Bob Tasca III finally broke his public silence this week, offering the most detailed explanation yet of the move that reshaped the Funny Car landscape and sent shockwaves through drag racing.
In an exclusive interview with CompetitionPlus.com, Tasca addressed the hiring of the entire Prock family, his decision to step out of the driver’s seat, and why the move represents a long-term championship strategy rather than a short-term gamble.
Tasca, a third-generation automotive executive and professional drag racer, had avoided media appearances since confirming that the championship-winning Prock family would leave John Force Racing to lead his single-car operation.
The move immediately became one of the most significant personnel shifts in modern Funny Car history, raising questions about loyalty, competitive balance, and Tasca’s own future behind the wheel.
At the center of the decision, Tasca said, was alignment rather than opportunism.
“When you have a common vision of what you want to do long term and you’re not making decisions based on maybe what’s the best tomorrow, it kind of all fell into place,” Tasca said. “The Prock family’s long-term vision of keeping their family together and our long-term vision of building a championship caliber platform—it was really a perfect scenario for both families.”
Tasca made clear that he did not initiate the courtship that ultimately dismantled the Prock family’s long-standing home at John Force Racing.
Instead, he said the earliest conversations came from the next generation.
“The kids made the initial moves,” Tasca said. “My sons Austin and Cameron started talking to Thomas and Austin. That’s where the concept really started.”
Those conversations reframed the opportunity from a traditional driver or crew chief hire into something broader and more permanent.
Tasca said he would not have exited the driver’s seat for a partial move involving only one member of the Prock family.
“For me, it was an all or nothing deal,” Tasca said. “I would never have made that decision for just one of the family members.”
The result is a wholesale reset of Tasca Racing, built around the leadership of Jimmy Prock, his sons Austin Prock and Thomas Prock.
Tasca said the family’s internal chemistry was as important as their technical résumé.
“The Procks want to keep their family together, and that’s the harsh reality,” Tasca said. “There were other opportunities, not just with us, but they chose this one.”
That choice came with a significant financial and structural commitment.
Tasca said his organization is making a multi-year investment in infrastructure, including dynos, chassis operations, and technology, aimed at building a championship-caliber platform rather than borrowing one.
One misconception Tasca wanted to correct is the idea that the Procks simply transported their championship-winning operation intact.
“This is not a turnkey situation,” Tasca said. “We don’t run John’s parts.”
Tasca detailed that his program uses different blocks, manifolds, superchargers, and cylinder heads than those employed in the championship-winning Funny Car program the Procks previously oversaw.
As a result, Prock is starting over, adapting his proven methodology to a different mechanical foundation.
“Jimmy’s learned a lot from my setup,” Tasca said. “It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t consistent enough, but we ran as good as anybody against them for the last three years.”
That inconsistency, Tasca said, ultimately drove his willingness to make such a sweeping change.
“We had a great two-year run winning races,” Tasca said. “But we didn’t have the consistency to run for the championship year in and year out.”
Tasca pointed to recent seasons where his team posted top speeds but failed to convert performance into sustained championship contention.
“Nobody’s done it better than Jimmy Prock,” Tasca said. “He’s the gold standard.”
Tasca said his expectation is that it may take a short adjustment period, but not long.
“I won’t give them more than a couple of races,” Tasca said. “These guys will have this car running hard.”
Beyond personnel, Tasca emphasized that the move is anchored by long-term manufacturer and sponsor commitments.
He confirmed a multi-year extension with Ford Motor Company, along with renewed long-term agreements with PPG and BG.
“I went to all of my key sponsors and said, ‘If I’m going to do this, I want to know we’ve got a long-term commitment,’” Tasca said.
He said those agreements, combined with seven-figure annual investments from the Tasca family, ensure the program is designed for sustained success.
“This is all to do one thing,” Tasca said. “Win the championship.”
While Tasca has stepped away from driving for now, he was clear that his racing career is not over.
“I haven’t retired,” Tasca said. “I just filed for separation from the race car for a season or so.”
Tasca said the long-term plan includes fielding a second Funny Car, potentially allowing him to return to competition alongside Austin Prock.
“We are aggressively pursuing sponsorship for a second car,” Tasca said. “It is our mutual goal for Austin and I to race together.”
He said the timeline is uncertain but realistic.
“I even believe we may get a couple races in at the end of the year with a second car,” Tasca said.
Tasca said his decision to step back reflects the realities of balancing elite drag racing with running a nationwide automotive group.
“I’m on the road over 200 days a year,” Tasca said. “When you’re married to that race car, it consumes a lot of your time.”
Unlike many drivers, Tasca said race weekends do not provide recovery days.
“I get home Sunday night and I’ve got a 12- or 13-hour day stacked Monday through Wednesday,” he said.
Stepping out of the cockpit, he said, allows him to focus on sponsorship, funding, long-term strategy, and initiatives that only he can execute.
Tasca said his respect for Austin Prock as a driver played a central role in the decision.
“I wouldn’t have gotten out of the car for anybody active in the sport other than Austin Prock,” Tasca said. “That’s how much I think of him.”
Tasca described Austin Prock as the most complete driver he has seen in two decades.
“He’s as good as anyone I have seen in my career,” Tasca said. “Period.”
That confidence, he said, extends beyond performance to mentality.
“You’re not going to rattle that kid,” Tasca said. “He’s laser focused on winning.”
The move also reshaped the competitive narrative of Funny Car, particularly given the manufacturer implications.
Tasca acknowledged the significance of bringing a championship driver and crew from Chevrolet-backed success to Ford.
“It’s probably one of the most significant moves in Funny Car history,” Tasca said. “It’s a big deal for Ford, Tasca, and the Procks.”
Tasca said the move adds much-needed storyline depth to the sport.
“We need storylines,” Tasca said. “That’s what our competitors in NASCAR and F1 have done so well.”
He pointed to the potential matchups involving himself, John Force, Austin Prock, and Jordan Vandergriff as moments that can capture broader attention.
Despite online criticism directed at the Prock family, Tasca dismissed the backlash as irrelevant to their objectives.
“They left to keep their family together,” Tasca said. “That’s really what it comes down to.”
He said Austin Prock is fully prepared for the reaction from rival fan bases.
“He’s out here to win races,” Tasca said. “That’s it.”
Tasca said his role this season will be more visible than ever.
“You’ve seen more of me this year than any year racing,” he said. “I won’t have a helmet on.”
Tasca confirmed that while he is not driving, he remains licensed and plans to test the car.
“My license is in my pocket,” Tasca said. “That’s not going anywhere.”
He said a return to the cockpit remains part of the long-term vision once the program is fully established.
“Could you see Bob Tasca jump back in the car?” he said. “Absolutely.”
For now, Tasca said his satisfaction comes from building something designed to last.
“I’m more excited this season than any season of my racing career,” Tasca said.
“Our expectation is to compete for a championship,” Tasca said. “Period, end of the story.”
