Funny Car points leader and reigning world champion Austin Prock claimed his second consecutive victory at Virginia Motorsports Park on Sunday, defeating John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman in the final round of the fifth annual American Rebel Light Virginia Nationals.
Gaige Herrera also secured a win in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the ninth of 20 races in the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.
The results of the Top Fuel final are currently under review.
Prock, driving his 12,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car, recorded a run of 4.061 seconds at 318.02 mph in the final round, narrowly holding off Beckman. This marks Prock’s third win of the season and 15th of his career. His path to the final included victories over Cruz Pedregon, Bob Tasca III and J.R. Todd.
The win comes at a crucial time for Prock, who had experienced first-round losses in his past two races.
The victory was particularly emotional as it occurred a year after legendary Funny Car driver and team owner John Force was involved in a severe crash at Virginia Motorsports Park. Prock also won on that challenging weekend last year and was thrilled to present another trophy to Force, who was in attendance.
“A lot of emotion for sure,” Prock said. “Getting to win last year, that was huge, and being able to take the Wally to John as a team, that’s what we wanted to do again today, and I’m happy that we could go back-to-back and get the job done for him.” Prock added that the trophy would be going home with Force.
“He does so much for me, and he’s given me an opportunity in a lifetime to live my dream,” Prock continued. “To win for him again today and be able to celebrate his health and have him back out at the racetrack and doing good and getting better every day means a lot for our team and all our partners and even NHRA. This sport is not the same without John Force. We’re very blessed to have him at the racetrack.”
Beckman, who moved back to second in points, reached his third final of the season and 75th of his career after defeating Jim Campbell, Paul Lee and Daniel Wilkerson. Prock now holds a 60-point lead over his teammate as the series approaches its halfway mark.
In Top Fuel, Shawn Langdon crossed the finish line ahead of Justin Ashley, but the final-round result is under review for a potential rules infraction on Langdon’s car.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera secured his second consecutive win at Virginia Motorsports Park, chasing down Angie Smith in the final. Herrera, the points leader, posted a run of 6.826 seconds at 198.79 mph on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki. Smith, who had a quicker start, finished with a 6.853 at 196.76.
This is Herrera’s third win of the season and 24th of his career, with all victories coming since the start of the 2023 season. He continued his strong race day performance, defeating Ron Tornow, Steve Johnson and No. 1 qualifier Brayden Davis to reach the final.
Despite Davis claiming the top qualifying spot in the last two races, Herrera maintained his dominance on race day, extending his points lead to 100 points over Matt Smith.
“I almost fumbled there in the final with my light,” Herrera said. “A 150-degree track is just insane, but NHRA did a phenomenal job and Andrew [Hines, crew chief] had my bike consistent all day. Angie had a fast bike, and I had a little doubt when I looked over before 1,000 foot, and I saw her and thought, This is a little too close, because the Buells always have the mph. So, when I looked over, I saw I was actually pulling away from her, (and) that was a good feeling.”
Smith reached her first final round of the season and 10th of her career after defeating Dystany Spurlock, Matt Smith and Richard Gadson.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will continue June 26-29 with the 19th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
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