Topeka, Kans. – Bob Tasca III of Hope, RI popped open the roof of his Ford Mustang, basking in victory under the Heartland Motorsports Park lights. Tasca scored his second NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car Wally in a delayed running of Sunday’s elimination rounds, but the feeling of winning in the final edition at Topeka was instant.
“I’ll tell you one thing: It’s an emotional win for me,” Tasca said. “This team has worked so hard all year.
“Todd Okuhara and Aaron Brooks… I don’t know what to say. They’re incredible guys to race with. For BG, for Ford – so proud. I’m going to the Vegas dealer, Ford dealer meeting, this week and I’m bringing all the Ford dealers and all the Ford fans the trophy.”
Tasca earned his second-consecutive Wally in “America’s Heartland,” as he fended off John Force in the 2022 finals. This season, he squared-up across from three-seeded Matt Hagan for the Wally. While Hagan initially executed a quicker reaction time, Tasca skyrocketed to a win by eight-hundredths of a second – a 3.885 second pass at 332.26 mph. While Sunday’s elimination rounds were threatened by rain earlier in the day, Tasca’s crusade to reach the finals was not.
As the four seed, Tasca bested Blake Alexander by a starting line advantage in the first elimination round – his first win against him in 2023 and 14th of his career. Theron, Tasca evened the career scorecard against 12-seeded Alexis DeJoria in the quarterfinals by never trailing and crossing the line by nearly a 16-foot gap. The semi-finals against the top-seeded Robert Hight had a similar outcome, and it set the stage for Hagan – who coincidentally posted an identical time of 3.933 in his round.
While the series’ most recent Western swing was a trying one for Tasca and his Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, it had not come without a bright outlook – he was No. 3 qualifier in Denver, No. 2 in Seattle, and he earned his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season in Sonoma. Tasca has since been adamant about the capabilities of the team, as it now celebrates its second victory of the season to add to Tasca’s New England Nationals Wally from June.
“On behalf of the entire Motorcraft team, we congratulate Bob on his win in America’s Heartland at Heartland Motorsports Park”, said Fletch Carter, Ford Customer Service Division, U.S. Sales Manager. “Ford and Motorcraft are so proud of Bob as a driver and ambassador on and off the track. His level of ambition in everything he does for the sport, as well as in the automotive industry as a whole, has been incredibly valued by not only Motorcraft, but also fans from across the country and beyond.”
Tasca works above and beyond his role as the Vice President of Tasca Automotive Group, team owner and driver by working alongside Ford to attract and retain automotive technicians. During the school year, he speaks to students who take part in the NHRA’s YES (Youth and Education Services) programs. He also is heavily involved in race-day hospitality programs for current Ford technicians.
Tasca’s successful Heartland Nationals title defense marks his 14th career NHRA Funny Car national victory. Next on the schedule is the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals set for August 17-20 at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota.
“If this is the last one, you know where to find it… No. 1, baby! Ford’s in the winner’s circle,” Tasca said.
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