NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Bob Tasca III will pilot the NewFordTech Ford Mustang Funny Car at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals as Ford continues its campaign to attract, retain and recognize its automotive technicians.

This special paint scheme coincides with the beginning of the new school year and return of NHRA’s Youth and Education Serviceso program.

“It’s important for us to get the word out that the automotive technician career path is a lucrative, viable option for students, and that there are jobs available at our Ford and Lincoln dealerships. What could be more effective than using an NHRA Funny Car to communicate this important message?” said Jasmine Pendleton, manager, Motorsports, Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD).

During the 2018-’19 school year, more than 25,000 students from 725 schools around the country got the chance to get a head start on their careers as Ford/Lincoln technicians through YES programs co-sponsored by FCSD and its Motorcraft and Quick Lane brands. After piloting the opportunity during the 2018 race season by hosting six events, FCSD decided to make technician recruitment a major focus this season, bumping that commitment to all 16 events in 2019.

Students who attend a YES program have a full morning of activity, hearing a special message from Tasca, a third generation Ford dealer, and getting the chance to meet with local Ford dealerships to discuss employment opportunities.

YES students also are invited to see racing technicians up close in the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing hospitality area, while Tasca’s crew members rebuild a 11,000 horsepower engine in just a little over an hour after every run down the 1,000-foot track.

Ford offers many avenues for entry into a career as a Ford/Lincoln technician through NewFordTech. High school students interested in becoming Ford or Lincoln automotive technicians have opportunities to continue their education at over 75 post-secondary training locations throughout the country, including the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program and the Ford Accelerated Credentials Training (FACT) program.  

The new technician-inspired paint scheme comes on the heels of another FCSD unveiled for the August NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway. For that event, Wood Brothers Racing honored 78 20-year Ford Senior Master Technicians by racing with their names on the sides of the No. 21 Ford Mustang. Ford Service Engineering Operations (Ford SEO), working with Ford Motorcraft, honored automotive technicians who have maintained Senior Master status for 20 years as part of a major initiative to help promote the automotive technician career by rewarding the hard work of those excelling in the field.