Mack Trucks will sponsor Tasca Racing, a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Mello Yello Series race team based in Charlotte, N.C.

As part of the three-year agreement, Mack will provide three SmartWay-certified Mack Pinnacle Axle Back model sleepers, which will transport the Tasca race car, additional engines and equipment as the team travels the nationwide race circuit. The NHRA has 16.3 million avid fans in the United States and is considered one of the largest motorsports sanctioning bodies in the world.

"The partnership between Mack and the Tasca Racing team was natural given that both are family-oriented American brands with a long history in their respective industries," said John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing. "Both companies also have a team approach to doing business, which has helped Tasca and Mack develop track records of exceptional performance."

Owned by Bob Tasca III, Tasca Racing competes in the Top Fuel Funny Car NHRA division and is backed by Ford and Ford Customer Service Division brands Motorcraft and Quick Lane. Tasca is a third-generation drag racer and vice president of the Tasca Automotive Group, a family-owned collection of dealerships and automotive-related companies based in Seekonk, Mass. and Cranston, R.I.

"Mack is known for toughness, durability and quality, as well as cultivating strong personal relationships with their customers," Tasca said. "With a very loyal U.S. fan base, I wanted to surround our team with partners that have the same values as we do and as the drag-racing enthusiasts who watch us race."

Equipped with the Mack Super Econodyne powertrain package, the Mack Pinnacle models will provide the extreme hauling power needed for the Tasca Racing team. Super Econodyne includes the Mack MP8-445SE engine and Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission for a complete Mack Pedigree Powertrain. With 505 hp, the integrated package offers up to 3.5 percent improved fuel efficiency compared with other similarly spec’d vehicles — without sacrificing power or performance, according to the manufacturer.

“Successful racing comes down to precision tuning — perfectly calibrating elements like fuel, air flow and heat to have the fastest run down the track,” Walsh said. “Mack balances many of the same elements when engineering our trucks to transport heavy loads and tackle long hauls, ultimately delivering superior performance and fuel efficiency for our customers.”

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