Rust can be a temporary setback; just ask one of drag racing’s incoming next-generation drivers. 

After sitting out for nearly two seasons, past NHRA Rookie of the Year Top Fuel driver Austin Prock thundered through the traps on the final day of the PRO Nitro Spring Training test session at Wild Horse Motorsports Park with the quickest run of the day, a 3.685, 333.66. Prock is tuned by the combination of Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler. 

“That was a pretty stout run,” Prock said. “We ended Nitro Spring Training on a high note; pretty happy with that. The first two days of testing were definitely testing. I was rusty and just getting all the crew to work well together, and the crew chiefs get dialed in as well.

“We made a nice lap in the heat and then made a strong lap there in the cooler condition. Really excited for Pomona and just can’t thank everyone on this team for busting their ass the last few weeks. They haven’t had a day off in about three or four weeks, so looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow with him and looking forward to getting to Pomona.”

The only other driver in the 3.6-second zone was Justin Ashley, as he blasted out a 3.691, 330.47, which stayed atop the leaderboard for much of the day. Leah Pruett made her quickest run of the final day with a 3.706, 330.47.

Iconic drag racer and 16-time champion John Force saved the best for last as he blasted out the quickest run in one of the more competitive Funny Car test sessions ever. 

Force turned the hounds loose as the sun started to warm up conditions with a 3.836, 335.40, over .02 quicker than his closest competition Matt Hagan, who made his run later in the day. 

“It’s great to back out here, back in the seat, back with my team, Danny Hood, Tim Fabrisi, all these young kids; it was a good couple of days,” said Force. “Four runs in the 3.8s for this PEAK Chevy, that’s really something that makes you feel good going into the season opener. I’m feeling like everything is falling back into place. The problems, they’re figuring themselves out. I feel good being out here; I want to race. That’s why I’m here. I’m ready to get going.”

Falling behind Hagan in third was Robert Hight, who was Friday’s top runner. After pushing out a head gasket earlier in the day with a brief fire show, Hight came back and laid down a 3.864, 334.82.

J.R. Todd was the first run down the track on Saturday with the new DHL Toyota Supra and set the early pace with a 3.866, 334.32.

TOP FUEL
1. Austin Prock     - 3.685, 333.66
2. Justin Ashley    - 3.691, 330.47
3. Leah Pruett      - 3.706, 330.47
4. Shawn Langdon    - 3.722, 314.17
5. Doug Kalitta     - 3.723, 319.14
6. Tony Schumacher  - 3.731, 329.20
7. Antron Brown     - 3.732, 309.42
8. Josh Hart        - 3.731, 306.88
9. Mike Salinas     - 3.741, 291.89
10.Clay Millican    - 3.819, 286.49

FUNNY CAR
1. John Force       - 3.836, 335.40 
2. Matt Hagan       - 3.858, 329.02 
3. Robert Hight     - 3.864, 334.82 
4. JR Todd          - 3.866, 334.32 
5. Ron Capps        - 3.884, 330.49 
6. Bob Tasca III    - 3.905, 329.18 
7. Cruz Pedregon    - 3.922, 322.81 
8. Alexis DeJoria   - 3.943, 325.22 
9. Tim Wilkerson    - 3.945, 323.13 

OVERALL BESTS
1. Mike Salinas     - 3.677, 296.31 
2. Steve Torrence   - 3.682, 303.89      
3. Austin Prock.      - 3.685, 333.66
4. Justin Ashley    - 3.691, 330.47
5. Leah Pruett      - 3.706, 330.47
6. Antron Brown     - 3.716, 303.31
7. Trip Tatum       - 3.718, 303.16
8. Shawn Langdon    - 3.722, 314.17
9. Brittany Force     - 3.722, 302.14
10. Doug Kalitta     - 3.723, 319.14
11. Tony Schumacher  - 3.731, 329.20
12. Josh Hart        - 3.731, 306.88
13. Jordan Vandergriff - 3.764, 321.58
14. Josh Hart        - 3.765, 322.50 
15. Clay Millican    - 3.814, 264.75
16. Doug Foley       - 3.918, 221.08

FUNNY CAR
1. John Force       - 3.836, 335.40 
2. Matt Hagan       - 3.858, 329.02
3. JR Todd          - 3.866, 334.32 
4. Robert Hight     - 3.864, 334.82
5. Ron Capps        - 3.874, 325.14
6. Bob Tasca III    - 3.905, 329.18 
7. Alexis DeJoria   - 3.912, 316.15
8. Cruz Pedregon    - 3.922, 322.81 
9.  Tim Wilkerson    - 3.929, 294.69 
10. Chad Green      - 4.296, 227.84