Pictured (from left to right): Owner and Crew Chief of Beal Racing- Chuck Beal, President of AutoAnything – David Klein, and Driver of the Beal Racing Nitro Funny Car – Brandon Welch
San Diego, CA – Chuck Beal, owner and crew chief of the Beal Racing AutoAnything nitro funny car, landed in the emergency room late last week after becoming dizzy while working in the team’s San Diego-area race shop. After a battery of tests it was determined a congenital heart condition was to blame. On a strong recommendation from his cardiologist, Beal will undergo a procedure to install a pacemaker this week.
Beal considered calling in a replacement crew chief for the Topeka race, which is the team’s first scheduled NHRA Mello Yello Series appearance in 2016. However, he decided to withdraw from the event after receiving the blessing of sponsor AutoAnything.
“We are still going to make at least 8 races this season, and I’m just thankful to AutoAnything for their flexibility. At their core they are a family business and they treat us like part of the family,” said Beal.
Chuck was also encouraged by the outpouring of support when word got out to a few fellow racers.
“I called a couple close friends about tuning the car for me in Topeka and next thing I know Tom McEwen calls and tells me a pacemaker is the best thing that ever happened to him and to get it done ASAP,” said Beal. “I’ve had heart rhythm problems nearly all my life, so I’m hopeful I’ll be a new man after the procedure. I have a lot of racing left in me and my guys are ready to go mix it up.”
The team is still considering its options for which race will replace Topeka in the schedule.
ABOUT BEAL RACING
San Diego-based Beal Racing campaigns a 300+ mph nitro funny car on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team is owned by Chuck Beal and driven by 2016 rookie and Chuck’s grandson, Brandon Welch. After 45 years in drag racing, veteran driver Beal handed over the reins of the family race car to grandson, Brandon in 2015. Beal Racing is sure to be a focus of media and fan attention with a new driver continuing a storied family racing legacy. To learn more about Beal Racing visit www.bealracing.com, or tune in to NHRA competition on Fox and Fox Sports 1.