Pr - Marty Thacker - Preview - Joliet Divisional

Thacker Hoping for Repeat Performance in Joliet​

After taking the last few weeks off, the Rapid Transit Race Team will head back to Joliet, Illinois for the Lucas Oil Divisional Series event. Last month, the Team earned their first win of the season here during the prestigious Jeg’s All-Star race. The defending Division 3 championship team is hoping to repeat that performance and earn valuable points towards defending the title.

"We always get excited when it's time to return to Route 66. It's where we broke the 270 MPH barrier. It's where we became the 3rd alcohol car to run in the 5.20's. It's the site of our 2 All-Star Wins. Not to mention it is only a few hours from home,” Thacker said. “It is great to see what the car can really do during qualifying, which takes place in the evening at this event, but if you don't use those passes to try and figure out your Sunday afternoon tune-up, you are going to have an uphill battle during eliminations.”

“This Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels dragster has turned in some great performances at this track, but we have struggled on Sunday. Our goal is to break this tradition this weekend and come away with another win. I've always heard that as you get older, you get wiser. If that's true, I should have gotten wise enough to figure this game out by now. Problem is, every time I think I got it, the car has seems to get a mind of it’s own. Isn’t this a great sport?!”

The qualifying for the event will begin at 5 PM on Friday. Two more time runs will be held on Saturday at 5 PM and 8 PM. Eliminations will begin on Sunday at 1 PM following opening ceremonies. For up to date coverage please visit www.dragracecentral.com.

Quick Facts

• The Team continues to work with the Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels dragster driven by Dave Hedges. They will try to use this to their advantage during the event this weekend where both cars will be in attendance.
• The Team is coming off their first win of the season last month at the prestigious Jeg’s All-Star event.
• 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