Austin Prock (right) and his family have left John Force Racing. (NHRA photo)

By Jacob Seelman, SWN News Editor

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Nov. 24, 2025) – In a stunning twist to the drag racing landscape that was first reported by Drag Illustrated last Friday, John Force Racing and the Prock family have gone their separate ways.

JFR officials made the news public Monday afternoon, meaning that the partnership which has produced the last two NHRA Funny Car championships with driver Austin Prock, crew chief Jimmy Prock, and assistant tuner Thomas Prock won’t chase a three-peat together in 2026.

“John Force Racing has been doing what we do for more than 50 years, and all the hard work preparing for the 2026 NHRA season continues as planned, with four race teams and the Force American Made machine shop,” said 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion and team owner John Force. “We appreciate the strength and continued backing of all of the great sponsors that support us, so we’re focused on the future that includes announcing additional partnerships in the coming weeks.

“We are very proud of our accomplishments with the Prock family. I wish them well and I understand that their decision to move on is just part of the business [of racing that] we’re in.”

From his position behind the wheel, Austin Prock utterly dominated the Funny Car category in both 2024 and 2025, with father Jimmy and brother Thomas turning the wrenches underneath him.

The now 30-year-old Prock drove to eight race wins a year ago and another nine this past season, with 22 combined No. 1 qualifying efforts as well, making back-to-back titles look easy in a loaded division.

Multiple drag racing insiders say the Prock family’s reported landing spot is a second team at Tasca Racing, pairing with veteran Bob Tasca III in a two-car tandem under the Ford Racing umbrella.

An official announcement from that organization isn’t expected until mid-January, prior to the beginning of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series campaign.