Pr - Marty Thacker - Preview - U.s. Nationals

Thacker Looking to Breakthrough in Indy​

Marty Thacker and the Rapid Transit Race Team are headed to Indy for their 4th race in the last 5 weeks. The 2006 Jeg’s All-Star champions are hoping to pick up their second win of the season at the most prestigious race on the NHRA POWERade circuit.

"What drag racer doesn't get hyped up about the U.S. Nationals?” asked Thacker. “It's the big one, and everyone wants to win Indy at least once in their lifetime. We have extra incentive because it's also our closest race to home and we always have a lot of friends and family in attendance. Add to that Evan, Brian and the rest of the Knoll Gas – Torco Race Fuels family and we want to win that much more. Don't misunderstand me, we never drive to an event thinking we don’t want to win, but this is the “Big Go”. We came home from Bowling Green and put our brand new engine in the car for the occasion. There's no holding back at this one."

The defending Division 3 champions are excited to get the event underway. Currently sitting in the Top 20 in the National points standings, they are looking to move up in the extremely competitive Top Alcohol Dragster class.

"So far we have been less than satisfied with our results this season. Besides the win at the Jeg's All-Stars, and a valiant runner-up effort at the St. Louis divisional event, we have had a pretty rough year. There would be no better event to turn things around than the U.S. Nationals. So, that's the goal for the weekend, put the Rapid Transit Racing, Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels / Atlantic Industrial Top Alcohol Dragster in the Indy winners circle on Labor Day. This should be a blast."

Unlike most races, the Top Alcohol Dragster class will have 4 qualifying shots this race beginning on Thursday at 2:30 PM. Qualifying continues on Friday with 2 shots, one at noon and the other at 4:30 PM. They will wrap up qualifying on Saturday at 11 AM and first round will be held Sunday at 10 AM. Eliminations will continue following the Pro session Monday.

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.
• 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 in the top 20 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