Austin Prock got a two-for-one deal on Saturday at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. On the last Funny Car run of the day, he drove the John Force Racing Funny Car to 3.860 seconds at 334.07 mph to secure his ninth No. 1 qualifier of the season. He also defeated Ron Capps to win his seventh #2Fast2Tasty title of 2024. 

Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Jerry Tucker (Pro Stock) also qualified No. 1 at the 13th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Like he’s done several times in 2024, Prock will look for a clean sweep of the weekend on Sunday, opening eliminations against Jim Campbell.

“It was impressive, but the conditions were coming to everybody,” Prock said. “Safety Safari did an outstanding job of getting the race track back into tip-top shape. I’m really proud of the team; we had a great day and were low in both sessions.

“I was nervous but a little excited to get another shot at a late run here because last night we threw up. We were kind of scratching our heads on why. It was really close to making it and it just didn’t go. (Today), it went right down there and made a really nice pass. We ended up with three more points, a Mission win, and another yellow hat – pretty proud of that.”

Bob Tasca III was second after going 3.868 at 334.98 in the final session, while Blake Alexander took third thank to Friday’s run of 3.874 at 331.61.

Torrence kept the No. 1 position on the strength of Friday’s 3.688 at 335.32, and for the four-time world champ, this marks his first Brainerd No. 1 qualifier. 

“This is a time where you really get up on your A-game and start working on trying to go win a championship,” Torrence said. “We have here and Indy left, and then it’s ‘katy bar the door.’ Everybody is going to be swinging as hard as they can and trying to go out and win a championship. We’re right in the thick of things, and we need to capitalize on every opportunity we have to stay a top three car and start the Countdown strong.”

Tony Stewart remained second thanks to Friday’s 3.688 at 332.18, and Brittany Force jumped to third with a run of 3.698 at 335.48.

Tucker earned his second career No. 1 qualifier of the year with a pass of 6.612 at 207.78. He’s coming off a semi-final finish in Sonoma.

“We knew we had it in us. We went to Sonoma, and we were probably the fastest car. I let the team down,” Tucker said. “We went over to Rock Falls and did some testing, and we were faster than Jeg, TJ, and Erica. Really, in testing, if you’re that fast, you’ve got a good racecar. When the car is that fast, it’s a lot of pressure on a guy not to mess up a good deal. Erica drove that car for five years, and there are no issues with that car. It’s the fastest car.

“The Elite team is something it’s hard to put your finger on. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Erica Enders has been great to me, Jeg has been right beside me. Anytime you have that many championships trying to keep you in line, it’s kind of hard to mess up. My team is good that works on my car, so it’s really just up to the driver.”

Enders is second with a 6.612 at 207.27 and Anderson qualified third.

Eliminations for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals begin at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway.​