John Force forces immediate resignation of crew chief Jimmy Prock

With just two races remaining in the season and in the midst of a championship battle, John Force demanded the immediate resignation of crew chief Jimmy Prock after Prock submitted his resignation effective at the end of the season.

Force said he learned recently that an unidentified team had been contacting his team's personnel about job opportunities for 2015. He confronted Prock, who has been with John Force Racing since 2000.

"I approached him, and he couldn't give me an answer," Force said. "I said, 'Jimmy, I need to know if you're with me or against me.' We danced around for a few days, but I said, 'I need to know because I have sponsor contracts that have been signed. I need to know where I stand.' Jimmy Prock said, 'I'm probably going to leave at the end of the year.'"

Force said Prock turned in his resignation Tuesday effective at the end of the season, which concludes Nov. 16. "I told Jimmy Prock that I was accepting his resignation, but I was accepting it now," Force said. "I'll take it right now. So as of now, Jimmy Prock is no longer employed by John Force Racing."

Prock couldn't be reached immediately for comment.

Force said he doesn't know who will replace Prock. Force is in second place in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car standings with two races remaining -- Las Vegas on Oct. 30-Nov.2 and Pomona on Nov. 13-16. Force is 36 points behind leader Matt Hagan.

Force indicated there would be no changes on the other JFR teams -- Funny Cars driven by daughter Courtney Force and son-in-law Robert Hight and a Top Fuel entry driven by daughter Brittany Force.

Force's team has been through numerous changes lately, including the loss of longtime backers Ford and Castrol. However, the 65-year-old, 16-time champion indicated he is prepared to continue racing -- and continue leading his four-car team -- into the 2015 season.

"I feel I owe the NHRA and the sponsors and fans to race, and that's what I will do," Force said. "I want to make that clear."

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