Chris Hobson (@NitroChrisUK) Dream trip to NHRA Event

For those of you who have had the pleasure of communication with Chris on twitter or Facebook, you know how passionate he is about Drag Racing. His every day life revolves around this great motor sport, and he is filled with knowledge with almost all the drivers. He does attend so some of the drag races overseas to places like Santa Pod, but his Biggest Dream and one of the Top things to do on his Bucket List, is to attend a NHRA Full Throttle Event here in the USA.

I have been trying most of the year to get contributions and donations from the Nitro Twitter Group, and have not been very successful. Just a few have come through such as Vivian Milliken (@NitroDoll), Joe Ryan (@J88Ryan), and Myself. Those were through emails, and now it is time to go public. Hopefully some of you NHRA Fans, Drivers, Teams or Sponsors can help to get Chris over here for an NHRA Full Throttle Series Event. We are hoping to get him out for the Las Vegas Nationals at the end of October, but we have to act fast to get better pricing on the Airfare.

The Airfare will cost around $1100.00 round trip from Heathrow Airport to Las Vegas. While in Vegas he can share a Hotel room with me, and he will have his own spending money for entertainment. We just need around $833.00 dollars more to get this dream to come true.
He will then be able to meet all of his great NHRA Idols, get pictures with them, and buy souvenirs at the track. Any money collected over his airfare will be given to Chris for him to spend at the event and entertainment.

If you would like to help, I have a Pay Pal Account for Chris and you can donate anything you can afford to help in this great dream. Click on the link below to contribute then my account is nitrojohn12@yahoo.com

Pay Pal

Thank you all!

Thank you all, and I hope we can make this dream come true..

Bob Tasca III Jumps 2 spots after Dallas

TASCA JUMPS TWO SPOTS TO SEVENTH WITH FOUR RACES REMAINING IN NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES PLAYOFFS

· Bob Tasca III jumped two spots to seventh in the Countdown to One NHRA Full Throttle Series playoff standings after defeating John Force in Round 1 and a first-round loss by Jeff Arend at Texas Motorplex. Force and Arend leave Dallas tied for eighth in the Funny Car category with 2,096 points each.

· This week the NHRA Full Throttle Series heads to Reading, Pa. for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the third of six races in the playoff season.


ENNIS, Texas, Sept. 25, 2011 – Bob Tasca III and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Funny Car team had one goal in mind for the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals – move up in the NHRA Full Throttle Series point standings. And after qualifying drama that had fans on the edge of their seats, move up they did.

Tasca jumped two spots to seventh in the Countdown to One playoff standings after defeating John Force in Round 1 and a first-round loss by Jeff Arend at Texas Motorplex. Force and Arend leave Dallas tied for eighth in the Funny Car category.

“You always got to race the race track, but a lot of times you look back and you’d do 10 things differently, and truthfully, I wouldn’t have done anything different,” said Tasca, who lost to Cruz Pedregon in Round 2 after smoking the tires in the track’s right lane. “We went up there against Cruz, who’s obviously got a great race car. We ran a 4.15 on a 127-degree track on Saturday night and we had full expectations to go up there and run a 4.15, 4.17 on the same track condition. Obviously the left lane was better than the right lane, but still the right lane looked good enough.”

Tasca clocked a 4.625 at 248.61 mph after qualifying ninth with a 4.178 at 300.86. His best run of the weekend, a 4.154 at 300.86 in the fourth and final round of qualifying, was thrown out because the car was ruled too light.

That final round was a story in itself. Tasca shut the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford off after staging after his tree, the starting device, failed to drop. The starting device in the other lane functioned normally.

“I knew one thing. I knew I wasn’t leaving that starting line until someone explained to me what just happened,” Tasca said. “I shut the car off, jumped out and went right up to the starter. I wasn’t leaving, because I never saw the tree. The tree never came on. I rolled through the lights and there was a malfunction. NHRA realized it was the fault of the tree, they found a module that was loose, they fixed it, and we made a tremendous run.”

