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Important First-Round Match-up For Tasca in Brainerd

Monday August 11, 2008

 

27th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Race 16 of 24

Brainerd International Raceway

SATURDAY QUALIFYING

Brainerd, MN Aug. 7-10

IMPORTANT FIRST-ROUND MATCH-UP FOR TASCA IN BRAINERD
Rookie driver to face Worsham for second time this season

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 9, 2008) – Saturday qualifying at Brainerd International Raceway was crucial for Bob Tasca III, as the rookie driver entered the day without a recorded qualifying for the NHRA Nationals on Sunday.

After two very solid runs in the heat on Saturday, Tasca earned the No. 13 qualifying position, and will face Del Worsham in the first round. Tasca and Worsham have been battling it out in the point standings as of late, with Tasca entering this weekend two points ahead of Worsham, and now, entering tomorrow’s race, Worsham is unofficially two points ahead of Tasca.

“First round tomorrow is I think, without question, our biggest round this year,” said Tasca. “What a momentum shift today was for us after having a tough day on Friday. I’ve said it all year, that that’s what’s so great about this sport. You get to experience so many highs and lows, and to come off of a frustrating Friday night, and I emphasize the frustrating part, our performance today shows that we’re ready for tomorrow and to take on the field.”

Tasca laid down a 4.300-second; 283.01 mph pass the first time down the track to put his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang team in the field. While happy with that pass, but knowing the track could hold more, Tasca’s second trip to 1,000 feet resulted in a 4.242-second, 285.77 mph run.

“I know Chris [Cunningham, crew chief] has been trying some different things in qualifying because of the testing ban,” said the rookie. “In this sport it’s easy to get lost, because you’re dealing with such minor adjustments, and you can lose your way to a certain degree. Obviously, to not run well last night, was frustrating. But to come in today, and get from A to B both times in the heat with very good times, was really what we needed.

“Chris told me today that he doesn’t sleep well at night when we don’t qualify on Friday, and that what he wanted to do to the car came to him at 4 o’clock this morning,” said Tasca. “And it was a pretty dramatic change that we made in the bell housing. We were a little cautious our first run down the track because we weren’t in the show, and we posted one of the quicker times of the session. Chris said that he wanted to run a 4.27 the second time down the track, so to go out and run a 4.24 in the heat going into Sunday, is just a huge confidence builder for the team.”

Tasca and Worsham’s meeting in the first round tomorrow will be the second between the two drivers this year. They previously competed in St. Louis, with Worsham coming away with the round win.

“I’m as much a fan as I am a driver our here, and to see the way the ladder shakes out, it’s almost kind of destiny the way it works out. A lot of the drivers fighting to get into the top 10 are on the same side of the ladder. To lose first round would be devastating to our championship run, no question about that. To win first round and to carry that through a few rounds and pick up the trophy, that would put us into the top 10 solidly, and move us on to Reading. So it’s going to be neat.

“We’re looking at tomorrow’s run as one that could be a defining moment for our championship run, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” said the Rookie-of-the-Year contender. “With this being my first year, this is the first time that I’ve ever been faced with something like this, and it’s just exciting to be a part of this run.”

NEWS/STATS AT A GLANCE:

- Tasca earned the No. 13 qualifying position for Sunday’s NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

- Tasca is battling to earn a spot in the top 10 in the championship standings. He entered this weekend’s event in 11th place, two points ahead of Del Worsham in 12th. Now, headed into Sunday, Worsham is unofficially two points ahead of Tasca, moving up to 11th.

- SATURDAY:

- Qualifying run No. 3: 4.300 ET / 283.01 mph

- Qualifying run No. 4: 4.242 ET / 285.77 mph

- FRIDAY:

– Qualifying run No. 1: 4.771 ET / 190.51 mph

- Qualifying run No. 2: 4.780 ET / 173.21 mph

- Tasca will make his 15th start of the season this weekend in Brainerd

- Tasca is running a full season and for 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

- Tasca began putting together his nitro Funny Car team in November 2007, for debut at the 2008 Winternationals at Pomona in February.

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.

TV COVERAGE: ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD (all times are Eastern)

Saturday, August 9 Qualifying Highlights 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 9 RaceDay 11 a.m.

Sunday, August 10 Eliminations 7 p.m.

PHOTOS:

For competition photos, headshots and behind the scenes photos, please contact Alexis Kinch

MEDIA CONTACT:

Alexis Kinch
Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

Public Relations

PCGCampbell

Office: 313-203-7103

Cell: 313-737-8684

akinch@pcgcampbell.com

SPONSOR INFORMATION:

About Quick Lane

Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models. Quick Lane’s® nationwide network of over 500 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 www.quicklane.com.

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are designed, engineered, and recommended 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 www.motorcraft.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. www.ford.com

About Ford Custom Accessories
Ford Custom Accessories is a complete line of quality products focusing on wheels, electronics and appearance parts for Ford cars, trucks and SUVs. Genuine Ford Accessories (GFA) are warranted for: 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever comes first) or the remainder of a consumer’s 36-month/36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper, New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Contact your Ford Dealer for details, or for more information, visit www.fordaccessories.com.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease, which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. http://www.jdrf.org

FRONTSTRETCH LIVE AT THE TRACK THIS WEEKEND AT LOUDON!
Popular writer Amy Henderson will be tracking all the action at New Hampshire from inside the garage, giving you the stories you’re looking for with a special edition of our Newsletter planned over the weekend. It all culminates on Sunday with her special participation in our LIVE blog during the Lenox Industrial Tools 301, paired with our usual panel of expert analysts! It’s three days of going the extra mile for you … so we hope you enjoy it!

This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Tony Lumbis.

 

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