NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Stringer Performance driver and Top Fuel standout Clay Millican will not be driving the Parts Plus dragster for the remainder of this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk.

Millican has been suffering from a mild inner ear infection that has gotten worse and may impair his ability to participate in a safe manner for the rest of the race weekend. In his place, Doug Stringer, owner of Stringer Performance, has named 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year Austin Prock as his replacement driver on loan from John Force Racing to re-qualify the race car on Saturday and run the elimination rounds on Sunday.

It certainly wasn't an expected turn of events, but Prock jumped at the opportunity to race for the first time this year.

"It’s a shame that Clay is under the weather and won’t be able to drive his Parts Plus car this weekend, but I’m very honored for the opportunity," Prock said. "It definitely makes you feel good when another team calls you to fill in. Hopefully, I can do a good job for them. It’s been a really long time since I’ve been in one of these things, but I’m really looking forward to it. They say it’s like riding a bike, so hopefully, it comes back quickly and we can do some good for them.

Prock had a breakout season in 2019, winning a race and showing the makings of a potential star, but he didn't race for most of 2020 and has yet to make a Top Fuel appearance in 2021. This weekend will mark his first race since February of 2020, which was before the pandemic, which has Prock plenty excited. It's a difficult proposition jumping into a new car at a moment's notice, but Prock has embraced the challenge. He looked strong to open Saturday, going 3.764-seconds at 323.35 mph on his first pass of the day, putting himself firmly in the field.

"It’s hard to pass up an opportunity like this. I live, eat, sleep this stuff, and not driving the last year and a half has been tough," Prock said. "There’s a lot of things that are different about this car that’s going to take some adapting to, but I’m going to get my helmet on, get my game face on, and do the best I can. Hopefully, it’s a seamless transition for them and that will be a win right there."

Even qualifying would be a major victory, but Prock likes the potential of the Parts Plus dragster. After Sunday, though, Prock will be back to working on blowers on JFR's highly successful Funny Car teams.

"I’ll run this weekend and Monday morning I’ll be back to a blower guy," Prock said.

Millican will be receiving additional medical attention while in Norwalk and prepare to return for the upcoming NHRA Western Swing, which starts in Denver on July 16-18. He made a qualifying pass on Friday, going 4.905.