Austin Prock voted NHRA Road to the Future Award winner Top Fuel driver joins current John Force Racing teammates as top rookie

Austin Prock voted NHRA Road to the Future Award winner
Top Fuel driver joins current John Force Racing teammates as top rookie

DETROIT (Nov. 19, 2019) – Austin Prock checked off nearly all his freshman season goals in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel ranks.

A bonus was being voted the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award winner.

Prock accepted the award Nov. 18 at the NHRA Awards Ceremony in Hollywood, California. Past winners of the rookie honor, which was established in 2002, include current John Force Racing teammates Robert Hight and Brittany Force.

“Congratulations to Austin Prock on winning the NHRA Rookie of the Year Award. Austin brings incredible energy and determination to every race and it has been great to watch his progress throughout his rookie season, including his his first win at Seattle. It’s great to have Austin on the Chevy team,”
said Mark Kent, Chevrolet’s Director of Motorsports Competition.

The third-generation driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster recorded his maiden victory at Seattle and advanced to the semifinals five times. In his season debut, Prock eliminated Force in the first round. The primary sponsors, impressed by the 24-year-old Indiana resident, have re-upped for the 2020 season.

“We had a great season,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished in the short amount of time we’ve been together so, hats off to all the guys for busting their butts all year long and giving me a shot to compete for wins and turn on win lights. I’m extremely proud of these guys. We’re going to have a good, long offseason to work on our race cars and come into Phoenix test with a fair shot.

“I think this Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet will be one to beat next year.”

Team owner John Force turned to veteran tuner Mike Green to work with Prock after seven events, and the team made consistent runs through the remainder of the season.

“Bringing in Mike was huge,” Prock said. “He told me we were going to take things slow and go step by step, so when it does start running good, we’re going to know exactly why it does. I’m so impressed with how good the team has come together and how well they perform.”

By the three-race Western Swing, the JFR entry had solidified a spot in the Countdown to the Championship. He posted a pair of semifinal appearances in the six-race playoff set. Eighth place in the final place standings didn’t match his championship goal, but there are more years.

“It’s been one heck of a year,” he said.

Prock will start on fulfilling his 2020 goals Feb. 7-9 as the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season opens with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California.