Austin Prock has been around wild and unpredictable race cars for much of his life. Fortunately, he's been around John Force Racing long enough to understand sometimes the experience can be one in the same.

In a surprising move, JFR announced on Tuesday that Robert Hight would be stepping away from the seat of his Funny Car for undisclosed medical reasons, and Prock would drive until Hight returned. The timetable for the return was not defined in the team's statement.

Prock was going to be on the sidelines for 2024 after his primary sponsor, Montana Brand, revealed they wouldn't return to drag racing for 2024.

"My offseasons are usually interesting, and this one was no different," Prock told the CompetitionPlus POWER HOUR show on Tuesday evening. "I had no idea any of this was coming. It's a shame to have to see Robert have to step away but it's a heck of an opportunity for me to race with my family.

"It's been a whirlwind. There have been a lot of emotions up and down. It was mostly down. We had to step back from the dragster, and I really didn't even think I was going to be racing this year. I didn't find out until last Thursday. It was pretty late in the day. Talking with Robert, who's been a longtime family friend, it was a huge step in his life to step away. I've had to step away from my race car before, and it ain't easy.

"I am back in the seat, but it is bittersweet. I've always dreamt of driving the Funny Car, but not in these circumstances. It's been up and down and all around. I'm just ready to get to the racetrack and get things going."

 

 

What might surprise some drag racing fans is that Prock will not need to gain a crossover license from his existing Top Fuel driving credentials. He's been a licensed Funny Car driver all along.

Prock calls the Funny cars the equivalent of a non-winged sprint car on steroids.

"I've gone .93, but that's like a .73 in a dragster," Prock explained. "I'm pretty well caught up with [the the car] in the dragster. When you go a .63, it is not even the same racecar. It's a totally different beast. A .93 to an .83, is going to be a different beast. I am sure I will have my hands full. These race cars are not easy to drive.

"I was sitting in the car earlier this week, and looking down at the front tires, you could almost touch them. With the dragster, it's a mile out there. The shorter the wheelbase, the harder the drive. I'm sure I will have my hands full. It's a whole new beast."

 

 

A Funny Car is actually the first nitro car of any type that Prock drove. He first drove a fuel flopper in 2018, testing for Courtney Force at The Strip in Las Vegas.

"It was a blast," Prock said. "I fell in love with Funny Cars that day. I've always been in love with them. Once I stood on the gas, I knew I was at home. I always wanted to get back to it one day. This is my opportunity to do that."

Prock made two runs back in 2021. One smoked the tires at the hit, and the other resulted in a 3.93.

Taming beasts apparently runs in the family as his grandfather Tom built a legend on his exploits behind the wheel of Poncho Rendon's Detroit Tiger entry as well as the Castronova Brother's Custom Body entry.

As long as he could remember, Prock wanted to be like his legendary elder.

"He drove back in the 1970s and even lined up against Force," Prock said. "One of my dreams has always been to line up against Force. Hopefully, we are going to make that happen this year."

Prock's admiration is such that when the season starts in Gainesville this March, the Funny Car he drives will be adorned with Tom's permanent number - #374.

If Prock gets his way, the car will have a little Detroit Tiger logo like his grandfather did on the flopper he drove for Poncho Rendon.

 

 

"That's my way of presenting a little bit of a throwback," Prock admitted. "I've always wanted to have a throwback car to honor my grandfather. Maybe if we can win a handful of races this year, I can talk Force into it."

"This Cornwell Tools Funny Car looks awfully mean this year," Prock said. "I'm excited to sport those colors and look forward to getting it in the winner's circle as soon as possible."

Prock understands that if the track can hold it in Bradenton during the upcoming PRO SuperStar Shootout, he has a chance of running as much as a tenth quicker than his best.

"If the conditions are what I believe they are going to be in Bradenton, you are looking at mid-3.80s to get in the show," Prock said. "That's going to get my attention, and I know this car is capable of it. My dad and brother Thomas did a great job with that car last year. I believe this car, a championship contender last year, will pick up where it left off."

"I'm just fingers crossed that I can do a good job. Robert Hight is an incredible driver and I certainly have some big shoes to fill. I'm feeling a bit of pressure from that aspect of things. I think once I get my helmet on and get strapped in, it will be go-time."

Prock is taking over the reins of a Funny Car that has gone as quick as a 3.81. While some might be intimidated, Prock isn't. Getting thrust into tough situations is just another day in the office.

"I started my drag racing career, being thrown to the wolves... making three runs to the eighth mile in a Top Fuel dragster before we drug it to Pomona for Q1," Prock said. "I made my first full pull at a national event. I'm kind of used to this territory. Hopefully, it can go as well as it did back then."

 

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