EPPING, N.H. — New England Dragway represents the beginning for Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III. In fact, his first racing memories behind the wheel happened at the track that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016.They are decidedly different from the memories he will make in his 10,000-horsepower Tasca Ford Mustang at the fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals, June 3-5, but they remain incredibly special to the four-time Funny Car winner.
“This is the first place I ever went down the race track, the right lane in my 1992 Mustang GT that just came out of the shop,” Tasca said. “I’ll never forget the first time with a pair of slicks on, I think I went 12.3 seconds my first run down the track. Turn the clock forward a few years and to be running down that same right lane in a 10,000-horsepower nitro Funny Car, it’s pretty special.
“My grandfather back in the 1960s was certainly part of the whole beginning of New England Dragway. To be racing there three generations later, it holds a special place in my heart. Now with that all being said, this track has kind of kicked my (butt) in a fuel Funny Car. I’ve had some real weird races here. Hopefully we’ve been able to shake off all those gremlins.”
Those special memories have Tasca excited to return to his home track to compete for his first Funny Car victory in front of a large number of family and friends. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event. The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live qualifying on Saturday and finals coverage on Sunday. The race kicks off a stretch of four straight race weekends in June and is also the ninth of 24 events during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
It marks the third race of 2016 for Tasca, who returned on a part-time basis this year after sitting out the 2015 campaign. Tasca, who has 11 final-round appearances, feels good about where his program is after a consistent effort at the most recent race in Topeka. He qualified 13th with a solid 4.00-second elapsed time and was consistently in the 4.00s, running 4.04 in a first-round loss to points leader Courtney Force.
But Tasca believes the potential is there for much more, especially after his team found some solutions to some minor issues following the weekend.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way my race car is running right now,” Tasca said. “We ran four four-flats in a row (in Topeka) on five cylinders. If this thing is running on all eight cylinders we’re going to be able to mix it up with the best of the best. That’s certainly what we’re focused on doing at the New England Nationals. We’ve really worked hard on set-up and had a lot of help from a lot of people. The car is running good, it’s consistent and when this thing fires on all eight cylinders, you can expect this car to perform very well.”
Tasca also stayed in the mix during another incredible Funny Car weekend in Topeka. A record 12 cars recorded three-second runs, with Tasca just missing out, and Matt Hagan set national E.T. and speed records en route to his second straight win. It’s a thrilling time to be part of the class, but Tasca is also excited about the challenge it presents.
Tasca is confident he can compete with the top names in the class, even on a part-time basis. It’s a list that also includes defending world champion Del Worsham, Tim Wilkerson, who has two wins this season, Jack Beckman, 16-time world champion John Force, Ron Capps, Alexis DeJoria, Robert Hight and Cruz Pedregon. But the challenge and the chance to return to the winner’s circle is enough to motivate Tasca.
“This is what makes our sport special,” Tasca said. “Anybody who qualifies can win. Obviously, the more consistent your car is, the better it does and the better chance you have, but anybody can win. We’re going into Epping with an expectation that we can qualify and mix it up with the top guys in the field. If we can do that and put ourselves in a position to win on Sunday, anything can happen.”
Doing it at his home track and in front of a huge crowd would make it even more of a thrill. The atmosphere at the New England Nationals has been impressive during the first three years at the event, as a massive fanbase has thoroughly enjoyed a unique aspect of the track.
“These stands are as close as you can possibly get to the race track,” Tasca said. “I think that gives it a different vibe, a different energy than any other race that I attend. The pits are packed and the stands are packed. When people go to this track and this race, they’re a part of the race that’s unlike any other race in the country. It’s cool to be able to say that’s my home track. I’m proud to be part of it and it’s an exciting event.”
In Top Fuel, eight-time world champion Schumacher beat three-time world champ Larry Dixon in the finals a year ago. Schumacher, who is after his third consecutive win at New England Dragway, is seeking his first win of 2016. Others to watch include Doug Kalitta, the current points leader after three straight wins, two-time 2016 winner Brittany Force, two-time season finalist Steve Torrence who has claimed four No. 1 qualifiers this season, defending world champ Antron Brown, Clay Millican, J.R. Todd, Shawn Langdon and Terry McMillen.
Four-time Pro Stock world champion Anderson raced his Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro to his third victory of season a year ago. Anderson has opened the 2016 season with three victories and only trails his teammate, two-time world champion and current points leader Jason Line, who has appeared in all eight final rounds this season and has five wins. Others to watch in the 200-mph factory hot rod category are two-time and defending world champion Erica Enders, two-time runner-up Bo Butner, Chris McGaha, 2014 top rookie Drew Skillman, 2012 world champ and 2013 New England winner Allen Johnson, five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray and Alex Laughlin.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand how the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.
The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: Fourth annual NHRA New England Nationals, the ninth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The race also will feature competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.
WHERE: New England Dragway, Epping, N.H., the track is on Route 101 off Exit 8, an hour north of Boston and just 20 minutes from Manchester and the New Hampshire sea coast. From I-95, take Exit 2 in New Hampshire. Travel west on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn right. From I-93, take Exit 7 in New Hampshire. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead. From I-495, take Exit 51-B to Route 125 north. Travel east on Route 101 to Exit 8, then turn left, and the track is straight ahead.
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 90 feet above sea level. Track direction is southwest to northeast.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, June 3-5
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, June 3 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:30 and 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 4- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 5 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.
TELEVISION:
FRIDAY, June 3, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at Midnight (ET)
SATURDAY, June 4, FS1 will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 2:30 p.m. (ET)
SATURDAY, June 4, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at Midnight (ET)
SUNDAY, June 5, FS1 will televise three hours of finals coverage at 4 p.m. (ET)
2015 EVENT WINNERS: Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.742 sec. by Tony Schumacher, June ’15; 327.66 mph by Spencer Massey, June ’15.
Funny Car – 3.988 sec. by Robert Hight, June ’14; 323.35 mph Courtney Force, June ’14.
Pro Stock – 6.485 sec. by Shane Gray, June ’14; 214.72 mph by Greg Anderson, June ’15.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.
Funny Car – 3.879 sec. by Jack Beckman, March ‘16, Gainesville, Fla.; 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. ’15, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
TICKETS: For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the eighth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Doug Kalitta, 710; 2. Antron Brown, 615; 3. Brittany Force, 580; 4. Steve Torrence, 557; 5. (tie) Clay Millican, 440; J.R. Todd, 440; 7. Richie Crampton, 418; 8. Tony Schumacher, 403; 9. Shawn Langdon, 346; 10. Terry McMillen, 310.
Funny Car: 1. Courtney Force, 601; 2. Jack Beckman, 589; 3. Tim Wilkerson, 554; 4. Matt Hagan, 511; 5. Robert Hight, 510; 6. Ron Capps, 504; 7. Del Worsham, 485; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 451; 9. John Force, 448; 10. Tommy Johnson Jr., 404.
Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 942; 2. Greg Anderson, 816; 3. Bo Butner, 614; 4. (tie) Allen Johnson, 465; Drew Skillman, 465; 6. Chris McGaha, 427; 7. Vincent Nobile, 346; 8. Erica Enders, 341; 9. Jeg Coughlin, 339; 10. Alex Laughlin, 327.
