Memphis: Bob Tasca III preview

TASCA EAGER FOR FIRST VISIT TO MEMPHIS MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sept. 24, 2008) -- The race this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park will be a first and a last for rookie Bob Tasca III. The driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Funny Car will make his ...

TASCA EAGER FOR FIRST VISIT TO MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sept. 24, 2008) -- The race this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park will be a first and a last for rookie Bob Tasca III. The driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Funny Car will make his first start in Memphis, which will also be the last track on the NHRA circuit that he hasn't competed at before.

"We're excited about this weekend in Memphis and building on the momentum that we got going our way in Dallas," said Tasca. "It's the last race on the circuit that I've never been to; so as a rookie, this is the last stop that will be a first for me, and hopefully it could be the site of our first win."

Tasca enters this weekend looking to make his 20th start of the season, and of his young nitro Funny Car career. The rookie driver also enters this weekend on the hunt for his first professional career win.

"I told my team that we're going to win at least one of these next four races," said Tasca. "It's important for the Rookie-of-the-Year deal, and it's important for us to end this season with a win. That's been one of my goals from the beginning of the year, is to do that. And I think we've got as good of chance as any to come away from these next four races with a win, and it would be nice to start in Memphis."

While competing at a track he's never been at isn't anything new for Tasca this season, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane driver has the benefit of having crew chief Chris Cunningham to help give him insight when not just approaching a new track, but any track on the circuit.

"I rely on Chris to get a feel for the track and things like what the shut-off area is like, if it's a smooth track, if there are any issues with a lane; so certainly Chris gives me a lot of input whether I've ever been to a track or not," said Tasca. "But, at the end of the day, you race your race. The team comes prepared, the racecar is ready to go and you have a game plan going into the race, and then we just try and execute on it.

"It's amazing, whatever strategy you have going into a weekend changes based on the weather, based on the racing surface, how the car qualifies versus the competition; you make the adjustments that are necessary as the weekend unfolds."