Memphis: Bob Tasca III Friday notes

TASCA 13TH ON FRIDAY; WILL COMPETE SATURDAY FOR SPOT IN MID-SOUTH NATIONALS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sept. 26, 2008) -- Friday's qualifying sessions at Memphis Motorsports Park marked the first passes of Bob Tasca III's career at the site of the 21st annual NHRA Mid-South Nationals.

Despite a solid A to B run during the night session, which saw the rookie driver post a 4.174-second pass to 1,000 feet, the driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang will be one of eight drivers competing for the final four qualifying spots still up for grabs for Sunday's race.

"Obviously I think we were a little gun-shy after smoking the tires the first time down the track," said Tasca. "Chris [Cunningham, crew chief] and I talked before that second run and we thought that the car was going to run a 4.15, 16, or 17, but were hoping to be closer to 4.15."

Tasca's time was just .007 of a second shy of the top 12 qualifying times that will carry over into Saturday.

"Before it was our turn that second time down the track, we saw a couple of drivers in front of us really struggle as soon as they hit the throttle, and we were conservative," said the Rookie-of-the-Year candidate. "But the car went A to B and was really smooth for us. It really was a good run. It was a competitive session with a lot of big names still not in the show, but our team is up for the challenge and I know that we'll have a successful day tomorrow."

Tasca is seeking to make his 20th start of the season and his professional nitro Funny Car career.

-credit: tasca/motorcraft