Hot Rod Fuller will entertain three CAT dealerships this weekend in Topeka. (Roger Richards)
The NHRA race at Heartland Park Topeka marks the first event that will
see multiple Caterpillar dealer groups participate in the NHRA
technician recruiting program. The David Powers-owned, Rod
Fuller-driven Caterpillar dragster will fly the logos of Martin
Tractor, Foley Equipment and Warren Cat during the 20th annual O’Reilly
Summer Nationals at Heartland Park. Linn State Technical College and
Crossland Construction also will be involved in the team’s activities
during the weekend.
The relationship between David Powers Motorsports, Caterpillar and the
Caterpillar Dealer Groups was designed as a pilot program to increase
technician recruiting. Many Caterpillar dealers are experiencing a
shortage of technicians, and after successful events in several NHRA
markets during the 2007 season, DPM and Caterpillar inked a multiyear
agreement last August to participate in the NHRA dealer recruitment
program.
"The NHRA Summer Nationals at Topeka is a special race for Caterpillar
as this will be the first event that we have had three Caterpillar
dealers collectively participating in the NHRA technician recruiting
program, as well as Cat equipment on display for marketing and sales
programs,” Caterpillar’s Stan Deatherage said. “All three dealers,
Martin, Foley Equipment and Warren, also will utilize customer
entertainment in the David Powers Motorsports Iron Eagle Club
hospitality area. All three dealers will have their logos on the
dragster, along with Caterpillar Think Big educational partner Linn
State Technical College."