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Where Are They Now? Miss Winston Jackie Becke

Here is an easy way to win a bet with your friend who thinks he knows everything about drag racing. Ask him “From 1998 to 2001, who has appeared in the most NHRA Winner’s Circles?”. Of course he will probably answer John Force or Warren Johnson. The real answer is Jackie Becke. Although she never took a trip down the quarter-mile and never won a drag race, Jackie Becke served as Miss Winston and appeared in almost every winner’s circle photo during that stretch of time. If you ask any racer during the days the NHRA was sponsored by Winston, they will say the most gorgeous sight on Sunday afternoons was Jackie Becke. Not just because she is beautiful but seeing her smile meant they had just won the race. We were able to catch up with the former Miss Winston and ask her a few questions about her tenure in drag racing and what she is doing now.

Q: How did you become Miss Winston?

Jackie Becke: I worked the Winston suite in California as a hostess and became good friends with the Winston executives. When they were looking for a new Miss Winston I suggested they use me…That was the first time that they hired a Miss Winston that didn’t live in North Carolina. They didn’t know if it was going to work or not since they all traveled together. It ended up working perfectly because I was able to arrange my flights around theirs and meet them in the different cities.

Q: How many years did you serve as Miss Winston?

Jackie Becke: I was Miss Winston from 1998-2001. Four years.

Q: Now that you are not actively involved in drag racing, what are you doing now with yourself?

Jackie Becke: I am a mom to a 7 month old and in nursing school.

Q: Do you miss being Miss Winston?

Jackie Becke: Yes, it was the best job I ever had.

Q: What are some of your fondest memories of being Miss Winston and being involved with drag racing?

Jackie Becke: I have so many great memories of my time with the races. Watching John Force win a race since he was always so entertaining, hanging out at the top end with all the safety safari, walking in the pits and seeing how happy the fans got when they were able to see and talk to their favorite driver. The joy in the drivers’ faces when they won a race.

Q: What do you not miss about drag racing?

Jackie Becke: I certainly don’t miss having to get on an airplane every other weekend.

Q: Even though you are not actively involved in drag racing do you still follow the sport?

Jackie Becke: Yes, that is one great thing about living in California. I am able to go to the first and last race of the year (in Pomona, Calif.). I have kept up with a lot of the friends that I made and it is really nice to be able to spend time with them. Drag racing has a great group of people; it’s like going home, where you’re always welcome.

Q: What are your plans moving forward and where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years from now?

Jackie Becke: I will hopefully have graduated from nursing school and will be working at a children’s hospital. I would also like to have another child since my son is the apple of my eye and I am loving being a mom.

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