The problem never was that the Procks aren't the 'real deal'; it was Austin's attitude at the first of the year when the team was adjusting. People remember him throwing tantrums - and things- when he would lose. People watched him assault the pit Tahoe. Listened to him blame the NHRA for poor track prep and told fans who dared to criticize him to lump it ("They don't know anything anyway"). And at that time there was still quite a bit of resentment, deserved or not, regarding the Procks hauling ass over to Tasca with little or no notice to JFR.
What all of that accomplished is turning more than a few people from patiently waiting for Prock to adjust to the new team, different parts and such to rooting for them to go out in the first round. A bit of a crapping in their own cook kit scenario. But if you'll notice, Austin has calmed down, no longer goes ape if he loses and the performance level is slowly but steadily moving towards back where it was in the JFR days. And that's a good thing. The sport needs Tasca and it needs the Procks.