Marty Thacker - Gainesville Divisional Preview

Thacker Ready to Rebound in Gainesville​

Marty Thacker and the Rapid Transit Race Team are heading back to Florida this weekend in search of their first victory of the 2007 season. The Team opened their season last weekend in Bradenton where Thacker had a two tenth advantage off the starting line in the first round, but was unable to take the win light when the car unexpectedly shut off. They are hoping this weekend they will be able to get the Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels sponsored Top Alcohol Dragster in the winner’s circle.

“We were really hoping for a better start to the season. In a tough class like this, you can’t win them all so we just have to put that one behind us and focus on the rest of the season. In drag racing there are thousands of ways to lose and only one way to win,” said Thacker. “This is a great team and we have some of the best people behind us at Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels. The beginning of the year is so exciting because everyone has the chance to make a statement. This weekend we are going to go out and try to make ours.”

This is the second of three trips the Team plans to make to Florida over the span of a month. For their next event, the two-time divisional champs will head back to Gainesville to open their national event schedule.

“In this class, the blown alcohol cars are severely outnumbered. We are still trying to fine-tune our new combination from the rule changes at the end of last season. But, we feel that we can compete with anyone. Hopefully, we will be able to put on a good show and make our sponsors proud this weekend.”

Qualifying for the event will be on Saturday at 3 PM and 6 PM. On Sunday eliminations will begin at 1 PM. For up to date results please log onto dragracecentral.com.

Quick Facts

• 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.
• 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