BECKMAN SET FOR CHICAGO RUN IN NEW DSR-1 CHASSIS

NORCO, Calif. (June 2, 2010) - Jack Beckman and the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger Funny Car team arrive for this weekend's 13th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Joliet, Ill., to race the latest version of the initial 2008 DSR-1 chassis design.

With the original DSR-1 iteration put to pasture, Beckman is confident the new chassis will provide the improved performance the team needs to move up in the points and be assured a spot in the top 10 to contend for the class crown in the Countdown to 1 playoffs (the final six events of the year). Beginning this weekend, the schedule hosts four back-to-back events, followed by one weekend off, then the three-race Western Swing.

"This weekend will be the first event of four in a row, the first of seven in eight weeks, and we have a brand-new car," said Beckman, who is fifth in the Funny Car rankings. "We really looked at the big picture with this car and did a lot of things to take weight off and redistribute weight.

"All the things that we've done should make for a better car, but it's still an untested car. So, it's going to be a little bit of nail-biting, and not just on the first run but the first few races, because a different car can respond to changes differently. This is going to be a very, very steep and fast learning curve for us and I think (crew chiefs) Rahn Tobler and John Collins are up to the task.

"We're coming back to the Chicago area, which, in the match-race days, was the iconic place, and now Route 66 Raceway is one of the more iconic tracks. And we're going to see one of the largest Funny Car fields of the year, from all appearances. Route 66 has never let anybody down in terms of hosting Funny Car shows, and it doesn't look like it's going to disappoint.

"The paint scheme this weekend features Valvoline," added Beckman. "In our first race of this year with the brand-new Mail Terminal Services body, we put it in the winner's circle in Phoenix. I would love to get Valvoline their first win with their body on the debut of this new DSR-1 chassis."

Mail Terminal Services will continue to send boxes of post cards of support and encouragement, along with hand-out cards of DSR drivers, National Dragster and Drag Racing Action magazines to soldiers overseas. This year the program expands the opportunity to participate beyond just the NHRA fans and are including schools and service organizations. If a school or organization would like to write post cards of encouragement to the U.S. Troops, the request should be sent to mts.mfh@gmail.com. MTS will be pleased to send post cards for the project and signed handout cards from Funny Car driver Jack Beckman and a Certificate of Service for the school or organization.

To find out more about Mail Terminal Services go to www.mailterminals.com

BECKMAN RACES NEW DSR CHASSIS TO NO. 5 IN CHICAGO

JOLIET, Ill. (June 5, 2010) - Jack Beckman raced the new DSR chassis in the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger Funny Car to No. 5 in qualifying for the 13th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals today.

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.