Marty Thacker - Atlanta National Wrap-up

Thacker’s Day Ends Too Early in Atlanta​

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The Rapid Transit Race Team sponsored by Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels had a good showing in Atlanta, including a semi-final finish, but that was a little too early for the Team from Robinson, Illinois. After qualifying number 8 for the event with a 5.45 at 252 MPH, the Team suffered a setback after their 2nd round win when they hurt the motor badly and were unable to make the call in the semi-finals.

“It was a pretty good weekend for us. The car ran pretty well and we were able to go a few rounds on race day. We feel like we could have gone further, but we just ran out of time. If they would have given us about another 10 minutes we would have been able to make the call. Unfortunately, that is the way racing goes sometimes,” said driver Marty Thacker.

In first round on Saturday evening, Thacker had the advantage off the starting line and never looked back as he ran a 5.51 at 260 MPH to take the win light. During second round, the car made it to half track before experiencing problems but with a little luck the team was still able to get the win. The two time divisional championship team was once again the quickest blown car qualified for the event.

“We have had some problems so we are going to go home and try to figure those out before the TORCO Invitational in a couple of weeks. That will give us a chance to test the car before our next NHRA event. The Team has been working really hard and with the help of our great sponsors, including our major sponsor Knoll Gas – Torco Racing Fuels, we feel like we can get this car in the winner’s circle soon.”

Quick Facts

• Thacker has been the quickest blown car at the last two national events the Team has attended.
• The Team went to three final rounds last year and earned one win at the prestigious Jeg’s All-Star event in Joliet, Illinois.
• The Team set a personal best ET of 5.26 at the TORCO Racing Fuels National event in Richmond, Virginia the end of last season.
• The 2005 Division 3 Champions finished 3rd in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points standings and finished in 16th place nationally in 2006. They are currently sitting in 9th place in the national points standings.
• The Team, based out of Robinson, Illinois, has won 5 UDRA National Championships and 2 NHRA Divisional championships.

Please visit the official team website www.rapidtransitracing.com.

You can access the full line of innovative products offered by our major sponsor TORCO Racing Fuels including racing gasoline, additives, and Skull Gear at www.torcoracefuels.com.

Visit the websites of our current associate and product sponsors at the following websites:

Hoosier Racing Tire – www.hoosiertire.com

Lucas Oil – www.lucasoil.com

Fatheadz – www.fatheadz.com

Submitted by: Shanna Snyder-Bell

Contact Person: Marty Thacker
Contact email address: mlthacker@marathonpetroleum.com