Latest news with #Tasca
Time Out
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Millie Short
Sometimes a menu item leaps up at you in the same way that a slobbering puppy might lick your mouth seconds after you've been introduced. At Tasca, that item is the jambon beurre gilda. The mere suggestion of the queen of pintxos in a daring tryst with the prince of sandwiches had me in raptures. Be still my beating epiglottis. Was the dish as good as it was in my head? Better. A silver toothpick of nubbly, caperberry-brined pickle nestling against a sharp guindilla pepper and a dollop of espelette butter wrapped in ham, it was melty and meaty, and tangy all at once. Like a vintage John Waters movie, it's a bit much, but that's the whole point. Who would be so bold as to conjure up this outrageous offering? That would be head chef Josh Dallaway, once of Sager + Wilde, working alongside former Bistro Freddie manager and sommelier, Sinead Murdoc. After munching their way around Portugal and Spain, the couple came back to east London with bellies full of tapas and heads full of ideas. In a year-long residency at Cav – a newly-opened wine bar in the railway arches of Paradise Row – Tasca hits all the 2025 buzz points; there's bold Basque cookery, an embarrassment of ferments, and a cocktail menu that features a couture martini fit for the racks at Dover Street Market (theirs comes with dill and anchovy oil). Like a vintage John Waters movie, it's a bit much, but that's the whole point Yet there's something about the playful Tasca that makes it more appealing than other Iberian small-plate pretenders. A slice of baguette slaked with intoxicating brown crab butter and topped with thick, beefy flaps of cecina cured with 10 kinds of peppercorn offers the perfect cream-to-crunch ratio. There's a scarlet prawn and pork cachorrinho, a febrile, salty take on the classic Porto 'hot dog' – that's essentially an elite toastie dribbling with nutty Ossau-Iraty cheese and served with a bottle of luminous hot sauce. There's a platter of girthy white asparagus too, smothered in a six year-old burnt almond miso that's funkier than a Larry Graham slap bass riff. And a moment please for the cleansing pleasure that is a mound of fresh goat's curd served with cucumber, drifting in a meditative pool of celeriac honey. To the end, Tasca is the best kind of bad influence. They could have played it safe by popping out a couple of pastel de nata, but instead, there is a literal pudding toastie; a hot bikini sandwich filled with tomme de chevre cheese and smoked maple ham. It is, basically, an American diner sweet/savoury breakfast in gloopy, handheld form. Our only wish now is for this residency to become permanent – a mere year of Tasca simply doesn't seem long enough.
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
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHRA Arizona Nationals Friday Qualifying: Kalitta Quickest in Top Fuel
Top Fuel's Doug Kalitta powered to the provisional No. 1 position on Friday at Firebird Motorsports Park, making the only run in the 3.60s at the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the second of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Kalitta went 3.688-seconds at 330.09-mph in his 11,000-horsepower SealMaster/Toyota dragster under the lights in Phoenix, putting the 2023 world champion in line for his first No. 1 qualifier of the year and the 59th in his career. The No. 1 spot changed twice before Kalitta ran, but nobody else could move into the 3.60s on Friday, as Kalitta put on a standout show in Phoenix. Kalitta and his team ran with mud flaps on during the first session, but removed them for the second, as NHRA officials announced earlier this week mud flaps will be optional for the next four races. 'I was pretty happy with that run and I have to say they've really done a nice job at this facility. The track is nice and smooth,' Kalitta said. 'We're happy that things kind of cooled off and we were able to get a good run in. The conditions were that good, so it says a lot for the track and this team.' Brittany Force took the second spot with a run of 3.705 at 331.69 and Kalitta Motorsports' teammate Shawn Langdon is currently third after going 3.706 at 331.85. In Funny Car, Bob Tasca ended Friday qualifying in the category in impressive fashion, going 3.863 at 333.82 in his 11,000-horsepower Motorcraft Ford Mustang to slip past reigning world champion Austin Prock for the provisional No. 1 spot. Prock and Tasca were the only two Funny Car drivers to dip into the 3.80s during the first two sessions, with Prock going 3.883 at 327.44 the pair before Tasca. But Tasca topped him to take the upper hand into Saturday, where he will attempt to pick up his 19th career No. 1 qualifier and first of the year. 'What I love about what we did today is that we ran good on a hot track, and we did it on a cool track,' Tasca said. 