Jack Beckman ends NHRA winless streak at Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. —  Jack Beckman topped the funny car field Sunday in the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals to end a 54-event winless streak.

Beckman powered his 10,000-horsepower machine to the quickest run of the weekend, beating Del Worsham, Chad Head and Tommy Johnson Jr. Beckman with a 3.983-second run at 308.78 mph in his Dodge Charger R/T.

He won for the first since St. Louis in his 2012 championship season. It was his second victory in the event, third win at the track and 16th overall.

“I can’t guarantee we’ll win another race this season,” Beckman said. “I think we will, but I can’t say for 100 percent. But, I know for sure we’ll be better than we were today. Jimmy (Prock, crew chief) and the team will be even better the rest of the year because they’re getting better every race. All the little things are coming together and now the car is doing what they hope it will.”

Antron Brown won in top fuel, Larry Morgan in pro stock, and Andrew Hines in pro stock motorcycle in the unique event that features racing in a four-lane configuration. Brown and Beckman gave team owner Don Schumacher his 44th multiple-title event.

Brown claimed his second consecutive victory in the event, beating Steve Torrence, Richie Crampton and Clay Millican. Brown finished in 3.749 at 319.90 for his 48th career victory.

Morgan ended a 120-race drought, holding off Greg Anderson, Vincent Nobile and Jonathan Gray in the final round. Morgan drove his Chevy Camaro to a career-best 6.464 at 214.52.

In pro stock motorcycle, world champion Hines raced to his first win of the season and 39th of his career. He outran Eddie Krawiec, Scotty Pollacheck and Hector Arana Jr. Hines claimed his second Four-Wide victory and his fourth at the track with a 6.805 at 196.30 on a Harley-Davidson.