NHRA Funny Car’s Austin Prock continued his absolute dominant season run in the loaded category, winning his third straight race and seventh overall in an incredible 2024 campaign when he raced past defending world champion Matt Hagan in the final round of the Carolina Nationals held at state of the art – zMax Dragway in North Carolina.

After his final round run of 3.924 at 326.48 in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS — there appears to be no stopping Prock, who has opened up a commanding 129-point lead in the Funny Car ranks through the first two playoff races after delivering his 11th career win.

He reached the championship round on Sunday thanks to wins against Alexis DeJoria, Ron Capps and John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman. Hagan and Prock then delivered a thriller in the finals, with Hagan leaving first and going 3.958 at 324.98. But Prock was able to track the reigning champ down, adding another monumental performance in a season filled with spectacular runs and victories.

“We left the door open to get beat today a couple times and then my team made wholesale changes going into the semifinals, stuff I would say 95 percent of the crew chiefs wouldn’t change going into a round, and it went up there and flew,” Prock said. “It stuck. It was on a mission, and I did the same thing in the final round.
 
“I’m just trying to take it one moment at a time, one round at a time. And if you do that, you don’t get caught up in being the leader, being the chaser, just go up there and do the best that you can do, because each person on the team has a specific job to do, and they have to do it perfect to have the success. We’ll celebrate tonight and then get my head back in the game and go and try again, one run at a time.”

Hagan, who qualified No. 1, reached the finals for the 5th time this year and 92nd time in his career with round wins against Dave Richards and Bob Tasca III. Hagan was looking for a sweep of both Charlotte races this year. Tasca is second in points, while Beckman trails his teammate by 136 points.

Carolina Nationals Funny Car Class Summary

WIN: Austin Prock – 3.924 secs 326.48 (Career win #11)
R/UP: Matt Hagan – 3.958 secs 324.98 mph
Low ET: Matt Hagan – 3.832 secs
Top MPH: Matt Hagan – 333.25 mph
Bump: N/A
Entries – 14 cars

Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler
Photos courtesy of NHRA