Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Pomona, Calif.
February 5-8, 2009
For Immediate Release
DROPPED CYLINDER IN SECOND ROUND BRINGS EARLY EXIT FOR TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE TEAM DURING NHRA WINTERNATIONALS
Pomona, CA., Feb 10, 2009 – Mother Nature finally cooperated with the season opening NHRA Winternationals after five days of rain. Bob Tasca III, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang was eager to race in the second round elimination that took place on Tuesday morning.
Racing resumed on Tuesday morning and in the final pairing of Nitro Funny Cars, Tasca faced Ron Capps. Within one second of the run, Tasca felt one cylinder drop and steered his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang to the finish line in 4.25 seconds at 264.86 mph.
“Each cylinder in our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Funny Car V-8 engine produces over 400 pounds of thrust. About one second into the run, it dropped a whole cylinder on the left side. I knew it did because when it does that, the thrust isn’t balanced,” said Tasca. “The side of the motor that had all eight cylinders lit, had more force and it was pushing me to the wall. I was going down the track with about a half steering of input. I was turning it as far as I could turn it to keep it as much in the middle of the track as we could.”
“I’m disappointed not to win the race, but that’s why we come out here – to win. Crew Chief Chris Cunningham, assistant crew chief Marc Denner and the entire Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang team did a great job. Why these things put cylinders out, it’s hard to determine. We haven’t had this issue all weekend and it happened against us here in the quarterfinals. We’ll look at the data, make the adjustments and move onto Phoenix.”
Tasca leaves Pomona seventh in points. Ron Capps went on to win the 49th Annual Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals
In Saturday’s lone qualifying session, Tasca ran 4.14 seconds at 301.20 mph. During Sunday’s first elimination rounds, Tasca beat fellow Ford driver Mike Neff with a time of 4.12 seconds at 302.89 mph.
Current Nitro Funny Car Points:
1. Ron Capps – 2. Jim Head – 3. Robert Hight – 4. Gary Densham – 5. Del Worsham – 6. Ashley Force Hood – 7. Bob Tasca III – 8. Jack Beckman – 9. John Force – 10. Tony Pedregon
SPONSOR INFORMATION:
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are designed, engineered, and recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company's Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit http://www.motorcraft.com/.
About Quick Lane
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane's® nationwide network of over 500 facilities provides the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained technicians). Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit http://www.quicklane.com/.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. http://www.ford.com/
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