John Force Racing’s Jack Beckman, taking the provisional No. 1 qualifying position with a 3.828-second elapsed time at 334.82 mph, is set to claim second in the standings.
Beckman is standing in for John Force after the latter suffered a horrific crash in Virginia earlier in the year. NHRA rules allow the points accrued by Beckman to still benefit John Force, meaning the 16-time NHRA champion has all but secured the second position in the championship.
Beckman’s John Force Racing teammate Austin Prock has all but clinched the title. Prock’s decisive performance saw him make a qualifying pass at a blistering 3.842 seconds, reaching an impressive speed of 331.94 mph. The championship win holds particular weight as it marks John Force Racing’s 21st Funny Car championship, further cementing the team’s legendary status in the NHRA.
Both Beckman and Prock will secure the first and second positions when Saturday Qualifying is complete.
Reflecting on his win, Prock explained:
“When I got in the race car at the beginning of the year, my dad told me he wanted a championship.
“When it gets to my hands, it’s going straight to my dad’s hands.
“You don’t get shots to race with your family very often, or if ever, so to come out with our rookie year together and dominate like we have, it’s been an awfully fun ride, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“This is stuff you dream of.
“[I] was amped up [on Friday]. I was ready to go. I almost ran my dad’s foot over rolling into the beam. I don’t know what I was doing, but a lot of emotions are going through our heads right now.”
He added:
“It’s ludicrous what we’ve done this year.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be driving this season and then all of the sudden, we’ve been really making a name for this team. It’s really special, and I’m glad I’m a part of it. I’ve had a lot of fun with the team this year and just the success that goes with it. It makes it even more special.”
Previously known for his participation in Top Fuel, Prock transitioned into Funny Car racing unexpectedly, stepping in for Robert Hight, who is currently on medical leave. Prock becomes the first rookie to win the Funny Car championship since Cruz Pedregon in 1992.
Speaking to the media after taking the provisional number 1 qualifying spot, Beckman explained:
“First place when I last left Pomona (as winner of the 2020 Winternationals), first place now in my PEAK Chevrolet.
“That’s got a good ring to it. Friday at the Finals is always very interesting because the whole year has come down to one race and you can’t wait to get up there for the first run.”
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