Prock, Medlen join Beckman/DSR team for 2015 Mello Yello season

Don Schumacher Racing will pair two of its newest and most experienced hires, veteran crew chief Jimmy Prock and friend and co-worker John Medlen, with 2011 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion “Fast Jack” Beckman for a full assault on the 2015 championship.

“I feel like Santa made an early stop and left three wonderful gifts under the tree,” said Beckman, who again will be driving a Dodge Charger R/T. “It’s been a while since we started the season knowing we had funds for the entire season, and to find out Jimmy Prock was coming on board, I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be driving for him one day. Then the third gift was when Santa dropped John Medlen off. John and I have a very special history. I’ve emceed the Eric Medlen Nitro Night Charity dinner for Sonoma Raceway the last two years and have become very close to John and his family.

“Having those two guys up in our crew chief’s lounge is just unbelievable. I feel when I go in there I’m going to want to ask for their autographs.”

Prock won Funny Car championships at John Force Racing in 2009 and 2013, and Medlen won it in 2003 with driver Tony Pedregon at JFR.

Beckman and DSR’s other six teams will test in Florida in mid-Janary in advance of the 2015 season-opening Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 6-8 in Pomona.