Austin Prock will make his professional debut in Top Fuel at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals on Friday. The son of legendary tuner Jimmy Prock obtained his Top Fuel license during preseason testing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix and will race for John Force Racing in Pomona.

Prock became a late entry at Pomona and will drive a dragster tuned by Jon Schaffer and Ronnie Thompson. Thompson was one of the crew chiefs on Brittany Force’s Top Fuel dragster when she won the championship in 2017. The entire John Force Racing tuning braintrust will assist with tuning the dragster.

The rookie previously licensed in Funny Car while driving both John Force and Courtney Force’s Funny Cars. The team announced in its preseason release that Prock would obtain his Top Fuel license with an eye on securing sponsorship for the 2019 season. The team has yet to announce a sponsorship, but that will not keep the racer on the sidelines for Pomona.

He will compete alongside teammate Brittany Force, who is driving with new crew chief David Grubnic. The Advance Auto Parts team enjoyed a successful test session with a low e.t. of 3.70 seconds. Force followed up her championship season with one win in 2018 and hopes to bounce back with a new crew chief on board.

The Lucas Oil Winternationals begin Thursday with the professional categories getting under way Friday. The first Nitro session follows Pro Stock at noon Pacific. Tickets are available, or catch the action on FS1 at 3 p.m. Pacific.

