Bob Tasca III
Bob Tasca III | |
|---|---|
 Tasca in 2022 | |
| Born | 14 October 1975 |
| Occupations | NHRA team driver and owner |
| Known for | First to exceed 340 mph (550 km/h) in a wheel-driven Funny Car |
| Height | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Bob Tasca Sr. (grandfather) |
| NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car Series | |
| Years active | 2008—2026 |
| Teams | Tasca Racing |
| Wins | 18 |
| Fastest laps |
|
| Best finish | 3rd in 2023 |
| Statistics up to date as of January 30, 2026. | |
| Notes | |
Bob Tasca III is an American Funny Car driver and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) team owner. He is notable for becoming the first drag racer to break the 340-mile-per-hour (550 km/h) barrier in a wheel-driven Funny Car, along with multiple national event wins and media coverage for his Ford Mustang efforts.[2][3] Tasca was active as a driver from 2008 until early 2026 when he retired to become a team owner.[4]
Biography
Tasca lives in Hope, Rhode Island.[1] He is the grandson of Bob Tasca Sr., founder of Tasca Ford in Rhode Island, who was instrumental in the development of the original Ford Mustang Cobra Jet.[5]
Tasca entered Funny Car competition in 2008 with backing from Ford and Motorcraft/Quick Lane.[6] He became the first drag racer to eclipse 340 miles per hour (550 km/h) in a wheel-driven Funny Car, recording a speed of 341.68 miles per hour (549.88 km/h) during a qualifying run at the Pro Superstar Shootout in Bradenton Motorsports Park in February 2024.[3][2]
Tasca has added wins in NHRA national events, including the Gatornationals,[7] the Carolina Nationals,[8] and multiple events in Las Vegas.[9] In 2023, Tasca led the Funny Car standings and emphasized his aggressive approach.[10] In 2025, Tasca was critical of Fox Sports' media coverage of NHRA – Fox Sports claimed that IndyCar was the “Fastest Racing on Earth".[11][12] In interviews, he shared insights into his family heritage, team dynamics, and quest for speed.[13][14] Tasca retired as a driver in 2026; in favor of team ownership; with Austin Prock becoming lead driver for Tasca's Ford team.[4][15][16]
References
- 1 2 "Bob Tasca III". National Hot Rod Association. 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- 1 2 "NHRA Funny Car pilot Bob Tasca says nothing unofficial record". Autoweek. March 22, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- 1 2 "Bob Tasca III becomes the first drag racer to eclipse 340-mph barrier". Tasca Racing. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- 1 2 Wade, Susan (January 16, 2026). "Tasca Steps From NHRA Funny Car Seat, Hires Champion Austin Prock To Drive His Mustang". AutoWeek. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Tasca III carries his grandfather's legacy with Ford". 13ABC. June 18, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Driver Bio: Bob Tasca III". Ford Performance. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca wins Funny Car at the Gatornationals". BangShift. March 14, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca III reigns over Carolina Nationals Funny Car field". Drag Illustrated. September 25, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca III wins with Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Las Vegas". Ford Authority. April 15, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Funny Car points leader Bob Tasca III staying aggressive at Texas FallNationals". NHRA. October 12, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca slams Fox Sports". Athlon Sports. March 9, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ Wade, Susan (March 20, 2025). "NHRA Funny Car Pilot Bob Tasca's Shot At FOX Sports Still Ringing Loud And Clear". AutoWeek. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ Tasca, Bob (May 20, 2022). "Bob Tasca III interview" (transcript). Tasca Parts Blog (Interview). Interviewed by Casey Campbell. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca: The fastest man in drag racing says he can go even faster". Hagerty Media. June 15, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Bob Tasca III Explains Why Austin Prock Was The Only Driver He'd Step Aside For". Drag Illustrated. January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ Bennett, Bobby (January 30, 2026). "TASCA BREAKS SILENCE ON PROCK FAMILY MOVE, CHAMPIONSHIP PLAN AND HIS OWN FUTURE". CompetitionPlus. Retrieved February 9, 2026.