Pr - Marty Thacker - Joliet National Wrap-up

Thacker Wins Prestigious Jeg’s All-Star Event​

The Rapid Transit Race Team rolled into Joliet, IL last weekend hoping to come away with a win. And that is exactly what they accomplished. The Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels sponsored Top Alcohol Dragster ran some of their best numbers of the year while on their way to the Jeg’s All-Stars winner’s circle.

“What a roller coaster weekend. Friday, we couldn't buy an ounce of good luck with all the money in the world. Saturday, our luck changed and we were able to get a couple of breaks when we needed them. Then on Sunday, it was back to having problems again,” said driver Marty Thacker. “Just before this event, we changed some equipment back to our 2003 arrangement and things seem to be coming back our way. The car performed great during the Jeg's All-Star race. We were so happy to win the "best of the best" competition for our Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels family and the folks at Atlantic Industrial.”

During first round of the All-Star competition, Thacker cut an .021 light and ran a 5.38 at 262 mph to take out the event’s number one qualifier. Then, with the second round bye, Thacker ran a 5.42 to earn lane choice for the final round. In the all Torco sponsored finale, Thacker left on his opponent and never looked back running a 5.37 at 263 mph to take the win light.

On Sunday morning, the Team was unable to continue their streak when they suffered a first round loss after qualifying #9 for the Carquest Auto Parts National event.

“Sunday, we just had too much horsepower or not enough clutch screwed in. Those two (the engine and the clutch) are always fighting with each other. We need to send a big thank you to the people at Jeg’s. They put a lot of their time and money into the All-Star competition throughout the entire season. You know when you visit with them that their heart is in the right place. What a great bunch."

The next event for the Rapid Transit Race Team will be this weekend, June 16th thru the 18th , at the Lucas Oil Divisional event in Rusk, Texas.

Quick Facts

• This was the 4th Jeg’s All-Star event for the team in the past 5 years. They have been to the finals three times, earning the win in this year and in 2002.
• The defending Division 3 Champions currently sit in the Top 10 in the points standings following the first event of the series.
• The Team, based out of Robinson, Illinois, has won 5 UDRA National Championships and 2 NHRA Divisional championships.
• Four of the Rapid Transit Race Team crew members race in the NHRA Super Comp class.

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:

Atlantic Industrial – www.atscaf.com

Valvoline - www.valvoline.com/pages/racing

Hoosier Racing Tire – www.hoosiertire.com

Fatheadz – www.fatheadz.com

Submitted by: Shanna Snyder-Bell

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