The car was later ruled too light in that final round.

“I don’t think it played into anything that happened today, because we had the run,” Tasca said. “We basically repeated the run in the first round, then we came out in the second round and tried to repeat it again and missed it by an eyelash. That’s the way the chips fell and we’ll just look forward to Maple Grove.”

IT’S HERE! NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS KICK OFF IN CAROLINA RACING COUNTRY

Press Release from Bob Tasca III:

· This week’s NHRA Full Throttle Series race at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte officially kicks off the six-race 2011 Countdown to One, when the top 10 drivers in each category will throw everything they have at making the perfect start to playoffs.

· Bob Tasca III will be there to win with his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Funny Car and knows now is the time to go the distance – especially at the same track he runnered-up at earlier this year.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 13, 2011 – It’s time to bring the big bat.

This week’s NHRA Full Throttle Series race at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte officially kicks off the 2011 Countdown to the Championship playoffs, when the top 10 drivers in each category will throw everything they have at making the perfect start to the end of the year.

Bob Tasca III will be there to win with his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Funny Car and knows now is the time to go the distance – especially at the same track he runnered-up at earlier this year. It’s his team’s home track, too. Tasca Racing headquarters is just down the street, in the heart of the Carolina racing country.

“These races back-to-back-to-back will set teams up for the championships,” said Tasca of the Charlotte, N.C.-Dallas-Reading, Pa. string of races the Series sets off on this week. “The weather conditions in Charlotte are supposed to be similar to those we had there in the spring. We’ll draw from some of that data; give ourselves a chance to do well this weekend.”

That final-round appearance was the first of two Tasca has earned this year. His second was in Indianapolis just a week ago.

Weather forecasts predict lows in the lower 50s and highs in the lower 70s – perfect conditions for mild-weather set-ups.

“It looks off-the-charts good,” Tasca said. “It could be some of the best conditions we’ve seen all year on one of the premier racing surfaces in the country.”

Tasca went up two spots in the Countdown to One point Funny Car point standings at Indianapolis, behind the strength of his runner-up finish – but since the points are reset at equal intervals for the playoff season, the title could go to anyone locked in. Including any of the ‘One Ford’ teams. All five made it in, so there’s a 50-50 shot the 2011 championship will be one in a Ford.

Tasca hopes he’s the last man standing.

“Everyone dreams,” Tasca said. “We’re out here to win a championship. There’s no other reason why I’m racing. If I don’t believe that I can win a championship, I’d hang up my firesuit and head on back to the dealership.”

Adult tickets start at just $40 each, with children 12 and under $5. For tickets, visit Charlotte Motor Speedway or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

The 57th NHRA US Mac Tools US Nationals

The US Nationals is one the most prestigious events to attend. I have been fortunate to attend the last two years witnessing great qualifying rounds, great racing, and meeting up with great drivers, sponsors, media, and friends. This year has to be the best time ever. Here is how the time spent at the US Nationals went.

I picked up @SFCSKI in PA at midnight on Wednesday 8/31/11, and we drove straight through 13 hours to our hotel in Indy. We got a couple hours of rest and headed out to a Surprise Birthday Party for Terry McMillen . We were so thrilled and honored to be invited to his party by Jim Walczak and Cori Wickler. Team McMillen has been instrumental and a big help with the success of the Nitro Twitter Group. The party was held at Jillian's in downtown Indy, and the whole team showed up for a night of partying and bowling. They also supplied catered food that was so delicious, and all the drinks included. It was one of the best nights to be hanging with the everyone that makes up Team McMillen. Click on the link to see picture of Terry's Party. Terry has always said that he is the NTG Poster Child, so we got him this T-Shirt for his Birthday.

He instantly took off the shirt he was wearing and put the NTG Poster Child Shirt on. This was the beginning of the most wonderful weekend ever.

