Funny Car points leader Austin Prock earned his fourth win of the season Sunday, defeating Matt Hagan in the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio.
Joining Prock in the winner’s circle were Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Cory Reed (Pro Stock) and John Hall (Pro Stock Motorcycyle).
Prock posted a 4.064-second, 318.54-mph run, edging out Hagan’s 4.099 for his first career victory at the facility and his 16th overall win.
“To get it done with the Force family back in the house, that was a big deal,” Prock said. “Winning in (Cornwell Tools’) backyard, sending the trophy home with them — I delivered the championship trophy to them this weekend, so to send them home with two pieces of hardware definitely makes me feel good.”
Prock reached the final by defeating Dale Creasy Jr., Bob Tasca III, and Ron Capps. Hagan advanced past J.R. Todd, Jack Beckman, and No. 1 qualifier Cruz Pedregon to reach his first final of the season and the 94th of his career.
Ashley secured his first win at Norwalk and second in as many races with a holeshot triumph over Clay Millican. Ashley ran a 3.931, 317.34, to Millican’s quicker 3.922, aided by a .027-second reaction time in his Scag Power Equipment dragster.
“It’s very exciting to get my first win here,” Ashley said. “Norwalk means a lot to me personally. My father won in Funny Car here in 2007, and ever since we started racing in Top Fuel, it was a dream of mine to win right here, and that’s what we did today.”
Ashley qualified No. 1 and defeated Scott Farley, Josh Hart, and Shawn Langdon to reach the final. He now trails points leader Tony Stewart by 77 points with half the season in the books.
Reed claimed his first career Pro Stock victory, defeating teammate Dallas Glenn in the final round with a 6.648 at 207.30 in his J&A Service Chevrolet Camaro. Glenn shook the tires at the start, allowing Reed to coast to the win.
“All I know is I got Dallas off the tree, which was a very big accomplishment for myself,” Reed said. “I struggled all day with lights, so I was proud of myself for coming around like that.”
Reed moved through Troy Coughlin Jr., Greg Stanfield, and No. 1 qualifier Greg Anderson to reach the final. Glenn, who has appeared in seven of the last eight finals, beat Val Smeland, Cody Coughlin, and Matt Hartford in eliminations.
Pro Stock Motorcycle veteran Hall returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2013, defeating Richard Gadson with a 6.880 at 196.67 aboard his American Rebel Beer Buell. Gadson launched with a .021 light, but Hall drove around him for his third career win.
“You never know if you’re going to get another one,” Hall said. “Matt Smith Racing is one of the hardest-working teams out here, and they get you to the winner’s circle if you do your job.”
Hall defeated Wesley Wells, Marc Ingwersen, and points leader Gaige Herrera before topping Gadson.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series resumes July 18-20 at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.
