Video: See the New 341-mph NHRA Speed Record Run!Video: See the New 341-mph NHRA Speed Record Run!

Bob Tasca III drove his Mustang Dark Horse Nitro Funny Car to a new speed record of 341.68 mph.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

February 12, 2024

On February 9, 2024, at the Pro Superstar Shootout in Bradenton Motorsports Park, Bob Tasca III, behind the wheel of the PPG Mustang Dark Horse Nitro Funny Car, smashed all previous drag racing speed records by hitting an incredible 341.68 mph in just 3.840 seconds!

This not only breaks the previous record held by Robert Hight (339.87 mph in 2017) but also sets a new high-water mark for speed and performance in the world of wheel-driven drag racing.

Led by co-crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Aaron Brooks, the Tasca Racing team has once again demonstrated their dedication to excellence and innovation.

Bob Tasca III stated, "Today's record is the result of years of passion, teamwork, and the relentless chase for speed. This achievement belongs to every member of Tasca Racing, our partners at PPG, and Ford Performance. Their support and Ford's aerodynamic and engineering expertise were crucial in breaking the 340 mph barrier, a dream I've always had."

The Pro Superstar Shootout, making its debut at Bradenton Motorsports Park, provided the perfect venue for this groundbreaking feat.

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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