The next day we meet up with @NHRAChat and proceeded to the race track. We mostly hung around Terry McMillen's pits the whole weekend where they welcomed us into their hospitality and gave us the royal treatment. We couldn't have asled for a better time at the US Nationals. Thank you Terry McMillen, Jim Walczak, Cori Wickler and the whole Amalie Team for making this years attendance at the US Nationals a time we will never forget. Here are some pictures of our time with Terry McMillen and his time on the track. Terry's Pictures

It was very sad that Terry did not make into the Top 10, but he did win the "Best Crew Award" for this event. They worked hard and never gave up with hopes in making it in. Because of the Oil Down Penalty Rule, he just missed getting into the top 10. Next year, you can bet the farm, that they will make it in. Our loyalty will live on!

We also met a bunch of great people that we have been tweeting to. Let me tell you, the NHRA is the BEST Community hands down. We have met so many people through the years at NHRA events, and most have become great friends. Like someone tweeted: "Most of my friends names start with @" LOL. I'd like to thank all those who came by to meet us. @Indidad @sremerson @Steveschiewer @kschiewer @derrick76 @massingcc23
You are all great people and it was a pleasure to finally meet up with you and put the tweet to the face.

We also met up with Andrew and Dina Parise of Parise Racing. They are a great Pro Mod husband and wife team who are looking for sponsorship to run in next years NHRA Get Screened America Series. They are great people and deserve a spot to race within the NHRA. Who knows, though, they may even like changing it up and racing a Top Fuel Dragster some Day. Check this out:

Another Fabulous moment was interviewing Clay Millican The Parts Plus Top Fuel Driver. Let me tell you, he is such a wonderful man as he took time to talk to all of us, and let us video and audio an interview. Clay's Interview. We had such a great time talking to Clay. He welcomed us into his coach and we had a great time listening to him talk. I could have stayed there all night. We are hoping to see him for the complete Full Throttle Tour in 2012. I am hoping to get more pictures of Clay and the Parts Plus Team in the future. Here are some pictures I took of Clay's Top Fuel Dragster in qualifying: Clay's Pictures

We also met up with @LDCRust as we do most of the races we attend. She is such a wonderful person and a BIG part of the NTG and the NHRA. We love her so much and love spending the time with her. We only get a little time with her at the track because she works in the tower of the credential trailer at the NHRA events. Maybe she can come to an event without working it. That would be special.

WFO Radio was also at the track for the entire event, and they compiled a lot of interviews throughout the weekend keeping them busy. They are a TOP Notch Motorsport Media Group and they a lot for promoting the NHRA. Don't forget to check out their Nitro shows which usually air on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm at their website www.wforadio.com. We finally got to meet up with @WFOJoe and the rest of the crew. Here is a picture with all of us.

Last but not least, is Team Benza. We'd like to thank @NancyBenza @amandabenza and the whole crew for taking time out of their busy schedule to talk with us and welcome us into their pits. We are sad that @BobBenza didn't make it into eliminations, but I feel that in the future they will become great competitors in Pro Stock. Nancy also took care of our swag that Castrol and JFR had sent us to give to members of the NTG. The Benza's are one of the Greatest Pro Stock Families at the track.

We also attended the Don Schumacher Open House at the DSR Shop in Brownsbug, In. That was such a wonderful event and had a great time. If you ever get a chance to go to a DSR Open House, I highly recommend going. They put on a great event, and welcome you with open arms. Great fun for all ages. Check out some pictures: DSR Open House

Pictures of the event that I took are posted in the link below. I'd also like to congratulate the winners of the 57th NHRA Mac Tools US Nationals: Antron Brown - TF, Mike Neff -FC, Greg Anderson - PS, and Hector Aran Jr - PSM.

US Nationals Pictures

NHRA Greatest Moments!

If you would like to learn more about the NHRA's Greatest Moments, I have created links to each of the 20 Greatest Moments to help you decide for yourself. Below are links to each NHRA Monent you can vote on. Then on the bottom of the page is a link to the NHRA's Facebook page where you can do your voting.

