Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
55th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
O’Reilly Raceway Park
September 2-7, 2009
Race 18 of 24
TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE RACING TEAM EXPERIENCE EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION IN SECOND ROUND LOSS AT INDIANAPOLIS
CLERMONT, IN – September 7, 2009 – After a long night of rebuilding the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang, Tasca and team left the 55th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals two rounds too soon.
In the second explosion in two races, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang had severe damage to the supercharger, windshield and body. Hoping to a mirror the Reading race result, Tasca and the team put finishing touches on the Mustang early Monday morning.
In the first round, Tasca was on the winning end of the Mustang battle when Tim Wilkerson dropped a cylinder when he hit the throttle. Tasca would face Robert Hight in the second round.
At the 800 foot-marker, about 3.56 seconds into the run, Tasca experienced a mechanical failure in the automatic safety system. Hight’s margin of victory in the second round was 0.0491 seconds, approximately 20 feet.
“The switch that saved us on Sunday, failed us on today,” said Tasca. “It is the switch that in the event of an explosion, shuts the fuel pumps and ignition off and pulls the parachutes. It’s designed to activate under an explosion. The switch must have been damaged in the explosion or malfunctioned.”
Tasca was unaware of the mechanical failure until he exited the race car and surveyed the race car.
“The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang was on a phenomenal run,” said Tasca. “I could feel it accelerate and it then felt like I hit a wall. I didn’t know what was happening, I kept my foot wide open and the race car was trying to accelerate.”
As the last race of the regular season, Tasca and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are looking to the future. The points reset heading into the final six races of the season.
“We’re leaving here fourth in the points going to Charlotte,” said Tasca. “We’ll make this momentum and we’ll take it all in stride. The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang was on a great run, definitely capable of winning that round and that’s satisfying.”
Regular Season Full Throttle Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Tony Pedregon, 1,364; 2. Ron Capps, 1,250; 3. Ashley Force Hood, 1,245; 4. Bob Tasca III, 1,061; 5. Jack Beckman, 1,027; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 1,014; 7. John Force, 993; 8. Del Worsham, 963; 9. Mike Neff, 928; 10. Robert Hight, 861.
Countdown to 1 Points Standings – Funny Car
Countdown to 1 Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Tony Pedregon, 2,110; 2. Ron Capps, 2,080; 3. Ashley Force Hood, 2,070; 4. Bob Tasca III, 2,060; 5. Jack Beckman, 2,050; 6. Tim Wilkerson, 2,040; 7. John Force, 2,030; 8. Del Worsham, 2,020; 9. Mike Neff, 2,010; 10. Robert Hight, 2,000.
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing on the Web
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/MQL_Racing
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MQLRacing
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 http://www.motorcraft.com/.
About Quick Lane
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane's® nationwide network of 530 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
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s 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 http://www.ford.com/.
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