Austin Prock broke the Gainesville Raceway track record on Friday, securing the provisional No. 1 position in his NHRA Funny Car debut at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. He transitioned from Top Fuel to Funny Car this season, filling the seat for multi-time NHRA  champion Robert Hight, who stepped away for health reasons. 

Prock was joined atop the leaderboard on the first day by Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

The 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year displayed impressive performance, clocking in at 3.820 seconds at 334.65 mph in his Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS. If it holds through two sessions on Saturday, this achievement could mark his fourth No. 1 qualifier as a professional drag racer, a significant way to highlight his debut.

“When you’re running this quick, it’s right on the ragged edge, and you have to be perfect,” Prock said. “It’s been a lot to take in, but the way this car is running and the way my dad (crew chief Jimmy Prock) is feeling, it’s definitely been a fun experience. We’re all on the same page, and my whole family has the same passion for this sport. To be successful is one thing, but to do it with your family is really special. I’ve really been looking forward to this season, and this was a heck of a way to start.”

Bob Tasca III was right behind, going 3.829 at 337.75, with the speed mark setting a track record. Ron Capps took the third position with a 3.871 at 333.00.

Steve Torrence emerged as the provisional No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel, which positions him favorably for the upcoming Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, where he holds the No. 1 seed. The eight-car shootout features a big payout and bragging rights and also includes Doug Kalitta, Mike Salinas, Brittany Force, Justin Ashley, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, and defending Callout winner Josh Hart.

“It gives me more confidence going into tomorrow,” Torrence said. “The car is performing like we want and we’ve got a good car right now. Those two runs are a product of the last 1-2 years coming to fruition. It gives my team confidence as well, and it says a lot to be No. 1 (in the Callout). In this field, you’ve got some of the toughest competition out there. This place was packed today, and I look forward to putting on a show in front of these fans tomorrow.”

Langdon posted an impressive run to close out his day, jumping to second with a 3.697 at 332.43. Salinas’ 3.717 at 321.19 puts him third after two sessions. Racing legend Tony Stewart, who is making his Top Fuel debut this weekend, went 3.739 at 327.82 and is currently No. 7.

Enders, the defending NHRA Pro Stock champion began her title-defense by running to the top spot at a track which has gotten the best of her many times. Last season she lost in the first round after one of the most dominant perfermances ever when her car wouldn’t start.

“We’ve obviously not had a lot of great luck here,” Enders said. “We qualified No. 2, we got beat out by our teammate Troy Coughlin for the No. 1 spot last year. I went to hit the start button for the first round, and she did not crank, so the gator bite continued, but we’re determined to change that this weekend. This is one of the last tracks on the circuit we have left to accomplish, so it’s high on our to-do list. It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but it definitely means we’re going to give it every bit of effort we have.”

Herrera, who ran roughshod over the Pro Stock Motorcycle field last season, jumped on the competition early and often with a provisional No. 1 qualifier. 

“We started where we left off, and all the credit goes to my team,” Herrera said. “They’ve worked really hard in the off-season. I’m very happy with how I ran today. Everybody in this class has been working, and it shows. This season is going to be very exciting, and I’m really looking forward to it. Andrew (Hines, crew chief) works day and night in the shop, and that’s where we shine. He keeps pushing and pushing, and this team never stops working.”