1 Founding of NHRA 1951

2. Don Garlits makes NHRA's first 200-mph run 1964

3. Snake-Mongoose Mattel Hot Wheels Sponsorship 1970

4.Don Garlits wins in debbut of Rear-Engine Dragster Pomona 1971

5. Shirley Mudowney is first woman to win in Top Fuel 1976

6. Don Prudhomme wins 7 of 8 events 1976

7. Shirley Muldowney is NHRA's First Female World Champ (1977)

8. Bob Glidden's Calendar Year Winning Streak (1978-79)

9. Don Prudhomme makes NHRA's first 250-mph Funny Car Pass (1982)

10. Don Prudhomme steals show with 5.63, one of 'greatest runs ever' (1982)

11. Shirley Muldowney def. Connie Kalitta for first Indy win (1982)

12. Don Garlits makes Return at U.S. Nationals (1984)

13. Don Garlits' Big Blowover (1986)

14. Kenny Bernstein makes NHRA's first 300-mph Run (1992)

15. John Force is first NHRA Driver to win Driver of the Year (1996)

16. Warren Johnson makes first 200-mph Pro Stock Run (1997)

17. John Force is first to win 100 career races (2002)

18. Tony Schumacher's "The Run" (2006)

19. Ashley Force Hood is first Female Funny Car Winner (2008)

20. John Force Completes Comeback, Wins 15th Championship (2010)

Please vote for your favorite 5 here: NHRA Greatest Moments

Countdown to the Championship

It has been a little while since my last blog. I have been on Vacation in California, and while there I looked for work so we could move back to be closer to our families. I did get the job and I will be moving in September right after the US Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. Jeni will follow come December. Now on to the NHRA.

I am very excited to be attending the "57th Annual Mac Tools Us Nationals" at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, IN. This is one of the longest running NHRA Events within the NHRA and a Big one. They also call it the "BIG GO". The US Nationals is the last stop before the "Countdown to the Championship" begins. If you're not in the top 10 by the end of the US Nationals, then you won't have a chance to win the 2011 Championship. The points are gathered throughout the year at each event. Points are attained by qualifying, rounds won in eliminations, and special bonus points on each of the 4 qualifying attempts for best of the 3 of each round.

So far in the Top Ten for Top Fuel, there are 5 drivers that have clinched a spot to go on the win the Championship. In Order are 1. Del Worsham 2. Spencer Massey 3. Antron Brown 4. Tony Schumacher and 5. Larry Dixon. There are 5 spots left in the Top Ten in which a few more will be clinched in Brainerd. Rounding out the Top Ten is 6. Doug Kalitta 7. Brandon Bernstein 8. Shawn Langdon 9. Morgan Lucan and 10. David Grubnic. There are 2 more drivers looking into getting in the top ten not too far behind in the points. Terry McMillen is 11th and only 18 points (1 Round) from making it in, and Bob Vandergriff is 12th, only 39 points (2 Rounds) from making it in. This weekend in Brainerd is very crucial and you better be bringing your "A" Game if you want to be a part of the "Countdown to the Championship"

In Fuel Funny Car, there are 4 drivers who have clinched a spot in the Countdown. 1. Mike Neff 2. Robert Hight 3. Jack Beckman and 4. Cruz Pedregon. Rounding out the top ten are 5. Matt Hagan 6. Ron Capps 7. John Force 8. Jeff Arend 9. Tim Wilkerson and 10. Bob Tasca III. Outside looking in are 11. Johnny Gray who is 95 points back and 12. Tony Pedregon who is 119 points behind. Most of the Fuel Funny Car drivers could clinch a spot in Brainerd this weekend.

