Thiel hoping to win one for the kids in Vegas
Las Vegas, Nev. -- The 2009 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals held at Las Vegas
Motor Speedway is more than just a simple drag race for Pleasant Grove,
Calif. rice farmer Brian Thiel. This is an opportunity to win a race for
Bruton Smith's Speedway Children's Charities at his track.
Flying the colors of Speedway Children's Charities this weekend, Thiel
believes his 2002 Chevy Camaro Funny Car will not only make the tough
16-car field, but be a threat to take home the "Wally" in NHRA's tough
Division 7 NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car classification. "This car has
been thundering recently," noted Thiel. "At the D-7 race in Bakersfield
it was one of the fastest cars out there and this new motor we have is
producing some great numbers."
Thiel enters this weekend's race being tuned by his friend and team
mate Divison 6 NHRA champion Brian Hough. Hough and Thiel both feel the
conditions in Vegas will produce some stellar elapsed times. "The air in
Vegas this time of year will be ripe for the pickings", Thiel stated.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see a few 5.50's out of these cars this
weekend. The car has been running great to half track recently and if we
can fix our blower issues, the Speedway Children's Charities Camaro we
will be a threat this weekend."
Making a difference in a child's life is the focus of Speedway
Children's Charities. SCC strives to do this in collaboration with the
non-profit organizations it supports nationwide. Individually, SCC's
local chapters identify the needs of children in their communities and
award grants to organizations that address them. Last December, the Las
Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities granted $314,000 to 67
local children's causes during its annual grant distribution ceremony.
The charity also raised over $16,000 dollars at the Cards for Kids Poker
fund raiser this past Wednesday night at the Cannery Casino and Hotel.
Thiel's team will have three attempts to crack the tough 16-car fields
beginning on Friday at 11:00 am. The team will host over 20 children
who were helped by the Speedway Children's Charities foundation in 2009
at 2:30pm on Friday afternoon.
-credit: btr
