NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Less than a week after his first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car win, Austin Prock has a chance to keep rolling at this weekend’s NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year moved to the Funny Car ranks for the first time this season for John Force Racing, joining a successful team that also includes his father, crew chief Jimmy Prock, and his brother, Thomas.

He stepped in for Robert Hight, who stepped out of the car prior to the season to deal with a medical situation, and Prock has proven to be a natural piloting the 11,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS.

Prock has picked up two No. 1 qualifiers in three races and grabbed his first NHRA Funny Car win on Sunday in Phoenix, becoming just the 19th driver in NHRA history to win in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Now, he’ll aim to get his first Vegas four-wide victory just days after a monumental weekend.

“I’m excited to go to Vegas,” said Prock, who won the Charlotte four-wide race last year in Top Fuel. “I always love going there, and it’s a beautiful facility. I’ve always wanted to get a win there. We’ve got some good mojo, so hopefully, we can take advantage. I’m looking forward to four-wide, and I hope the fans are, too. Maybe we can get the job done this weekend. We’ve started the year strong, struggled a little bit [in Pomona], and had to get some revenge [last] weekend [in Phoenix]. When you’re getting to race with your family, there’s never a bad day out here.”

Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) won the coveted NHRA Wallys, and this season’s race will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 14. It is the fourth of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, and Prock is off to a great start, trailing points leader J.R. Todd by only two points heading to Las Vegas.

Things won’t get easier there in the unique and fan-favorite four-wide format, where Prock will also have to deal with the likes of team owner John Force, who won the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, defending event winner and reigning world champ Hagan, Ron Capps, Bob Tasca III, and Alexis DeJoria, but Prock is enjoying every part of this journey. Funny Car represents a huge challenge, and Prock has embraced that, especially working hand in hand with his family.

Prock was a recent guest on WFO Radio to talk about his win and his experiences in Funny Car

“I’ve wanted to race with my dad and brother my whole life, and I’m getting to do that, and we sure are having a lot of fun as a family,” Prock said. “I’m getting more comfortable every lap, but every time you think you’re comfortable, this thing does something crazy to you. Every time you think you have a handle on it, you don’t, and that’s what makes this category so tough. You’ve got to drive off your gut and instinct. Your car is talking to you the whole time you’re on the gas. These cars are no joke, and these are the hardest cars I’ve ever driven.”

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT on Friday, April 12, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 14. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 11 p.m. ET on both Friday and Saturday on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), leading into eliminations coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at FS1.
 
To purchase tickets to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets.