TASCA EXCITED FOR ROUND TWO OF RACING THIS WEEKEND AT FIREBIRD

Bob Tasca III can’t wait for this weekend. The freshman Funny Car driver gained his license at Firebird International Raceway just three weeks ago.

In Tasca’s world, three weeks can be a lifetime – especially when you qualify for your first event, win your first round of competition and sit fifth in the NHRA POWERade point standings.

“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.”

The three week journey for Tasca, from licensed to unlicensed, Phoenix to Pomona and back to Pomona, has provided a pressure cooker situation at times for the Motorcraft-sponsored driver and his newly assembled crew led by Mike Kloeber.

“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.

TASCA EXCITED FOR ROUND TWO OF RACING THIS WEEKEND AT FIREBIRD

Bob Tasca III can’t wait for this weekend. The freshman Funny Car driver gained his license at Firebird International Raceway just three weeks ago.

In Tasca’s world, three weeks can be a lifetime – especially when you qualify for your first event, win your first round of competition and sit fifth in the NHRA POWERade point standings.

“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.”

The three week journey for Tasca, from licensed to unlicensed, Phoenix to Pomona and back to Pomona, has provided a pressure cooker situation at times for the Motorcraft-sponsored driver and his newly assembled crew led by Mike Kloeber.

“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.

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. - Bob Tasca III

“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.”