NHRA’s defending Funny Car world champ Austin Prock returned to championship form in Las Vegas, picking up his first win of the season with a run of 4.009 at 316.01 in his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS to hold off a quad that featured runner-up Paul Lee, Matt Hagan and Dave Richards.

Prock dominated at Las Vegas in the fall of 2024 to all but clinch his first world championship, but the team made major changes on the car in the off-season.

It was a struggle to open the year, falling in the opening round in Gainesville, but the team has slowly gained momentum and it was capped off by a sterling performance in Vegas. He made the quickest run in eliminations, going 3.964 at 322.88 in an impressive semifinal victory and then finished it off with another terrific run in the championship round.

“We haven’t had the success that we had last year, but we’re still the same team,” Prock said. “We always expect to show up and win. We want to go set low E.T. every round, and we want to win every race, so when we’re not doing that, it’s hard to keep your head up when things aren’t going right, especially when your expectations are so high. So, for all of us to come together is great.
 
“It feels really good, man. Opening up in Gainesville, it just wasn’t a great weekend and we just struggled in Pomona after a good weekend in Phoenix, but just couldn’t put it all together. You just want to hold one of these Wally [trophies] again because you don’t know how long it’s going to take before you win another one.”

Lee finished as the runner-up thanks to his run of 4.042 at 311.77. It his second final round of the year, as he jumped into the points lead as well. Prock moved to third in points after winning for the second time in Las Vegas.

Saturday’s event schedule did include the latest edition Mission #2Fast#Tasty Challenge. Within the Funny Car class portion of that feature it was rookie Canadian driver Spencer Hyde (from Stratford ON) who rose to the occasion.

The class newcomer picked up the win with a run of 3.968 at 318.54 driving his Head Contractors & Engineers Ford Mustang. After not qualifying at the first two races, Hyde has made rapid improvements, including advancing to the “final four” at previous race – the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona.

That put him in the bonus race in Las Vegas and Hyde took advantage on in a major way, winning a quad that featured Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan and Chad Green.

The car has performed at a consistent clip the past two races and Hyde been on his game and he was thrilled with Saturday’s outcome as it marked his first major accomplishment in the NHRA ranks.

“It’s pretty cool. Obviously, we had a little rough start to the season — didn’t qualify in Gainesville, didn’t qualify in Phoenix — but we’re putting that behind us,” Hyde said. “We had a great outing in Pomona, going to the semifinals and obviously here with this win. I’m getting more comfortable in the car, getting some good, clean runs in.”

NHRA 4-Wide Nationals – Funny Car Class Summary

WIN: Austin Prock – 4.009 secs 316.01 mph (Career win #13)
R/UP: Paul Lee – 4.042 secs 311.77 mph
Low ET: Paul Lee – 3.940 secs
Top MPH: Paul Lee – 326.08 mph
Bump: 4.197
Entries – 19 cars

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