NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Bob Tasca III will compete in the NHRA New England Nationals with support from longtime Tasca Racing backer PPG.

“My family has used PPG for many years,” said Tasca. “We share a great relationship. If it wasn’t for their support, we would not be racing this event. I’m excited to not only run their colors but be able to host over 200 PPG customers and guests during the race weekend at New England Dragway. PPG has always seen the value in NHRA Drag Racing, and they get the most out of each event.”

Tasca’s first racing memories behind the wheel happened at New England Dragway, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016.

“This is the first place I ever went down the racetrack, the right lane, in my 1992 Mustang GT that just came out of the shop,” Tasca said. “I’ll never forget the first time with a pair of slicks on, I think I went 12.3 seconds my first run down the track. Turn the clock forward a few years, and to be running down that same right lane in a 10,000-horsepower nitro Funny Car, it’s pretty special.

“My grandfather back in the 1960s was certainly part of the whole beginning of New England Dragway. To be racing there three generations later, it holds a special place in my heart. Now, with that all being said, this track has kind of kicked my [butt] in a fuel Funny Car. I’ve had some real weird races here. Hopefully, we’ve been able to shake off all those gremlins.”

Those special memories have Tasca excited to return to his home track to compete for his first Funny Car victory in front of a large number of family and friends. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event. The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live qualifying on Saturday and finals coverage on Sunday. The race kicks off a stretch of four straight race weekends in June and is also the ninth of 24 events during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

It marks the third race of 2016 for Tasca, who returned on a part-time basis this year after sitting out the 2015 campaign. Tasca, who has 11 final-round appearances, feels good about where his program is after a consistent effort at the most recent race in Topeka. He qualified 13th with a solid 4.00-second elapsed time and was consistently in the 4.00s, running 4.04 in a first-round loss to points leader Courtney Force.

But Tasca believes the potential is there for much more, especially after his team found some solutions to some minor issues following the weekend.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way my race car is running right now,” Tasca said. “We ran four 4-flats in a row [in Topeka] on five cylinders. If this thing is running on all eight cylinders, we’re going to be able to mix it up with the best of the best. That’s certainly what we’re focused on doing at the New England Nationals. We’ve really worked hard on setup and had a lot of help from a lot of people. The car is running good, it’s consistent, and when this thing fires on all eight cylinders, you can expect this car to perform very well.”

Tasca also stayed in the mix during another incredible Funny Car weekend in Topeka. A record 12 cars recorded three-second runs, with Tasca just missing out, and Matt Hagan set national e.t. and speed records en route to his second straight win. It’s a thrilling time to be part of the class, but Tasca is also excited about the challenge it presents.

Tasca is confident he can compete with the top names in the class, even on a part-time basis. It’s a list that also includes defending world champion Del Worsham, Tim Wilkerson, who has two wins this season, Jack Beckman, 16-time world champion John Force, Ron Capps, Alexis DeJoria, Robert Hight, and Cruz Pedregon. But the challenge and the chance to return to the winner’s circle is enough to motivate Tasca.

“This is what makes our sport special,” Tasca said. “Anybody who qualifies can win. Obviously, the more consistent your car is, the better it does and the better chance you have, but anybody can win. We’re going into Epping with an expectation that we can qualify and mix it up with the top guys in the field. If we can do that and put ourselves in a position to win on Sunday, anything can happen.

“I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about entering any race. Leaving Topeka, we are coming off three of the quickest runs of my career in just our second race of the season. We are really close to running at the top of the field.

“Running a part-time schedule can make it difficult to catch your stride, but things have really come together for our team. We are in a great place entering the New England race.”

Tasca and his PPG Shelby compete in races around the country, but bringing it back east to New Hampshire — and closer to home — is clearly meaningful for Tasca.

“I love racing in New England,” he said. “To be able to have so many friends and family get to experience the excitement of NHRA Drag Racing in their backyard makes for a fun weekend. I have so many memories racing at this track that I look forward to making a few more this weekend.”

Doing it at his home track and in front of a huge crowd would make it even more of a thrill. The atmosphere at the NHRA New England Nationals has been impressive during the first three years at the event, as a massive fanbase has thoroughly enjoyed a unique aspect of the track.

“These stands are as close as you can possibly get to the racetrack,” Tasca said. “I think that gives it a different vibe, a different energy than any other race that I attend. The pits are packed, and the stands are packed. When people go to this track and this race, they’re a part of the race that’s unlike any other race in the country. It’s cool to be able to say that’s my home track. I’m proud to be part of it, and it’s an exciting event.”

Following this race, Tasca Racing will head west to Illinois for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago in early July.

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 4, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.