Latest news with #BobTascaIII
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHRA Racer Tasca Says FOX Sports 'Can Keep Embarrassing Themselves If They'd Like'
NHRA Funny Car team owner-driver Bob Tasca III certainly didn't change his message about the FOX Sports IndyCar Series commercials being incorrect with its tagline 'Fastest Racing On Earth.' But he added some perspective to his remarks from Gainesville, Fla., two weeks ago. 'First off,' he said, 'I want to go on record to all my IndyCar friends out there. I don't have many, because I've never been to an IndyCar race, actually. But I have met several drivers over the years. The truth is, I have the utmost respect for what they do, their sport, their fans. Anyone that gets in a race car and risks their life to put on a show for their sponsors and fans, hats off to them.' Tasca said the commercials' tag line 'wasn't tastefully done at all' but said, 'My emotion was on the fact that the promotion is singling out that they're the fastest motorsport on the planet, and that is factually wrong. It is not true, and anybody that can look at scoreboard can clearly see that,' Tasca said. 'So I think that they overstepped some bounds – which not only pissed me off, [but] it pissed off a lot of NHRA fans and drivers. And it was great to see the passion of race fans over the last week.' He said, 'We are the fastest motorsport on the planet, although I did get some call-outs from our Bonneville Salt Flats folks. And maybe I have to preface that we are the fastest side-by-side motorsport on the planet. But again, I love their passion, too, so it's all in good fun.' But he said he was told that Friday's FOX Sports broadcast of the first day of Arizona Nationals action included uncorrected IndyCar commercials. 'So you want to talk about embarrassment? OK. They can keep embarrassing themselves if they'd like, but the harsh reality is we are the fastest motorsport, and I'm very proud to be able to say that.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHRA Funny Car Pilot Bob Tasca's Shot at FOX Sports Still Ringing Loud and Clear
Tasca wasn't being funny during eliminations at the NHRA season-opening Gatornationals two weeks ago. That was when he took issue with FOX Sports's IndyCar-promo tagline 'Fastest Racing on Earth.' Tasca's rant had drivers, fans and media buzzing. Was NHRA Funny Car team owner-driver Bob Tasca III acting like the toddler who was jealous of the new baby? IndyCar is FOX Sports' new baby, celebrated, welcomed to the broadcast family, lavished with oohs and aahs—and showcased with some genuinely clever, humorous, and engaging 30-second ads that debuted during the NFL playoffs and the Super wasn't being funny during eliminations at the NHRA season-opening Gatornationals two weeks ago when he took issue with FOX's IndyCar-promo tagline 'Fastest Racing on Earth.' At first it sounded tongue-in-cheek when Tasca said on the telecast from Gainesville, Fla.: 'I want to say it to the fans: I'm very disappointed with FOX Sports. All winter I got to hear, "The fastest motorsports in the world." And I looked up and I didn't see the PPG Mustang. And I didn't see [Austin] Prock's car [which made the quickest run in the sport's history at 341.68 mph last November at Pomona, Calif.]. I saw an IndyCar. And the fact is that we are the fastest motorsport.' Then Tasca spun it angry: 'And I think it's an insult to the drivers and the fans. And truthfully, I didn't think Fox was the Fake News Network." Later, on social media, he refused to water down his remarks, asserting, 'I said what I said.' He's a drag racing and Ford Motor Company evangelist who is certified in four NHRA classes, has earned a commercial pilot's license, owns car dealerships, auto-service centers, and other businesses across the country, and has a seat on at least one Ford steering committee - clearly a driven and intelligent gentleman. And he understandably and nobly was standing up for his sport, his passion, his territory. • Tasca was correct—FOX's ads are incorrect. But they're so appealing! For the sake of accurate reporting, though, FOX could try another tagline, something like 'Fastest Traffic [Or Rush Hour] On Earth.' • To be technical, it's the elapsed time (from the starting line to the finish line) that counts in drag racing, not speed. (And where were NHRA officials in all this? Could it not have found a humorous way to assert itself?) • NHRA should have thought of the idea long before FOX agreed to a deal with IndyCar. This is kind of public relations message the NHRA needs to be promoting, because drag racing is a sensory-overload sport that extreme-loving America should embrace. The NHRA can start taking baby steps. Perhaps had Tasca been in the media