“Fast” Jack Beckman Day
Early Saturday morning neighbors, supporters, and devoted fans gathered at Browning Dodge to see legendary drag racer and Norco resident Jack Beckman receive the Key to the City from Mayor Kathy Acevedo, to celebrate a new day for the town.
Organized by the City of Norco and the Norco Area Chamber of Commerce, August 10 was proclaimed "Jack Beckman Day” in honor of the racing champion, Air Force veteran, and cancer survivor.
Having been recognized for his notable achievements at only 47 years of age, Beckman told the audience, “Something like this certainly is not what I set out to do with my life… Racing was such a passion. It was a natural progression to follow my dream. I never thought I'd ever have the successes had and receive this type of recognition."
In her remarks, Mayor Acevedo noted that “[Beckman] is another classic example of people that are dynamic and thrill-seeking [and] end up in Norco, Horsetown USA.” Joined by Norco City Council member Kevin Bash, Acevedo awarded Beckman a key to the city of Norco, California. Acevedo mentioned Beckman's racing accomplishments such as his winning the 2012 NHRA Funny Car Full Throttle Championship, and the NHRA Sportsman World Championship in 2003.
In his speech, Beckman took time to thank our country’s veterans and encouraged everyone to fill out postcards for soldiers who are currently hospitalized as a part of the program he supports, Mail for Wounded Warriors. Beckman himself is a veteran and was recently inducted into the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall’s “Wall of Achievers.”
Known in the drag racing community as “Fast Jack,” Beckman holds the NHRA 1,000-foot records for a time of 3.986 seconds and speed 320.58 mph. He also holds the retired record for quarter-mile at a speed of 333.66 mph.
As he has always been an active community member, Beckman has supported those who have worked to pursue a life of racing and, even prior to becoming a professional racer, began to teach at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School and has since instructed more than 7,000 students.
Throughout the day, the champion mingled with supporters, posed with fans, took photos with his family, and signed countless autographs, and even greeted guests from the seat of the Funny Car he drove 10 years ago, on display at the event courtesy of the NHRA Wally Parks Museum. Beckman also embraced his city of Norco in its entirety as he traded horsepower for horse power and climbed up on Buckwheat, a four-legged fan courtesy of Norco-based Jerry Lunde Show Horses.
Beckman was joined in celebration by his fans, including undefeated boxer Mikey Garcia, Miss Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo queen and princesses, Miss Norco Horsetown USA pageant contestants, and fellow cancer survivors. The event also hosted the American Cancer Society who raised money for the Norco Relay for Life through a raffle, with prized donated by the National Hot Rod Association, Don Schumacher Racing, and the American Cancer Society.
August 10th Will Forever By Known As "Fast Jack" Beckman Day In The City of Norco, Horsetown USA
Organized by the City of Norco and the Norco Area Chamber of Commerce, August 10 was proclaimed "Jack Beckman Day” in honor of the racing champion, Air Force veteran, and cancer survivor.
Having been recognized for his notable achievements at only 47 years of age, Beckman told the audience, “Something like this certainly is not what I set out to do with my life… Racing was such a passion. It was a natural progression to follow my dream. I never thought I'd ever have the successes had and receive this type of recognition."
In her remarks, Mayor Acevedo noted that “[Beckman] is another classic example of people that are dynamic and thrill-seeking [and] end up in Norco, Horsetown USA.” Joined by Norco City Council member Kevin Bash, Acevedo awarded Beckman a key to the city of Norco, California. Acevedo mentioned Beckman's racing accomplishments such as his winning the 2012 NHRA Funny Car Full Throttle Championship, and the NHRA Sportsman World Championship in 2003.
In his speech, Beckman took time to thank our country’s veterans and encouraged everyone to fill out postcards for soldiers who are currently hospitalized as a part of the program he supports, Mail for Wounded Warriors. Beckman himself is a veteran and was recently inducted into the U.S. Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall’s “Wall of Achievers.”
Known in the drag racing community as “Fast Jack,” Beckman holds the NHRA 1,000-foot records for a time of 3.986 seconds and speed 320.58 mph. He also holds the retired record for quarter-mile at a speed of 333.66 mph.
As he has always been an active community member, Beckman has supported those who have worked to pursue a life of racing and, even prior to becoming a professional racer, began to teach at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School and has since instructed more than 7,000 students.
Throughout the day, the champion mingled with supporters, posed with fans, took photos with his family, and signed countless autographs, and even greeted guests from the seat of the Funny Car he drove 10 years ago, on display at the event courtesy of the NHRA Wally Parks Museum. Beckman also embraced his city of Norco in its entirety as he traded horsepower for horse power and climbed up on Buckwheat, a four-legged fan courtesy of Norco-based Jerry Lunde Show Horses.
Beckman was joined in celebration by his fans, including undefeated boxer Mikey Garcia, Miss Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo queen and princesses, Miss Norco Horsetown USA pageant contestants, and fellow cancer survivors. The event also hosted the American Cancer Society who raised money for the Norco Relay for Life through a raffle, with prized donated by the National Hot Rod Association, Don Schumacher Racing, and the American Cancer Society.
August 10th Will Forever By Known As "Fast Jack" Beckman Day In The City of Norco, Horsetown USA