Bob Tasca III and the Tasca Racing team completed the final step needed for entrance into the NHRA Nitro Funny Car class with a 4.96 second, 317 mph run during testing at Firebird International Raceway on Jan. 31. The run qualified Tasca’s NHRA license to be upgraded from Top Alcohol to Nitro Funny Car status.

“It has been a long test session,” said Tasca, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang. “A new car, new team and a tough track to deal with, but we did it. It was a big difference in acceleration compared to my Top Alcohol car. To run over 317 mph in under five seconds – it was incredible. We made great progress on our tune-up and the guys got up to speed on servicing the car. Pomona, here we come.”

 

Bob Tasca III and the Tasca Racing team completed the final step needed for entrance into the NHRA Nitro Funny Car class with a 4.96 second, 317 mph run during testing at Firebird International Raceway on Jan. 31. The run qualified Tasca’s NHRA license to be upgraded from Top Alcohol to Nitro Funny Car status.

“It has been a long test session,” said Tasca, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Shelby Mustang. “A new car, new team and a tough track to deal with, but we did it. It was a big difference in acceleration compared to my Top Alcohol car. To run over 317 mph in under five seconds – it was incredible. We made great progress on our tune-up and the guys got up to speed on servicing the car. Pomona, here we come.”

Tasca will start his run for Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the Nitro Funny Car class next week with the NHRA season-opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.

Motorcraft and Ford’s growing national network of Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Centers have partnered with Tasca Racing to launch a major marketing initiative for the 2008 NHRA season that will include primary sponsorship of the Shelby Mustang Nitro Funny Car of Tasca and Tasca Racing, along with a major interactive trackside presence at 14 NHRA events.