TASCA EXCITED FOR ROUND TWO OF RACING THIS WEEKEND AT FIREBIRD
PHOENIX - It was three weeks ago that Bob Tasca III earned his NHRA
Nitro Funny Car license at Firebird International Raceway, and since
then, Tasca and his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
Shelby Mustang team have qualified for their first nitro Funny Car
race, won their first round, and now sit tied for fifth in the points.
Tasca returns to the site where his three-week journey started as round
two of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series heads back to Firebird this
weekend.
“I’m excited to get back to Phoenix, particularly
with the tune-up we have in the race car coming out of Pomona,
“ said Tasca. “We learned a lot at our test in
Phoenix and we have high expectations for the weekend.”
Pomona proved to be a pressure-packed week for the rookie team, but one
that gave them a solid base of experience and data for this round at
Phoenix and for the rest of the season.
“There’s no question that first event had everyone
on overload,” said Tasca. “We went into the event a
little uncertain on our tune-up, but now the team and my crew chiefs
have a chance to make decisions off of those solid runs.
“The first weekend did take a little edge off, but like my
crew chief said, here at Tasca Racing, we don’t just qualify
for an event and everybody’s happy. This is an environment
where we expect to win. We’re expected to win from our
sponsors and that’s what this whole team is built on. Until
we achieve those goals race in and race out, that’s what
we’re going to be fighting for.”
From the very beginning of putting this team together, Tasca and his
team have viewed each qualifying event day as one full of steps needed
to take to make it into the show on Sunday.
“This season is all about establishing a foundation one step
at a time,” said Tasca. “Not for one
second do you take for granted a second-round appearance, but just to
qualify for an NHRA event for even a seasoned driver is a challenge.
We’re going to go into Phoenix very focused on qualifying and
once we qualify, we can put ourselves in a position to win rounds.
“Nobody can guarantee a race win; nobody can guarantee a
first-round win. You can’t even guarantee qualifying for
these races. Going into Phoenix, we want to qualify solidly in the
pack, and go out race day and give ourselves a chance to win this thing
just like the other 15 drivers in the field will.”
News of Note:
- Tasca will make his second NHRA Nitro Funny Car start this weekend
- Tasca earned his license on Jan. 31, 2008 at Firebird International
Raceway
- Tasca’s best Nitro Funny Car run came in the second round
at Pomona: 4.955 ET, 310.63 mph
- Tasca is running a full season and competing for 2008
Rookie-of-the-Year honors
TV coverage: ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD (all times are Eastern)
1. Robert Hight
2. Cruz Pedregon
3t. Ashley Force
3t. John Force
5t. Jack Beckman
5t. Gary Densham
5t. Gary Scelzi
5t. Bob Tasca III
9. Tim Wilkerson
10. Jerry Toliver
Tasca returns to the site where his three-week journey started as round
two of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series heads back to Firebird this
weekend. 
