SONOMA, Calif. — Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Funny Car team won the NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Sunday night. It was his first victory of the season and 10th in his career in the Nitro Funny Car class.
“First, I want to apologize to all of those Ford fans out there because it took way too long to get this Ford Mustang in the winner’s circle this season,” said Tasca. “The guys worked hard through the early and middle part of the season as this is what it turned into.
“You almost didn’t need a driver today. That’s how awesome that car ran. I’m so excited for Ford, Motorcraft and Quick Lane.”
In the final round, the Tasca-driven Ford Mustang was fastest off the starting line and blazed a 3.911 ET at 325.61 mph to defeat John Force. Tasca edged Robert Hight, who leads Nitro Funny Car this season, in the semifinals by a mere five feet. In his round one and two wins, Tasca clocked identical 3.875 ETs to set the tone for a triumphant day.
“It was an incredible weekend for our team,” Force said. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, but I’ve always struggled on the Western Swing as a racer. Winning in Sonoma has always been on my bucket list and to run so outstanding, I’m really proud of this team. To put those kinds of numbers on the board, it’s just incredible.”
Tasca III is from Hope, Rhode Island.
