Pr - Marty Thacker - Preview - Bowling Green Divisional

Thacker Ready to Race in Bowling Green​

The Rapid Transit Race Team is heading to Bowling Green, Kentucky this weekend to continue their Division 3 title defense. The defending divisional champions are very excited to get back on the race track after a good showing in Brainerd two weeks ago on the national event level. Currently sitting in 2nd place in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional points standings, they are looking to gain some ground on the current division leader.

"We resolved some key electronic issues in Brainerd. I believe this will allow me to begin using some of the tune-up strategies I used a couple years ago. If it all comes together, we should start seeing some great numbers popping up on the board."

Thacker is coming off a runner-up finish at his last divisional event that was held in St. Louis earlier this month. In 2004, he set the track record at Beach Bend Raceway Park running a 5.52 at 260 MPH. The Team, which has earned back-to-back runner-up finishes at this event, is hoping to take it one more step and get into the winner’s circle this weekend.

"Ah, Kentucky in August, what else can you say? Let's put on a seven-layer firesuit, a helmet and climb into a time bomb. All I know is that I'd sleep in the car with my gear on if I thought it would help the Rapid Transit / Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels dragster win the race. We've stumbled in the final round the last 2 years at this event, but they've completed a major renovation to Beach Bend's 1/4 mile since last season. Hopefully this year we can get it right and put the team back in the winner’s circle."

Qualifying will begin on Friday at 5 PM. The Team will have two more shots to qualify for the very competitive field on Saturday at 1 PM and 4:30 PM. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 1PM on Sunday following the pre-race ceremonies.

Quick Facts

• The Team has been to two final rounds this year earning one win at the prestigious Jeg’s All-Star event earlier this year in Joliet, Illinois.
• During the Brainerd event the team ran well and earned the distinction of being the quickest blown car on the property.
• The defending Division 3 Champions currently sit in the #2 spot in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points standings and in the top 20 nationally.
• This is the 3rd race of the month for the team. They will have one more next weekend when they travel to Indianapolis to compete in the prestigious U.S. Nationals.
• 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