Consistency Without Results for Bob Tasca III at 2025 40th NHRA Reading Nationals

The 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway saw Bob Tasca III and the Ford Racing Nitro Mustang Dark Horse Funny Car team showcase flashes of brilliance in qualifying before bowing out in the opening round of eliminations. Despite the early exit, the weekend highlighted major progress in the team’s ongoing push for consistency as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season enters its critical stretch. 

Qualifying: Fast, Smooth, and Competitive 

Friday’s first qualifying session set the tone for the weekend when Tasca powered to a 3.962-second run at 327.82 mph, immediately placing him second overall in the Funny Car field. The Mustang looked sharp, running straight and strong to the stripe. 

In Q2, the team made an aggressive attempt at the No. 1 position, but the car overpowered the track just past 300 feet. Tasca was forced to click it off, coasting to a 5.03-second time that shuffled him back to 11th in the order. 

Saturday brought a rebound. In Q3, Tasca put together another clean run at 3.989 seconds and 324.83 mph, the fourth-quickest pass of the session. The Ford Performance Mustang followed that with its best showing of the event in Q4, clocking a 3.945-second run at 327.59 mph. That pass was the second-quickest of the round and locked Tasca into the No. 10 qualifying position. 

“The car was smooth and consistent all weekend,” said Tasca. “Three out of four runs were A-to-B, and that’s exactly the type of performance we’ve been working toward. This is the best car we’ve had going into a Sunday all season.” 

Eliminations: Pedregon Advances in Round One 

On race day, Tasca lined up against Cruz Pedregon in the opening round of eliminations. Tasca cut a crisp 0.080-second reaction time and charged hard out of the gate, but the Mustang hazed the tires around 330 feet. The car lost traction and slowed to a 4.548-second pass at 189.26 mph, while Pedregon advanced with a 3.928-second run at 330.07 mph. 

Although the early exit stung, the team left Maple Grove Raceway encouraged by their performance across four qualifying sessions. 

“We had one of the best race cars we’ve put on the track this year,” Tasca reflected. “If we can keep this level of consistency and continue to build on it, we’ll be in a great position for the Countdown.” 

Looking Ahead 

For Tasca Racing, the Reading Nationals served as both a test of progress and a statement of intent heading into the final stretch of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. With three strong full pulls in qualifying, the team proved they have a combination capable of running with the best in the Funny Car class. 

Next, Tasca Racing will head south to Charlotte for the NHRA Carolina Nationals, where they’ll look to turn consistency into round wins and strengthen their position before the Countdown to the Championship.