center two days before his incendiary comments, he might have seen a different perspective. That's when and where Top Fuel team owner and driver Tony Stewart—whose remarks were taken out of context in media reports days after Tasca's statements—calmly addressed the 'Fastest Racing on Earth' claim.'I love FOX,' Stewart said. But he pointed out that 'they're doing some false advertising. They keep saying that IndyCar's got the fastest cars. I don't know what the hell they're watching. They're missing the mark by a hundred miles an hour. So they're the fastest ones that turn during their lap. But I'm excited for IndyCar. I'm excited for FOX.' IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, husband of former Funny Car racer Courtney Force, was at Gainesville to support father-in-law John Force's team. And he said, 'I thought it was an interesting tagline, but I think what FOX is doing for both sports is great. I think FOX is really going to push these two sports in a big way, particularly with the change in NASCAR.'Furthermore, Stewart said, 'FOX has been a great partner to NHRA, and to see them branch out to a different form of motorsport and get in the IndyCar side is huge. And I think for us, we kind of got our feelings hurt a little bit because there was such a big push for it, but it's because it's so new at the same time... and making sure that the fans know where to see IndyCar racing. 'They've done a great job taking care of the NHRA side. Now that the season started, they'll continue to push for us as well. And they're great partners,' he said. 'I talked to a lot of the FOX people because I did the broadcast stuff, and they do care about NHRA, so it's not like we got pushed to the side for IndyCar, by any means. They definitely care about this sport.'Alexis DeJoria took Tasca's side on social media, saying, 'I stand with [Tasca] in emphasizing the unparalleled speeds and thrills that NHRA drag racing offers. Our machines surpass 340 mph, showcasing the true essence of 'the fastest racing on earth.'' Then she doubled down on Tasca's call-out: 'It's crucial for media outlets to recognize and accurately represent the unique attributes of each motorsport discipline, ensuring that fans receive a genuine portrayal of what we bring to the track. In the spirit of journalistic integrity, we respectfully request that FOX Sports issue a retraction of this categorically false statement.' Easy now. If drag racers stopped to think about it, land speed racers go faster. Yes, the argument is that land speed racers don't line up side-by-side against anyone, and they have a running start. Airplane racers might chime in, too, but while they're faster than both an IndyCar or nitro-powered Top Fuel dragster or Funny Car, they technically are not on Earth Penske's Scott McLaughlin tossed in his own retort: 'Well at least the commercials are reaching far and wide. Hope you tune in Bob on March 23 at 3 pm on FOX!!' If McLaughlin, whose NTT IndyCar Series is racing that day at The Thermal Club in Southern California, did a bit of research, he would know Tasca is racing that same day just to the east, at Phoenix's Firebird Motorsports Park in the Arizona Nationals. Honestly, what might have stirred more interest in both sports would have been an invitation from Tasca to McLaughlin or any other adventurous IndyCar driver to come to the drag strip and blast down the 1,000-foot course next to his Funny moment is stuff is on the record. Editor's Note: What do you think? Are you in Tasca's corner on this one? Is the NHRA getting short-changed by FOX? Start the discussion in the comments section below.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drama In Racing: Bob Tasca Bristles At IndyCar Fastest Motorsport Claim
Read the full story on Backfire News NHRA drag racing star Bob Tasca III went off in a recent interview during Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida about Fox Sports promoting IndyCar as 'the fastest racing on Earth.' Even better, he did this during an interview with a Fox Sports reporter, calling the marketing campaign during the winter 'an insult' to NHRA drivers and fans. This touched off a bit of a war of words in the knife a little bit, a clearly upset Tasca ended his comments with, 'I didn't think it was fake news network on Fox.' Then he walked off, ending the interview. He wasn't having any of it. .