Pr - Marty Thacker - Preview - Columbus Divisional

Thacker Heading to Columbus to Defend Title ​

The Rapid Transit Race Team will be on the road again this weekend when they head to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the final event of the Division 3 Lucas Oil Divisional Series. After driving to Reading last weekend to watch it rain, they are really hoping to actually make a pass down the quarter mile so they can try out their new blower overdrive combination.

"I think the weatherman is now watching to see where the Rapid Transit team is headed each weekend. That way he can predict rain and have a very good chance at being right. We watched it rain for 3 1/2 days at Maple Grove last weekend before NHRA was forced to postpone the event. Now rain is threatening the event at National Trail this weekend. Hopefully the weatherman gets it wrong and we have great weather to figure out our new blower overdrive combination,” said Thacker.

The defending event and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship Team is hoping to move up in the standing this weekend by putting their Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels dragster in the winner’s circle.

“I've spent several hours on the computer the last two weeks, running and re-running the numbers, trying to figure out the correct fuel system, compression ratio, gear ratio, and clutch set-up for the additional boost we will be experiencing. But, we won't really know how the car will react until we send the Knoll Gas - Torco Racing Fuels and Atlantic Industrial sponsored dragster down the 1/4 mile. Hopefully there are a lot of folks out there praying for us."

Qualifying will be held on Friday and Saturday at 5 PM and 1 & 5 PM, respectively. On Sunday, Top Alcohol Dragster final eliminations will begin at 1 PM following the opening ceremonies. Please log on to dragracecentral.com to keep up with the Team’s progress this weekend.

Quick Facts

• Last year, Thacker qualified #6 and clinched the divisional championship with a win at this event.
• 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.
• This weekend marks the 4th race for the Team in the last 5 weeks. Earlier in the month they earned a runner-up finish at the St. Louis divisional race.
• The defending Division 3 Champions currently sit in the #3 spot in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series points standings and 15th place nationally.
• 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