Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tennessee
May 15-17, 2009
TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE SHELBY MUSTANG TEAM RUMBLE INTO THUNDER VALLEY THIS WEEK
Consistency and confidence are the keys to being a successful race car driver. Tasca and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team led by crew chief Chris Cunningham are confident in the strong performing Mustang Shelby and turning it into a consistent winning machine.
“I’m looking forward to getting to Bristol and posting some big numbers in our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang,” said Tasca. “This season has been exciting for the guys, for me as a driver and team owner and for Ford and Motorcraft when you know you can win every race that you enter. When you have that kind of confidence, you just want to keep stepping up to the plate. It’s only a matter of time before we’re going to hit a home run again and I hope that it will be in Bristol. I have a good feeling about the race.”
Tasca has fond memories of the 2008 race at Bristol. His confidence was boosted upon seeing the image of one of his heroes – Bob Tasca Sr., at the track. Once he saw that photo, Tasca III knew Bristol was a place where past, present and future meet.
“Last year the first picture I saw inside the timing tower was of my grandfather when he raced there in the Tasca Ford Funny Car. The history of NHRA racing includes great places like Gainesville, Indianapolis, Pomona and Bristol is always part of that list. I think Bristol is certainly one of those races that you would be proud to have on your winning race resume.”
When he’s not in his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang Funny Car, you can find Tasca watching races from his pits.
“Last year our pit was near the finish line,” said Tasca. “I would walk to the back of our pit which was next to the wall where all the race cars came by. It was a great view because you would watch the cars and then hear the echo coming off the mountain. Since the track is literally cut into the side of the mountain, the echo of the fuel cars is pretty awesome. It’s just a real cool place to race.”
Full Throttle Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 562; 2. Del Worsham, 443; 3. Tony Pedregon, 437; 4t. Jack Beckman, and Ashley Force Hood, 427; 6. Matt Hagan, 413; 7. Bob Tasca III, 375; 8. John Force, 363; 9. Tim Wilkerson, 349; 10t. Robert Hight and Mike Neff, 337.
Bristol Race Notes
- Tasca qualified eighth during last spring’s event at Bristol and lost in the first round to current points leader Ron Capps.
- Tasca remains seventh in points heading into the eighth race of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Tasca Funny Car Achievements
- First round win, defeated Melanie Troxel, February 10, 2008, NHRA Winternationals, Pomona, CA
- First time in the semi-finals, April 27, 2008, NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta, GA
- First No. 1 qualifier, March 14, 2009, Gatornationals, Gainesville, FL
- First win, March 15, 2009, Gatornationals, Gainesville, FL
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 Glidden 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. They’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 the greater Bristol, TN area.
Television
Saturday, May 16 – ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 6 p.m. (ET).
Sunday May 17 – ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 11 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 17 – ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
Satellite (Analog feed)
Friday, May 15: 10-10:30 p.m. ET (AMC 15/2K, 11740 horizontal/analog)
Sat., May 16: 8:30-9 p.m. ET (AMC 15/2K, 11740 horizontal/analog)
Sun., May 17: 7-7:30 p.m. ET (AMC 15/2K, 11740 horizontal/analog)
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 across six continents. With more than 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com
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