28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
Race 6 of 24
Atlanta Dragway
Pre-Race Advance
Commerce, Ga. April 25-27
COMMERCE, Ga. (April 22, 2008) –This weekend’s NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway will mark, to the day on Saturday, five months since Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang team began putting together a program for the 2008 racing season.
“It’s been five months of hard work and long hours for everyone on my team, but we’re really excited about the progress that we’re making with the program and the car out on the track,” said Tasca.
After the series’ most recent stop in Vegas, the rookie driver carries the momentum he gained there, along with a 12th place position in the standings, into the sixth race of the season this weekend.
“Las Vegas was another stepping stone for us and for building this program from scratch,” said Tasca. “We’re thrilled with how the car ran and in just about every session, we were in the top three or four every time down the race track.”
While this weekend will be the first for Tasca in a nitro Funny Car at Atlanta Dragway, it’s a familiar stop on the schedule for crew chief, Chris Cunningham.
“For Chris, Atlanta was his best showing last season. His team ran a 4.71/330 mph, which was the best for the car he tuned all last year. Atlanta can give you some great conditions, but obviously it’s weather permitting. Chris knows Atlanta and has a lot of data on that race track from the years he’s been racing, and that will hopefully play into our tune-up.”
TASCA ON JOHN FORCE’S 500TH START THIS WEEKEND:
“It’s a big weekend for John. The guy is a legend in this sport. If someone lived to be 1,000 years old, they wouldn’t be able to accomplish what that man has in this sport and in his career. He has an amazing career going and he’s built an incredible company. It’s great to see how he has incorporated his family in his business. John has built his racing around his family, so to see him make his 500th career start with his family by his side, is just really going to be a thrill.”
DRIVER APPEARANCE
Prior to this weekend’s race in Atlanta, Bob Tasca III will make a stop in Dearborn, Mich. to participate in the “Take Your Child to Work Day” activities at Ford Motor Company’s Regent Court offices on Thursday, April 24. Tasca will spend two sessions talking to kids about the sport of drag racing and the importance of safety in the sport. There will also be Q&A sessions and autographs for the kids attending the event.
NEWS/STATS AT A GLANCE:
- Tasca will attempt to make his fifth start of the season this weekend in Atlanta.
- Tasca is 12th in the standings; 24 points out of the top 10.
- Tasca is coming off of his best qualifying effort in the series’ last event in Las Vegas, with earning the No. 3 qualifying position.
- He has made four starts this season, making it to the second round in Pomona and Vegas, and first rounds in Gainesville and Houston. He missed the field in Phoenix by one qualifying position.
- Tasca is running a full season and competing for 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year honors
ABOUT THE DRIVER:
Bob Tasca III is a 32-year-old rookie in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing nitro Funny Car class. Tasca competed the past three seasons in the Alcohol Funny Car class. Tasca is also a third-generation Ford dealer from Rhode Island.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The Motorcraft/Quick Lane interactive consumer display will be in Atlanta this weekend in the Manufacturers Midway. Fans can enter to win prizes and participate in the Motorcraft Holeshot Challenge, the Quick Lane Challenge and the Custom Accessories “Instant Win” Game. Tasca will visit the display area each day to participate in the games with fans.
Hours of operation:
Friday, April 25: Display Opens 9 a.m. Display Closes: 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 26: Display Opens 8:30 a.m. Display Closes: 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 27: Display Opens 9 a.m. Display Closes: 3 p.m.
TV COVERAGE: ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD (all times are Eastern)
April 25: Qualifying Highlights 6 p.m.
April 27: NHRA Race Day 11 a.m.
April 27: Eliminations 7 p.m.
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
(1) Ashley Force, 326, (2) Tim Wilkerson, 321, (3) Cruz Pedregon, 294, (4) Robert Hight, 290, (5) Tony Pedregon, 285, (6) Jack Beckman, 280, (7) Gary Densham, 260, (8) John Force, 229, (9) Del Worsham, 219, (10) Ron Capps, 204, (11) Jim Head, 187, (12) Bob Tasca III, 180
28th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
Race 6 of 24
Atlanta Dragway
Pre-Race Advance
Commerce, Ga. April 25-27
COMMERCE, Ga. (April 22, 2008) –This weekend’s NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway will mark, to the day on Saturday, five months since Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby 
