Fuel FC class racing at NHRA Maple Grove featured an all-John Force Racing final round as points leader Austin Prock powered past teammate Jack Beckman, picking up his sixth victory of the season at the 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals.

Prock, who also qualified No. 1 for the 11th time in 15 races, went 3.896-seconds at 332.51 mph in his JFR/Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS to get past Beckman’s 3.951 at 330.88. It extends the points lead for Prock, who won his second straight race and also earned his 10th career victory.

He defeated Mike Smith, Chad Green and Bob Tasca III to reach the finals, and then delivered another consistent run in the final round, becoming one of only a handful of drivers to win in both Top Fuel and Funny Car and Maple Grove Raceway. Prock’s lead now stands at 86 points over Tasca heading into the final five races.

“It feels great to rack up some points and get a little bit of a gap over second again. It definitely feels good,” Prock said. “This is the best way you can start out the Countdown – No. 1 qualifier, we got points almost every round and the car was flying today, and we ended up holding another Wally. Kudos to this Cornwell Tools team for allowing me to do this. 
 
“We saw the ladder last night and said we have two cars capable of meeting in the final round and that was the goal today and we executed perfectly. Jack drove his tail off today, and I’m really proud of him. He’s getting comfortable and becoming lethal in that car. He was mowing the tree down and that thing runs as good as any of these cars out here. It’s great to see him and the team having success right off the bat like they are.”

Beckman, who is driving for John Force, reached his first final since returning in Brainerd after defeating Joe Morrison, J.R. Todd and then Alexis DeJoria on a wild and memorable pedalfest.

Pep Boys Nationals Funny Car Class Summary

WIN: Austin Prock – 3.896 secs 332.51 mph (Career win #10)
R/UP: Jack Beckman – 3.951 secs 324.98 mph
Low ET: Austin Prock – 3.849 secs
Top MPH: Austin Prock – 338.43 mph
Bump: 11.57 secs
Entries – 16 cars

Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave DeAngelis & Steve Embling

For more Funny Car photos at this event visit LMLCMedia gallery: HERE