Bob Tasca III
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Shelby Mustang
Nitro Funny Car class
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
30th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia
May 14 - 16, 2010
Race 8 of 23
TASCA TO START FOURTH IN SUNDAY’S NHRA EVENT AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY; TIES BEST QUALIFYING EFFORT OF 2010 SEASON
Commerce, GA, May 15, 2010 – During the hottest and most humid qualifying session of the day, Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang flexed their muscles and showed the competition and fans at Atlanta Dragway that they are determined to excel on Sunday and capture their third career win.
Continuous improvement was Tasca’s mantra for the weekend. In his opening pass, Tasca drove his black and red machine to the fourth quickest run of the session with a 4.230 second pass at 291.82mph. Later on Friday, Tasca improved his time with a 4.167 second pass at 299.06mph.
During Saturday’s early qualifying session, Tasca wowed the field with the quickest run of the round when he took his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang down the track in 4.151 seconds at 299.73mph.
“It was another successful day for our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team,” said Tasca. “We went out in the third session, in the heat of the day, and posted the fastest time of the session. That was a massive run under the track and weather conditions. Then in the last session, we smoked the tires, but truthfully, that didn’t surprise us because you have to try to find the other side - too aggressive - so on Sunday, you know where not to go.”
As the fourth seed, Tasca will face Jeff Arend in the first round on Sunday. Tasca has one round win against Arend, which came at Englishtown in 2009.
“The entire Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing team is ready for Sunday,” said Tasca. “Jeff Arend and his team are great competitors. When we get to the line on Sunday, we need to run as quick as we think we can, based on the conditions that are in front of us. It’s about doing what we know how to do and running a number that will make us happy.”
The hot and humid conditions posed problems for some teams, but crew chiefs Chris Cunningham and Marc Denner tuned the Shelby Mustang to make three solid qualifying passes in preparation for Sunday’s eliminations.
“When the conditions are hot like these past two days, it poses challenges for the crew chiefs and drivers,” said Tasca. “I’m sure there will be a lot of runs where the driver will have to pedal to get the car to go A-to-B, but it’s about getting a handle on the track and race car. We have a handle on both and we’re looking forward to going rounds on Sunday.”
Qualifying Order
1. Ashley Force Hood; 2. Robert Hight; 3. Ron Capps; 4. Bob Tasca III; 5. Del Worsham; 6. Jack Beckman; 7. Tim Wilkerson; 8. Bob Bode; 9. John Force; 10. Cruz Pedregon; 11. Matt Hagan; 12. Tony Pedregon; 13. Jeff Arend; 14. Jim Head; 15. Melanie Troxel; 16. Jeff Diehl
DNQ – Paul Lee
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing on the Web
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/MQL_Racing
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MQLRacing
Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorcraftquicklaneracing
Television
Saturday, May 15, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will air NHRA Race Day, at 10 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, May 16, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).
About Motorcraft
Motorcraft® offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended and approved by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers, independent distributors, and automotive parts retailers and are backed by Ford Motor Company’s Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
About Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane’s nationwide network will surpass 600 facilities, each providing 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 FordParts.com
FordParts.com allows customers to shop online, order and receive original equipment parts, connecting to a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership of their choice for the parts expertise, personal delivery assistance, and post-sale follow-up associated with a traditional purchase at a parts counter. FordParts.com is designed to support anyone who needs to find and buy original equipment Ford parts. Repair shops, body shops, fleets and do-it-yourselfers will all appreciate the speed and convenience of researching and purchasing Ford parts via this online portal, and the flexibility of choosing in-store pick-up or having the parts delivered. For more information, visit www.fordparts.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 about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, 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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