After the University of Southern California Trojans beat "THE" Ohio State University football team,
35-3 to kick off the 2008 College Football season, Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel was quoted as
saying, "You have to consider the boys from Southern California a serious threat to win it all."
The Rick Jackson Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team hopes the 'vested-one' was referring to their
Santa Clarita, Calif. based team as well.
The Southern California invaders endeavor to taste victory this weekend during the running of the
NHRA Buckeye Fuel Wars, the fifth race of the Division 3 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series held this
weekend at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio.
The team is coming off a three week sabbatical and are looking forward to putting their Ford
Mustang bodied TAFC back on the historic Ohio quarter-mile. After a semi-final appearance at their
last race appearance in Norwalk, Ohio, where gremlins and solid running opponent Chris Foster
prevented them from reaching the final round, car owner Rick Jackson believes the team is poised
and ready to return to the level they are accustomed to.
"After our last race in Norwalk where the Electronic Tachometer failed in the semi-finals, we
decided to go with a new system which will be a bit more user friendly for our driver Tony
Bartone," stated Rick Jackson, the owner of Centre Pointe Collision Center's located in Santa
Clarita. "And our great crew lead by Steve Boggs had this car set on kill in Norwalk. It's
consistently quick and we feel as if every time we head out to the track we get a little better
each time. I think we'll prove that this weekend in Columbus."
As a successful business owner, Jackson understands employee morale is essential in creating a
cohesive team. Earlier this week, he took his team flying in a few World War II airplanes. "The
boys and I had a great time in those vintage fighters," concluded Jackson. "They are the best in
the business and they deserved a day of fun."
Jackson's driver, 29-time NHRA National Event winner, Tony Bartone compiled a 37-0 consecutive
round win streak in 1996 in Top Alcohol Funny Car. The streak was broken in Columbus, however the
Boca Raton, Fla. based driver feels his team is ready to begin a new streak at the same National
Trail Raceway.
The Jackson Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car will hit the track on Friday with a qualifying attempt
scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The team will also have two more opportunities to qualify for the
eight-car field, Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. local time. Eliminations will commence on Sunday at
Noon.
For more information about this weekend's event, please visit http://www.nationaltrailraceway.com
For more information about the Rick Jackson Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car team, please visit their
website @ http://www.rickjacksonracing.com
Keep up to date with round by round up to the minute race results posted on http://www.dragracecentral.com
