Heartland Park Topeka is traditionally a hot track. Last year's weather proved to be an obstacle
for most drivers, but not for Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang team.
Last year in Topeka, Tasca was the No. 2 qualifier - his best qualifying position of the 2008
season. He was the most consistent race car down the track, resulting in his team earning the Full
Throttle Pit Crew award for the weekend. This year, Tasca hopes a more consistent car and a hot
Topeka track will lead to a win at NHRA Summer Nationals.
"I'm looking forward to getting back to Topeka just because it was one of those tracks where we
performed well," said Tasca. "We went into the quarterfinals, so we're hopeful for a good run this
year. Our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Shelby Mustang always performs better in the heat. This year we
have a very consistent hot rod and in warmer conditions, we're just lethal. Topeka plays to that
regardless of what we did last year because it's traditionally a hot race track."
Tasca has been looking forward to racing back-to-back races all season. Topeka marks the first of
three races in three weeks for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Tasca is currently eighth in points but is hoping to gain some ground in the point standings as the
weather gets warmer and the countdown gets closer.
"The next three races are critical races for the top-10 run. I really feel it will separate the top
five from the pack and then there are five more spots to go. It's not just being in the top 10,
it's about solidly being in the top 10, and we've been very fortunate this far this season to be in
that position. The next three races are going to be pivotal for the top five."
