How the events unfolded at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas would seem unbelievable to a Hollywood movie producer.
Well, reality was better than fiction.
With his legendary boss John Force returning to a drag strip for the first time since he suffered a horrific wreck June 23,
Prock had a weekend he will never forget at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Prock set a single-season NHRA nitro Funny Car record with his 14th No. 1 qualifying position Saturday, then he all but clinched his first world championship by winning the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals on Monday. Prock clocked a 3.830-second elapsed time to defeat Paul Lee’s 3.982 in the final round.
This was Prock’s eighth victory of the season. Prock extended his points lead to 188 points over Jack Beckman, the substitute driver for John Force. Prock just needs to make one qualifying pass at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals on Nov. 14-17 in Pomona, Calif., to collect points and secure his first championship.
The final elimination rounds of the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals were postponed Sunday because of a lengthy cleanup from an oildown and cold weather conditions.
“Yeah, it was a long weekend – an odd weekend for sure, but a great weekend to have John back,” said Prock, 29. “We heard he was coming this weekend and all you want to do is put a smile on his face, make a good team effort, and we did exactly that. All three of our John Force Racing race cars were on fire this weekend. It definitely was the best total performance that we’ve had all season long. And to have John, his first race back, to see it and one of the coolest moments up until today was Q1. We go up there, John’s first run back, he’s up on the starting line, his race cars go low, low and second quick. And it was like, ‘Welcome back.’
“Then to top the weekend off, me and his daughter Brittany, we double up. Me and Brittany, we’ve been talking all year long about getting a double-up together. We’ve never done that because we’ve always raced against each other (in Top Fuel) and to get it done today. The good Lord was just looking down and gave us something to celebrate with John back.”
Prock’s latest victory parade consisted of wins over Tim Gibbons, Cruz Pedregon, Blake Alexander and then Lee. Despite his huge lead in the points standings, Prock isn’t about to celebrate a world championship just yet.
“Job is not finished. This category is so tough, so unpredictable. You never know. The job’s finished when the trophy is in our hands and when it gets to my hands it’s going straight to my dad’s hands,” Austin said. “We’re getting really close, but the job’s not finished. I’m excited that we won (Monday), but we still haven’t won the championship, and that’s our main goal this year is to win the championship.
“When I got in the race car at the beginning of the year, my dad (Jimmy, his crew chief) said, ‘I want a world championship.’ So, we’re getting really close, and to do it with my dad and brother (Thomas) all three of us Procks would be really special along with this whole team. I mean this team has just been lights out this year. Outstanding job by each and every one of them. They all carry their weight and pick up weight. If a guy’s behind or struggling, they all got each other’s back, and that’s what makes a team. We win and lose as a team, and we won as a team today.”
The only driver with a chance to deny Prock the championship is teammate Jack Beckman, who lost to Lee in the semis. Once it becomes official, the title will be the 21st in Funny Car for John Force Racing in addition to two in Top Fuel by Brittany Force. In addition to John Force’s 16 championships, the other Funny Car crowns belong to Robert Hight (2009, 2017, 2019) and Tony Pedregon (2003). Force’s years as No. 1 were 1990-91, 1993-2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2013.
“Painful,” Austin said about having to wait until Monday to finish the race. “Every time you get strapped in one of these things and they say delay, it just pisses you off … because you got to get in just such a different mindset to drive one of these race cars. It’s totally different from anything else I’ve ever driven in my life. All I want to do is stand on the gas in this thing. If they’d let me go stand on the gas again right now, I would. So, when you get all ready to go and getting ready to make a lap and then they say delay and then all of a sudden, you’re not even racing in the same day. So, yeah, it’s just been a long weekend, a lot of long days, a lot of long nights, but it was all worth the wait. We got the job done and that’s what counts most.”
Prock drove a Top Fuel dragster for JFR from 2019-23 before being handed the reins of the Funny Car early this year. He switched classes when Hight was sidelined by a medical issue.
“Today (was) weird. … We ran the semifinals and finals today. Brittany’s guys, they’re towing their car back. They’re making three runs, so they couldn’t even celebrate. My car, we’re not running, but we celebrated. But we’ll have to wait until later this evening,” Prock said.
Austin did acknowledge he’s quite aware of the mind-blowing things he has been able to do this season.
“It’s ludicrous. I always say I wasn’t even supposed to be driving this season, and then all of a sudden, we’re out here and really making a name for this team. It’s really special. I’m glad I’m a part of it,” Austin said. “I’ve had a lot of fun with the team this year and just the success that goes with it, it makes it even more special. Sh*t, I won (four) races before I ever got in this car. Now I got eight in one season. It’s pretty crazy, the success. I mean, it’s like we just go out there and we got our eyes on each run we make and when you try and live your racing life like that, I guess the success comes with it. So yeah, it’s been awesome.
“My dad was on a mission at the beginning of the year. I could tell. He made comments. My dad’s very quiet, very humble, and he made a comment at the beginning of the year. He said, ‘I want win the world championship.’ And when he said that I’m like, ‘Oh, boy, let’s hold on.’
“But to put it in real life is very special. So, we got a good shot at it. I’m looking forward to Pomona. It sucks we have another off weekend, but I’ll try and stay busy.”
