Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
United Association NHRA SuperNationals
Old Bridge Township Race Park in Englishtown, New Jersey
June 11-14, 2009
TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE TEAM SUFFER IGNITION MALFUNCTION DURING SEMI-FINAL RUN AT ENGLISHTOWN
Englishtown, NJ – June 14, 2009 – Two years ago in Englishtown, Bob Tasca III captured his first win in a Top Alcohol Funny Car. On that fateful day, Tasca caught the eye of Motorcraft/Quick Lane executives and secured a full-time sponsorship in a Nitro Funny Car.
Tasca had high expectations at the New Jersey track where both he and his family have had success. Tasca’s goal for the weekend – win in front of the hometown crowd and then drive Wally home to Rhode Island in his Ford Flex.
Rain cancelled Saturday’s afternoon qualifying session and the Nitro Funny Car field was set by the best qualifying times of the weekend. Tasca’s best time occurred on Friday afternoon when he posted a 4.166 second run at a top speed of 292.77 miles per hour. His efforts seeded him fifth in the 16-entry field and would face Jeff Arend in the first round on Sunday.
In their first meeting, Tasca defeated Arend by 0.0004 seconds, approximately two inches, to advance to the second round against John Force.
This was the fourth meeting of Force and Tasca during elimination rounds. Tasca trails Force in the win column by one and looked to even the score. Tasca defeated Force and would advance to the semi-finals against Ashley Force Hood.
The last time Tasca raced in the semi-final round was Gainesville earlier this season. Tasca has a 0-4 record against the younger Force and has lost to her twice in the last two races. Tasca fell short in the semi-finals against race runner-up Ashley Force Hood.
“We had an ignition failure in the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang Funny Car,” said Tasca. “As soon as I hit of the throttle it pulled 22 degrees of timing out of it at 0.1 seconds and then it went back to normal. But that brief moment ruined everything in the run. At the 60-foot mark, the Mustang was running at 0.984 seconds. That is impossible. The race car can’t go that slow under normal circumstance.”
Despite the ignition failure and semi-final loss, Tasca was pleased with the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang. This weekend’s efforts moved Tasca into seventh in series points.
“We have a great running hot rod,” said Tasca. “Chris Cunningham, Marc Denner and the entire team was flawless this weekend. If we didn’t have the malfunction, I think we would have won that race.”
Although the weekend didn’t have the same result from 2007, there was one similarity. Tasca hosted representatives from Ford Motor Company, Darryl Hazel – President, Ford Customer Service Division and Brett Wheatley – Director of Marketing, Ford Customer Service Division.
“It was my pleasure to come to the Englishtown race,” said Darryl Hazel, Ford Customer Service Division President. “The Motorcraft/Quick Lane team and NHRA are a perfect fit for Ford Motor Company. Our customers, dealers and distributors are here and we really believe that the Motorcraft and Quick Lane names are enhanced by the association with Tasca Racing and the NHRA.”
Tony Pedregon defeated Ashley Force Hood in the final round to win the United Association NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Race Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.
Full Throttle Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Tony Pedregon, 818; 2. Ashley Force Hood, 798; 3. Ron Capps, 792; 4. Del Worsham, 695; 5. Tim Wilkerson, 626; 6. Jack Beckman, 615; 7. Bob Tasca III, 587; 8. John Force, 558; 9. Cruz Pedregon, 546; 10. Matt Hagan, 545.
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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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