Funny Car points leader Austin Prock rolled to his second straight win of the season on at Brainerd International Raceway, defeating J.R. Todd in the final round of the 43rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and putting the reigning world champion on the verge of the regular-season championship.

In the championship round on Sunday, Prock went a blistering 3.907-seconds at 321.50 mph in his his JFR/Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS, easily dispatching Todd, who ran into tire smoke early in the run.
 
With a commanding 242-point advantage over John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman, Prock will clinch the first NHRA regular-season championship – and the $150,000 prize – during qualifying at the world’s biggest drag race, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy.
 
It will mark yet another impressive honor for Prock, who now has six wins in 13 races this season and 14 since moving to the Funny Car ranks at the start of last year. 

On Sunday, Prock was stellar on the starting line, averaging a .047 reaction time during eliminations, including a brilliant .043 in the final round. He defeated Jim Campbell, Matt Hagan and Chad Green to reach the finals en route to his first career victory at Brainerd International Raceway.
 
“That was huge. Last year, I got beat on a holeshot and that’s something you never want to do. But we got it done today. I came in here with a chip on my shoulder and went out and executed our game plan,” Prock said. “In qualifying, I had a .006-second spread in reaction times and I felt good. This morning, all the stars aligned and I attacked the Christmas Tree, and had my best driving performance in either Top Fuel or Funny Car. That really makes me feel good going to Indy and into the Countdown. 
 
“We need to get into the playoffs and execute and just keep right on going. I don’t need to approach it any differently, but I need to make sure I’m on point. I hope this isn’t just a fluke, but I’m definitely hungry right now. Last year, I got a championship, but I wanted another one as soon as the banquet was over. That’s the mindset.”
 
Todd advanced to the finals for the second time this year thanks to round wins against Paul Lee, Ron Capps and Beckman, and will head to Indy sixth in points.

Saturday’s racing schedule at BIR did include the latest edition for the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Jack Beckman scored a victory in that four car shootout – his 3rd career title win in that series.

After topping Canada’s Spencer Hyde in round #1 — Beckman ran a 3.942 secs at 324.59 in the final to take the win-light over Matt Hagan.

NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals – Funny Car Class Summary

WIN: Austin Prock – 3.907 secs 321.50 mph (Career win #18)
R/UP: JR Todd – 9.126 secs 85.87 mph
Low ET: JR Todd – 3.852 secs
Top MPH: Austin Prock – 335.98 mph
Bump: N/A
Entries – 16 cars 

Posted with files by NHRA Communications & Bruce Biegler

Photos courtesy of NHRA