he just wants to see me in a car that can win,” Beckman said. “To do that – you have to be on the whole tour with the right funding. I think the money will dictate where we end up.”

Which does Beckman think provides that best opportunity?

“I think right now the Funny Car class has a bit more depth of competitive Funny Cars,” Beckman said. “I think right now there is about 18 good Funny Cars. The dragsters are starting to close the gap.

“When you have new talent coming in like there is it will be good. I say ‘no comment’ to the rumors because I haven’t been privy to anything contracted. Nobody is getting any slower in dragster right now. If you say there’s 18 Funny Cars that can make a final round, then there are about 13 dragsters that can do the same thing right now.

“I’d say if you’re going to build a car, then I’d say a dragster is the best way to go right now. Keep in mind your goal is not to finish 15th. If you want to win in Funny Car – you have to beat the three Force cars, Capps, Scelzi and the Pedregons. If you’re Top Fuel you have to beat Kalitta, Bernstein, Schumacher and Dixon. There are eight guys in dragster that will rip you apart.”