The “Tricon Rocket” aka “Problem Child” is a Nitro Funny Car raced by our very own President, Todd Plate; they are “Hard Core. Literally.”
If there is one thing Todd Plate enjoys, it is competition. If you get to count two things, the second is winning. The common thread for Todd since he was a young man: “Work hard and do your best”. From a walk-on role at the University of Michigan as a freshman in 1986, to All Big Ten honors and team captain as a starting cornerback in 1990, Todd understands working hard to achieve constant improvement.
That drive to compete did not go away when Todd graduated from UofM in 1990. Todd raced in the Lucas Oil Drag Boat series, setting world records in several categories with a top speed of 261mph!
Today, Todd has “toned it down” a bit from the dangers of drag boat racing. He continues to partner with close friend and drag boat racing legend, Eddie Knox, but has traded the water for asphalt in the NHRA Legends and Heritage Series – Nitro/Nostalgia Funny Car.
“The car feels much safer than the boat. On the water, you need to start the engine, hold the starter rope, get pointed straight and then hit the throttle. On the track with Eddie, we have a great team. They get me to the start and I can focus on my pre-race checklist and getting off the line.”
For Todd, managing the team at Tricon is a similar experience. He loves the teamwork required to deliver top-notch products and services. From the sales team in the field to the welders in the shop, everyone has a role to play. When asked what he enjoys most about leading a great team, he answered with a sly smile: “Winning!”
