Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
25th Lucas Oil Slick Mist NHRA Nationals
Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Ariz
Februrary 20-22, 2009
TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE FORD SHELBY MUSTANG RETURN TO CONQUER FIREBIRD RACEWAY IN THE SECOND ROUND OF NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING
Firebird International Raceway holds special meaning Bob Tasca III, since he earned his NHRA Funny Car competition license at the Phoenix track just three weeks before the start of the 2008 season. With limits on testing and little experience, Tasca was eagerly anticipating the annual stop at Phoenix as a race where he would be able to capitalize on data and first-hand experience. All that went awry as Tasca was unable to qualify his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car during the 2008 Funny Car qualifying competition.
Fast-forward one year. Tasca comes to Phoenix with a full season under his belt; a technical alliance with Tim Wilkerson, who was the top qualifier one year ago; 24 test runs during the offseason, a third of which were logged at Firebird; and a strong season-opening showing at Pomona. Phoenix is a race that has been circled on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane calendar for several months.
“I’m looking to conquer Phoenix. Last year it was one of only two races [Richmond] that we didn’t qualify at, but this year I have a whole different attitude. The Motorcraft/Quick Lane team has a lot more runs under our belts in testing; we had some great runs in Phoenix getting ready for Pomona,” said Tasca. “This year it’s a whole different deal, we have a lot of data on Phoenix, so out of the gate we’re a lot more confident. We have the partnership with Tim Wilkerson, who ran great in Phoenix last year, and will share information this weekend. So I think our whole perspective on racing is different.”
Despite having increased experience, Tasca understands the unique characteristics of the Firebird race track.
“Phoenix is known for tire shake. It’s one of those tracks that’s really funny because some of the quickest runs in history have been put down in Phoenix, but it’s also a track during testing, where I think it took 85 percent of the field three days before they could make a full pass.”
Full Throttle Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 111; 2. Jim Head, 92; 3. Robert Hight, 78; 4. Gary Densham, 73; 5. Del Worsham, 57; 6. Ashley Force Hood, 56; 7. Bob Tasca III, 54; 8. Jack Beckman, 53; 9. John Force, 35; 10. Tony Pedregon, 34. 11. Mike Neff, 32 ; 17, Tim Wilkerson, 10
Phoenix Race Notes:
- In the off-season, Tasca tested at three different tracks: Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Phoenix. Of the 24 test runs, Tasca made eight runs at Phoenix.
- Firebird International Raceway is the track where Tasca earned his license on Jan. 31, 2008.
- Tasca formed a technical alliance with Tim Wilkerson for the 2009 season. Wilkerson was the No. 1 Phoenix qualifier in 2008 (4.775 seconds at 327.03 mph).
- Tasca’s fifth place qualifying effort at Pomona marks the fourth time he has claimed a top-five spot in qualifying. This first round win marked the eighth time he had advanced past the opening round in the Nitro Ladder.
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Notes:
- 2009 marks the second year Ford Customer Service Division brands Motorcraft and Quick Lane sponsor Bob Tasca III and Tasca Racing.
- Motorcraft® continues its relationship with NHRA, having sponsored Hall-of-Fame NHRA driver Bob Gidden and drag racing legend Kenny Bernstein, among others, in the late 80s and early 90s.
- Motorcraft® products strike the perfect balance of precision, quality and pricing. Manufactured to strict specifications, they install quickly and give the confidence of doing a job right the first time. Motorcraft is the preferred choice of Ford Motor Company.
- Quick Lane Tire® & Auto Centers provide the services your car or truck needs most, performed by factory-trained experts and on your schedule. You’ll never need an appointment and you’ll get service while you wait, even on evenings and weekends. We’ll take care of any make, or model using quality Motorcraft® parts. Give them a try and see why life is better in the Quick Lane®.
- Quick Lane offers routine maintenance and light repair services, such as oil and filter changes, brake repairs and tire replacement for all makes and models.
- Quick Lane celebrated the opening of its 500th tire and auto center in 2008. Visit www.quicklane.com to find any of the 12 Quick Lanes in Arizona.
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are recommended and approved 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 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 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. www.ford.com
TELEVISION:
Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at midnight (ET).
Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
SATELLITE:
Friday, Feb. 20, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)
Sunday, Feb. 22, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)
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