TASCA - WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
Sat, 2009-03-14 08:02
The same run last year would have ended in disappointment. .
This year, the run puts Bob Tasca III and his Motorcraft Mustang Funny Car on the provisional pole at the NHRA Full Throttle AC Delco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Tasca turned in a solid 4.124, 296.76 in the first qualifying session and then backed it up with a 4.189, 293.98 in the second session. While the second run was smooth from start to finish, it was the first run, despite issues which was fastest.
“The interesting thing on that (first) run, I never would have been able to make that run last year from one standpoint, I wasn't straight going into the first beam,” Tasca explained. “We've got a new guy backing me up and I was crooked. Shame on me, I should have picked it up earlier. I knew I wasn't in the right direction. I was pointing at the walls.”
The same run last year would have ended in disappointment. .
This year, the run puts Bob Tasca III and his Motorcraft Mustang Funny Car on the provisional pole at the NHRA Full Throttle AC Delco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Tasca turned in a solid 4.124, 296.76 in the first qualifying session and then backed it up with a 4.189, 293.98 in the second session. While the second run was smooth from start to finish, it was the first run, despite issues which was fastest.
“The interesting thing on that (first) run, I never would have been able to make that run last year from one standpoint, I wasn't straight going into the first beam,” Tasca explained. “We've got a new guy backing me up and I was crooked. Shame on me, I should have picked it up earlier. I knew I wasn't in the right direction. I was pointing at the walls.”
Last year, as a rookie, Tasca clearly would have let the issue disrupt the run. Not this year.
“I actually turned the wheel a half turn and rolled into the beam so the tires were pointing right, because I figured with these cars it lift the wheels off. From the hit of the throttle it was going to move me to center and it did just that. As I felt it start going to the center line, as a rookie it happened to me more than once, jerk it back and it washes out and knocks the tires off. I did more driving on that first run then I did on the second run. So, I didn't enjoy it as much. That last run I said to my son Austin, 'I could have put you in there.' It was as straight as an arrow.”
Tasca might not have enjoyed the run as much, but he is enjoying being the fastest after two qualifying runs. Sitting on the pole, even provisionally, is how he pays back his sponsor and team.
“The greatest gift you can give somebody is to believe in them and November 1st , 2007 I didn't own a race car, didn't have an employee, nothing and the Ford Motor Company, Motorcraft and Quick Lane believed, in me and my family, that we could build a program on and off the track. At the end of the day, I owe all the credit to the team on this hot rod.
“It makes me feel good, that even through these challenging time, the Motorcraft brand and the Quick Lane brand have really identified this sport as an integral part to their training, activation and hospitality.”
Tasca was joined at the top of the ladder by the Fords driven by John Force and Mike Neff.
This year, the run puts Bob Tasca III and his Motorcraft Mustang Funny Car on the provisional pole at the NHRA Full Throttle AC Delco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Tasca turned in a solid 4.124, 296.76 in the first qualifying session and then backed it up with a 4.189, 293.98 in the second session. While the second run was smooth from start to finish, it was the first run, despite issues which was fastest.
“The interesting thing on that (first) run, I never would have been able to make that run last year from one standpoint, I wasn't straight going into the first beam,” Tasca explained. “We've got a new guy backing me up and I was crooked. Shame on me, I should have picked it up earlier. I knew I wasn't in the right direction. I was pointing at the walls.”
The same run last year would have ended in disappointment. .
This year, the run puts Bob Tasca III and his Motorcraft Mustang Funny Car on the provisional pole at the NHRA Full Throttle AC Delco Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
Tasca turned in a solid 4.124, 296.76 in the first qualifying session and then backed it up with a 4.189, 293.98 in the second session. While the second run was smooth from start to finish, it was the first run, despite issues which was fastest.
“The interesting thing on that (first) run, I never would have been able to make that run last year from one standpoint, I wasn't straight going into the first beam,” Tasca explained. “We've got a new guy backing me up and I was crooked. Shame on me, I should have picked it up earlier. I knew I wasn't in the right direction. I was pointing at the walls.”
Last year, as a rookie, Tasca clearly would have let the issue disrupt the run. Not this year.
“I actually turned the wheel a half turn and rolled into the beam so the tires were pointing right, because I figured with these cars it lift the wheels off. From the hit of the throttle it was going to move me to center and it did just that. As I felt it start going to the center line, as a rookie it happened to me more than once, jerk it back and it washes out and knocks the tires off. I did more driving on that first run then I did on the second run. So, I didn't enjoy it as much. That last run I said to my son Austin, 'I could have put you in there.' It was as straight as an arrow.”
Tasca might not have enjoyed the run as much, but he is enjoying being the fastest after two qualifying runs. Sitting on the pole, even provisionally, is how he pays back his sponsor and team.
“The greatest gift you can give somebody is to believe in them and November 1st , 2007 I didn't own a race car, didn't have an employee, nothing and the Ford Motor Company, Motorcraft and Quick Lane believed, in me and my family, that we could build a program on and off the track. At the end of the day, I owe all the credit to the team on this hot rod.
“It makes me feel good, that even through these challenging time, the Motorcraft brand and the Quick Lane brand have really identified this sport as an integral part to their training, activation and hospitality.”
Tasca was joined at the top of the ladder by the Fords driven by John Force and Mike Neff.
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