TASCA AND MOTORCRAFT/QUICK LANE FORD SHELBY MUSTANG RETURN TO CONQUER FIREBIRD RACEWAY IN THE SECOND ROUND OF NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING

Firebird International Raceway holds special meaning Bob Tasca III, since he earned his NHRA Funny Car competition license at the Phoenix track just three weeks before the start of the 2008 season. With limits on testing and little experience, Tasca was eagerly anticipating the annual stop at Phoenix as a race where he would be able to capitalize on data and first-hand experience. All that went awry as Tasca was unable to qualify his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang Funny Car during the 2008 Funny Car qualifying competition.

Fast-forward one year. Tasca comes to Phoenix with a full season under his belt; a technical alliance with Tim Wilkerson, who was the top qualifier one year ago; 24 test runs during the offseason, a third of which were logged at Firebird; and a strong season-opening showing at Pomona. Phoenix is a race that has been circled on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane calendar for several months.

Full Throttle Points Standings – Funny Car
1. Ron Capps, 111; 2. Jim Head, 92; 3. Robert Hight, 78; 4. Gary Densham, 73; 5. Del Worsham, 57; 6. Ashley Force Hood, 56; 7. Bob Tasca III, 54; 8. Jack Beckman, 53; 9. John Force, 35; 10. Tony Pedregon, 34. 11. Mike Neff, 32 ; 17, Tim Wilkerson, 10

Phoenix Race Notes:
- In the off-season, Tasca tested at three different tracks: Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Phoenix. Of the 24 test runs, Tasca made eight runs at Phoenix.
- Firebird International Raceway is the track where Tasca earned his license on Jan. 31, 2008.
- Tasca formed a technical alliance with Tim Wilkerson for the 2009 season. Wilkerson was the No. 1 Phoenix qualifier in 2008 (4.775 seconds at 327.03 mph).
- Tasca’s fifth place qualifying effort at Pomona marks the fourth time he has claimed a top-five spot in qualifying. This first round win marked the eighth time he had advanced past the opening round in the Nitro Ladder.

TELEVISION:
Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at midnight (ET).

Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute pre-race show, at 12:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Feb. 22, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of final eliminations at 7 p.m. (ET).

SATELLITE:
Friday, Feb. 20, 10-10:30 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)

Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)

Sunday, Feb. 22, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) - AMC 15 / Transponder 9 K (Downlink Frequency: 11880 MHz, Vertical)