Momentum Built at 2026 NHRA Arizona Nationals with Top-10 Qualifying Effort

Tasca Racing continued its early-season development at the 2026 NHRA Arizona Nationals, showing measurable progress across qualifying before a competitive first-round appearance on race day at Firebird Motorsports Park. 

With Austin Prock behind the wheel of the Motorcraft Quick Lane Nitro Mustang Dark Horse Funny Car, the weekend evolved from early instability into a clear step forward in performance, culminating in a ninth-place qualifying effort. 

Fighting Through Friday

Friday’s two qualifying sessions presented immediate challenges as teams worked through inconsistent track conditions. 

In Q1, Prock posted a 4.452 ET at 295.46 MPH after dropping a cylinder early in the run. The issue forced him to pedal the car and manage a sharp move toward the centerline, salvaging a pass that placed Tasca Racing 13th. 

Q2 brought slight improvement, with a 4.427 ET. Prock made it further down track before encountering tire spin late in the run, requiring multiple steering corrections to keep the car in the groove. The team closed out Friday in 14th, continuing to gather data and evaluate conditions.

Breakthrough in Q3

Saturday’s first session marked a turning point. 

Prock delivered a clean A-to-B run in Q3, clocking a 4.041 ET at 320.05 MPH. The pass was Tasca Racing’s most complete of the weekend, demonstrating improved stability and power while signaling that the combination is capable of significantly more performance. 

The run vaulted the team into the ninth position and provided a working baseline heading into the final session. 

Q4 Setback, Top-10 Locked In

Momentum slowed in Q4 when the car dropped a left-side cylinder immediately at the hit, preventing a competitive run. Prock guided the car down track to a 9.246 ET, but the earlier Q3 performance was enough to secure the No. 9 qualifying position.  

First-Round Battle on Sunday

On race day, Tasca Racing faced J.R. Todd in the opening round. 

Prock gained the advantage at the starting line with a strong reaction time, but tire spin developed near the 330-foot mark, limiting the car’s ability to carry momentum down track. He recorded a 4.307 ET at 261.88 MPH, while Todd advanced with a 4.043 ET at 321.19 MPH. 

 Clear Progress Moving Forward 

Although the team exited in the first round, the Arizona Nationals provided a clear indication of forward progress. 

From managing early-cylinder issues and difficult track conditions on Friday to executing a 320 MPH pass on Saturday, Tasca Racing demonstrated both resilience and upward trajectory. The Q3 run, in particular, established a competitive foundation as the team continues to refine its setup. 

With a top-10 qualifying position secured and performance trending upward, Tasca Racing leaves Chandler with actionable data and a defined path forward as the 2026 NHRA season continues.