Pro Stock Cars 7 drivers have clinched a spot in the Top Ten. 1. Jason Line 2. Greg Anderson 3. Mike Edwards 4. Vincent Nobile 5. Erica Enders 6. Allen Johnson and 7. Rodger Brogdon. Rounding out the top ten are 8. Greg Stanfield 9. Shane Gray and 10. Ron Krisher. There are 3 more Pro Stock drivers that are close to getting into the top ten. 11. Larry Morgan is 31 points back 12. Ronnie Humphrey is 43 points back and 13. V Gaines is 80 points back.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Karen Stoffer and Eddie Krawiec have clinched the playoff spots. 1. Karen Stoffer 2. Eddie Krawiec 3. LE Tonglet 4. Andrew Hines 5. Matt Smith 6. Hector Arana 7. Michael Phillips 8. Gerald Savoie 9. James Underdahl and 10. Hector Arana Jr. Outside looking in are 11. David Hope is 51 points back 12. Chip Ellis is 56 points back 13. Steve Johnson and Angie Smith are 77 points back. Still a close race there to the Top Ten.

These next 2 NHRA Events are very important to getting into the "Countdown to the Championship" I wish everyone the best and I have enjoyed this years competition to the fullest. This year has been a great year, and I am looking forward to the Countdown Race.

We have a lot of the Nitro Twitter Group attending Indy this year, and I have been blessed to be a part of the Top Alcohol News Team to interview drivers in the Alcohol Class plus drivers in the Nitro Class who have come up from the ranks of Alcohol. I will add a list of people we are interviewing as soon as it is available. I'd like to thank @NitroNate for asking me to be a part of this great opportunity.

Also last but not least, I would like to thank Rob at Castrol for for sending the Nitro Twitter Group all the Swag to be given out to the NTG in Indy. Castrol and John Force Racing has been a big supporter in helping the NTG out. Also, Terry McMillen has been a Very Big Part of the NTG, as he welcomes us into his Hospitality, mentions us in his interviews, and he says that He is our "Poster Child", in which we love so much. Team Kallita is always there also. They welcome us into their hospitality, we take special pictures behind the scenes with the drivers and cars, and have given us great support along the way. One more to mention is Vincent Nobile. He is a making in history with his Pro Stock Car. He has the NTG Decal displayed over the rear fender of his Mountain View Race car, and always gives the NTG a great welcome. Thank you All, and see you in Indy.

"Nitro Twitter Group" NTG Members

I thought I would share some information about a group of us that started up when twitter first came alive into the NHRA. John Force Racing was the first to my knowledge to have the link to Twitter on his web site. That is when I joined the fast growing community of the Social Media World. It was back in March of 2009 when I started chatting with a bunch of NHRA Teams and fans, and it grew from there.

Our first NTG tweet up was in Las Vegas in October of 2009 at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals where Jeni and I picked up Corinna, @corinnamakeup, at the Las Vegas airport. We were invited to attend Don Schumacher Racing Hospitality from Will Truitt of DSR from Twitter. We had been tweeting with DSR and helping with retweets, helping to get their name out on twitter. We were so excited to attend, and DSR showed us the best time ever. It was an experience we'd never forget.

Our second Twitter get together was in January of 2010 where we all met up at the NHRA Test & Tune in Chandler AZ at Firebird Raceway. It was such a great experience meeting everyone that I have been talking to on twitter in Person. I met Greg @NHRAChat, Lynn @PapaNitroSTL, Lisa @NHRAchik67 and her son Ty, Corinna @corinnamakeup, Kathy @KataMcB, and her husband Randy @NitroHi. I picked up Lynn and Greg at the Airport and from there the rest is history. We all met for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel by the track before we commenced in the thrills of Nitro Testing! We hung out the whole weekend together at the track and then we all had Dinner at Black Bear Cafe. Where we celebrated Ty's Birthday! It was so much fun and looking forward to someday, the whole gang meeting up.

Also, a bunch of us met up in Concord, NC for the 4-Wide NHRA Nationals, and had a great time. It is so fun meeting up with new Twitter fans of the NHRA. We had our first Tweetup where Terry McMillen showed up and hung out with the Group at Dave & Busters signing autographs and sharing stories. It was the Best time ever. Another GREAT Ford Driver Bob Tasca III has also opened his hospitality to the #NTG. We would like to thank Joe Ryan of @quick_lane for his part in helping the #NTG in this glorious meeting. In Charlotte he took members into his pit area, signing autographs, taking pictures, and talking with us on his teams performances and updates. He has joined the #NTG Facebook page and tweets to members on twitter. Bob and Joe have been a big inspiration to us all. Update as of July 18, 2011, Bob Tasca III will be adding the #NTG Decal to his Quicklane Ford Mustang in the near future. His car has already left for the Western Swing, so on return to the shop, they will then add it on he Ford Mustang Funny Car! Bob Tasca III has been a great Icon within the #NTG and we are so pleased to hear this news.

