Austin Prock ready to conquer The Strip in Vegas this weeekend

Back in the seat after two years away, Austin Prock and his Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel team are looking to gain some momentum at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The fourth event on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule and the first of two races in the four-wide format, is only the third four-wide event of the young standout’s career.

Despite his two years away, Prock took the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster to the final round of the season-opening Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, Calif., and comes into this week’s race ninth in points but just 18 points out of fifth place. With two weeks since the NHRA Gatornationals and its heavy rain and cold conditions, Prock and his team have taken advantage of their time in the shop.

I’m looking forward to Vegas. It seems like it's been months since I’ve been in the seat, so I've got a lot of excitement built up to get bolted back into this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster,” Prock said. “Although, the two-week break was nice to get caught back up. We've got all the parts and pieces to succeed.”

The last time Prock raced at Vegas was 2019 when he was ousted in the first round of four-wide racing after qualifying 12th in the spring and when he started 10th at the fall race before losing to teammate and eventual event winner Brittany Force in the second round.

“We're going to try some different things this weekend so It would be great to get a good result to prove this Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team is heading in the right direction,” Prock said. “The Strip has always been one of my favorite tracks so to win there would be unbelievable. It being four-wide would even make it more special.”

Qualifying at the NHRA Four-Wide NHRA Nationals takes place Friday and Saturday with two sessions at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (PT) on each day. Eliminations are slated to begin at noon on Sunday. Racing action will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begins with qualifying Friday at 7 p.m. ET and continues Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.