@Tasca3 making noise in Gainesville. #NHRASpeedCheck Watch on FS1 at 7p ET. — NHRA (@NHRA) March 9, 2025 On the Tasca Racing website, Bob Tasca III's profile refers to him as 'the fastest Ford man on the planet.' After all, the guy set a new drag racing world record when he hit 341.68 mph at Pro Superstar Shootout 2024 over a year ago. Tasca's comments on camera touched off a bit of a debate after the video hit social media, with some siding with the driver and others jeering him for only driving in a straight line. More importantly, Scott McLaughlin, an IndyCar driver with Team Penske, weighed in on the matter using a bit of humor. Taking to X, McLaughlin quipped, 'Well at least the commercials are reaching far and wide. Hope you tune in Bob on March 23 at 3 pm on FOX!!' Well at least the commercials are reaching far and wide. Hope you tune in Bob on March 23 at 3pm on FOX !! — Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) March 10, 2025 Fellow NHRA driver Tony Stewart, who has competed in IndyCar as well, was asked by a reporter what he thought of Tasca's comments. He replied that Fox News is engaging in 'false advertising' claiming IndyCar is the fastest motorsport, making reporters laugh by saying 'they're the fastest ones that turn during a lap.' Well, since @TonyStewart has driven both @IndyCar and @NHRA, hear what he has to say about the great speed debate 😁 At the end of the day, we love both. #TSRnitro | #NHRA | #IndyCar | #NHRASpeedCheck | #Dodge — Tony Stewart Racing Nitro (@TSRnitro) March 14, 2025 However, Stewart said he's 'excited' about how Fox News is promoting IndyCar as well as NHRA now, saying the move is 'huge.' He went on to praise the network and its support for NHRA. Asked by a reporter at Gatornationals what he thought of the Fox Sports marketing, IndyCar veteran and husband of a former NHRA Funny Car driver, Graham Rahal said the marketing campaign is 'interesting' but ultimately, he believes Fox Sports is helping out both motorsports. Image via tasca3/Instagram
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PPG and Tasca Racing gear up for 2025 drag racing season
PPG NITRO MUSTANG DARK HORSE Funny Car to appear in four events this year STRONGSVILLE, Ohio, February 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that it has extended its sponsorship of the Tasca Racing team for the 2025 season. The eye-catching PPG NITRO MUSTANG® DARK HORSE® Funny Car will be on the track for four events this year, including three NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION® (NHRA®) Mission Foods Drag Racing Series races. The PPG Nitro Mustang Funny Car will debut Feb. 6-8 at the PRO (Professional Racers Owners Organization) Superstar Shootout at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Fla. At the inaugural event last year, driver Bob Tasca III made drag racing history in the PPG Nitro Mustang Funny Car. Tasca set a speed record the first day, then eclipsed it the next day by piloting the car to a record-breaking 341.68 mph, marking the first pass over 340 mph by a wheel-driven vehicle in drag racing history. In addition to the PRO Superstar Shootout, PPG will serve as the primary sponsor for the following races: NHRA Gatornationals Mar. 6-9 at Gainesville, Fla. NHRA New England Nationals May 30-Jun. 1 at Epping, N.H. Virginia NHRA Nationals Jun. 20-22 at North Dinwiddie, Va. Tasca Racing, led by Bob Tasca III, team owner and driver, is running the full schedule in this year's NHRA Nitro Funny Car division. The team's 11,000+-horsepower Nitro Mustang Funny Car will display the PPG logo in every race. Tasca is also vice president of the Tasca Automotive Group, a key customer of PPG's Automotive Refinish business. "I can't wait to get back behind the wheel of the PPG Nitro Funny Car," said Tasca. "PPG has supported us on and off the racetrack since the beginning. We've been working hard this off-season, and we've got big plans for 2025." "2025 is going to be an exciting year," said Bill Shaw, PPG global business director, strategic initiatives, Automotive Refinish. "Part of what makes PPG and Bob Tasca great partners is our pursuit of excellence. Bob strives for it not only in his dealerships and body shops but on the track as well. The team accomplished a great feat in 2024, so I know they'll aim for more this year." PPG and Tasca have built a strong partnership for more than 25 years. The Tasca Automotive Group operates multiple franchise car dealerships, collision centers and service centers that use PPG products. The PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance paint system is the brand of choice in the company's collision centers. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD® At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit Envirobase, the PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Horse is a trademark and Mustang is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Hot Rod Association and NHRA are registered trademarks of the National Hot Rod Association. View source version on Contacts PPG Media Contact: Samantha AllenAutomotive Refinish+1 440 334
