Bob Tasca III. NHRA photo

By Mike Haag, Raceday San Antonio

ENNIS, Texas — The battle for the coveted NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car title is down to the Big Four midway through the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Bob Tasca III. NHRA photo

With three races remaining in the playoffs, Bob Tasca III (Ford), Robert Hight (Chevrolet), Matt Hagan (Dodge) and Ron Capps (Toyota) are separated by only 33 points as they head into this weekend’s 38th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex. Billed as the Stampede of Speed, the race card will feature qualifying in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle on Friday and Saturday with the final rounds set for Sunday.

Tasca, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang, leads the points in the Countdown to the Championship for the first time in his career. Hight in the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS is six points back in second. Hagan in the Dodge Direct Connection Charger SRT Hellcat is 13 points back in third and Ron Capps in the NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra trails by 33 in fourth. Hagan has five wins and won the most recent race two weeks ago in St. Louis. Hight and Capps have three season wins each.

Bob Tasca III. NHRA photo

“We have a car that can run with the best of the best in any condition,” Tasca said. “To win the championship, that’s what you need to have. You have to be fast on a hot track. You have to be fast on a cold track and everything in between.”

Tasca, who has three victories this season, is led this season by crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Aaron Brooks, along with a race team that’s enjoying a late-season surge, having won two of the last six races including the second playoff race in Charlotte. He also posted wins at Epping and Brainerd.

“Six number one qualifiers, three wins, obviously one in the Countdown and a couple semi-finals,” Tasca said. “That’s what it’s going to take to win this championship. I think that is what makes us a very dangerous team in this Countdown is that we can run low E.T. (elapsed time) in no matter what conditions we are in. I couldn’t say that my whole career. If I had a good car on the hot tracks I could run high 80s. But nobody figured the Motorcraft car could run low 80s. Now that you have that in your repertoire they have to be able to step up and know that we can do it. We have just put ourselves in the position to be in contention to win this championship.”

John Force and Bob Tasca III. NHRA photo

Tasca said he credits this year’s success to Okuhara and Brooks and their aggressive mindset and approach to racing.

“Todd and Aaron, they’ve made an incredible team,” Tasca said. “Great chemistry and you can see it in our performance. All year long this car has been running at the top of the page.”

Tasca added, “They have a great time working together.  They both have a tireless work ethic. I cannot believe the effort that they both put in. They’re part of the team actually turning the car in between rounds they’re working. Todd is adjusting the valves and you know Aaron is under the car looking at the bearings. It really is different from anything I’ve experienced in my career and I couldn’t be happier.”

Tasca said this season’s field of Funny Cars have been extremely competitive. There have been seven different winners after 18 races.

Bob Tasca III. NHRA photo

“I don’t know how often and how tight it’s ever been right now across the whole spectrum of races,” Tasca said. “They talk about the Big Four. I talk about the Big 16. On Sunday morning they may be behind us in the points and you got to go out there and qualify and put yourself in the position to win.  But at any given race anybody can get knocked off.  It’s great for the fans but it is gut wrenching for the team to go out there and race weekend and week out.”

This weekend’s weather forecast calls for lower than normal temperatures and low humidity which could set the stage for ideal racing conditions that could result in record times and speeds in all four professional classes.

“I saw that forecast last night and I had a big smile on my face because those guys probably haven’t slept in the last 48 hours getting ready to get to Dallas,” Tasca said. “These are good conditions for our car. Make no mistake about it because it’s going to be a throw down. Dallas is a great surface. I’ve won there before. I love racing at Dallas. We’re going to come out swinging. We’ve got the best of the best parts and I’m liking my chances looking at that forecast.”