We have received a lot of support from some of the NHRA teams, drivers, and sponsors. The cars that have our #NTG decal are, Terry McMillen, Jeff Arend, Doug Kalitta, David Grubnic, Bob Benza and Vincent Nobile. Team McMillen welcomes the NTG into his Pit Area to get up close and personal with the team, with thanks to Jim Walczak and Cori Wickler. Kalitta Motorsports, thanks to Todd Myers is also a big supporter of the NTG, and has done a lot to welcome us into their hospitality to take pictures of the cars and drivers. Nancy and Bob Benza also have been a great help to the #NTG with their great hospitality to our members and always there to help us in anyway! They have all contributed to the success of the #NTG, and we appreciate all that they have done with supporting our goals. We'd also like to thank Vincent Noble, who could become the Rookie of the Year, for allowing our decal on his Pro Stock Car. Last but not least is Zizzo Racing, who interacts with the #NTG on twitter along with PR Brandon Mudd.

Steve Emerson, @sremerson, has been very instrumental with the growth of #NTG. he has a big passion for the NHRA and is there to help in any way. He heads the #NTG Facebook page, and does an awesome job keeping it current. We really appreciate all he does. Steve also has a NHRA blog that is very good, and you can follow the link on my blog to reach his.

The Members have been growing since then, and below are a list of the members to date:

John Amorosano - @NitroJohn
Jeni Amorosano - @nitrojeni
Greg Stephenson - @NHRAChat
Lynn Casper - @PapaNitroSTL
Lisa Purcell - @NHRAchik67
Corinna BertramCooke _ @corinnamakeup
Kathy McBride - @kataMcB
Randy McBride - @NitroHi
Chris Hobson - @NitroChrisUK
Dina Roberts Wakulczyk - @indydina
Angela Bland - @Angietigerfan
Mitzi - @Gottagoracing
Joe Ryan - @J88Ryan
Jenifer Nuest - @Jenimo3022
Steve Emerson - @sremerson
Vivian Grantz - @jvgrantz
Kelly - @KellyNorCal
Nancy Benza - @NancyBenza
Laura Contrera-Rust - @LDCRust
Todd Long - @lindas1200cc
Linker Mills - @linkerm
Margie Freedle - @margiefreedle
Chris Freedle - @Cfreedle73
Walt Walker - @Nine4127
Vivian Miliken - @nitrodoll
Nitro Nate - @nitronate1320
Alan Perchalski - @SFCSKI
Sharyn Legg - @surfin37
Toyse Woody Jr - @Photos_By_Toyse
Sean Bowe - @SeanBoweAtSix
Jim Walczak - @JimWalczak
Geff Whitt - @gwhitt1
Kristin Long - @Kristin0822
Sarah - @mommisadie2
Josh - @newholla
Mustangs Kids - @Mustangskids
Dean Hillestad - @MustangMatters
Mary Lola Gouge - @marylolagouge
Carrie - @Caarriieeeeeeee

Drivers

Terry McMillen - @TerryMcMillen
Kelsey Lay - @Kelsey Lay
Peggy Llewellyn - @PeggyLlewellyn
Andrew Parise - @PariseRacing
Bob Tasca III - @Tasca3
Vincent Nobile - @Vincent154
Jeff Arend - @JeffArend
Kalitta Motorsports - @Team Kalitta
Bob Benza - @BobBenza

NHRA Sponsors:

Castrol - @CastrolUSA
Quick Lane - @Quick_Lane
MotorCraft - @MQL_Racing