'This is very unique. You don't see what we saw today, a 122-degree track and then an 80-degree track. That's a 40-degree change in racing surface so that's a completely different race car, and the teams that adapted and made the changes performed the best today, and it'll be exciting for tomorrow and see what we can do. 'You're going to see a hot track for the rest of the weekend, so I'm pretty confident. That first run was more important than the second run and Todd [Okuhara] and Aaron [Brooks] really worked hard over the winter, making some changes to this race car, trying to get more consistency.' Prock is second after two sessions, while Ron Capps is in third after going 3.912 at 323.50. Friday night was great for Phoenix-area native Matt Hartford, as he took over the No. 1 spot in his Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro with a stellar run of 6.509 at 208.20. If that holds, Hartford would pick up his fifth career No. 1 qualifier and first of the year, and continue his strong turnaround after struggling for the bulk of the 2024 campaign. This is another noteworthy step forward as Hartford looks to win at his home track. 'This is our home track,' Hartford said. 'It's Total Seal country, and to be able to do that in front of friends and family and all the people from Total Seal is just incredible. We're going to have a lot of people here tomorrow, about 175 of our closest friends, and they're all going to want to know how we did last night, so it's going to be nice to say that we're No. 1 going into tomorrow.' Defending world champ and Gainesville winner Greg Anderson is second with a 6.512 at 208.91 at 208.91 and Cory Reed is third after a run of 6.516 at 208.91. Qualifying continues at 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Friday's results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park, third of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations. Top Fuel -- 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.688 seconds, 330.39 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.705, 331.69; 3. Shawn Langdon, 3.706, 331.85; 4. Antron Brown, 3.710, 333.82; 5. Clay Millican, 3.734, 329.34; 6. Justin Ashley, 3.754, 329.26; 7. Tony Stewart, 3.755, 319.98; 8. Shawn Reed, 3.757, 328.46; 9. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.763, 327.03; 10. Josh Hart, 3.817, 323.58; 11. Steven Chrisman, 4.294, 217.53; 12. Scott Palmer, 4.551, 182.16; 13. Travis Shumake, 7.056, 83.87; 14. Jasmine Salinas, 8.730, 75.80. Funny Car -- 1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.863, 333.82; 2. Austin Prock, Chevy Camaro, 3.883, 327.74; 3. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.895, 327.51; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.912, 323.50; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.919, 328.14; 6. Alexis DeJoria, Charger, 3.931, 324.75; 7. Bobby Bode, Mustang, 3.931, 323.35; 8. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.933, 324.44; 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.939, 329.58; 10. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.952, 323.66; 11. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.074, 310.77; 12. Blake Alexander, Charger, 4.201, 237.30; 13. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 4.248, 219.12; 14. Dave Richards, Mustang, 4.664, 216.51; 15. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 4.935, 142.00; 16. Jim Campbell, Mustang, 5.058, 183.52. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 5.477, 133.28; 18. Jon Capps, 7.274, 85.08; 19. Terry Haddock, 11.888, 76.80; 20. Jeff Diehl, 12.557, 66.25. Pro Stock -- Matt Hartford, Chevy Camaro, 6.509, 208.88; 2. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.512, 209.59; 3. Cory Reed, Camaro, 6.516, 209.46; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.520, 210.28; 5. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.538, 208.68; 6. Cristian Cuadra, Ford Mustang, 6.540, 208.23; 7. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.551, 207.78; 8. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.554, 207.53; 9. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.555, 209.23; 10. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.557, 209.82; 11. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.08; 12. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.564, 208.78; 13. David Cuadra, Camaro, 6.570, 208.26; 14. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.573,209.04; 15. Fernando Cuadra Jr., Camaro, 6.583, 208.17; 16. Brandon Foster, Camaro, 6.590, 206.80. Not Qualified: 17. Chris McGaha, 6.600, 207.69; 18. Cody Coughlin, 6.600, 207.15; 19. Stephen Bell, 6.613, 207.94; 20. Kenny Delco, 6.623, 207.11; 21. Matt Latino, 6.693, 205.16.
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
