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OCMP honors seven-time IHRA World Champion and corn ethanol advocate
Mark Thomas takes a break from racing, joins OCGA Board

MARION, Ohio – The Ohio Corn Marketing Program (OCMP), one of many sponsors of Pro Funny Car Driver Mark Thomas, is thanking him for years of service in driving the Ethanol Performs! car in the International Hot Rod Association.

For more than 20 years Thomas has driven an ethanol-powered car that has led him to be the only International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) driver in history to earn the World Championship honor seven times.

Thomas recently announced he would be taking time off from racing to spend more time at home with his family at their farm in Louisville, Ohio, in Stark County. He will join the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) Board of Directors in January.

“I’m very proud of Ohio agriculture,” Thomas said. “The fact that we have a voice and I can help be that voice for growers means a lot to me. The board members are a great group—the cream of the crop.”

Thomas is a dairy producer who is in support of ethanol. He said, “I think that ethanol is worthwhile because any time we can help our agricultural side of life it will come back to our [the farmer’s] side.”

“OCGA and OCMP are very proud to have backed Thomas in his successful racing career,” said OCGA and OCMP Executive Director Dwayne Siekman. “He will be a wonderful addition to our team.”

About Ohio Corn Growers Association

The Ohio Corn Growers Association represents the interests of more than 20,000 corn growers in the state. OCGA works in Washington and at the Ohio Statehouse to ensure government participation in legislation is beneficial to Ohio's growers. Farmers provide food, feed and fuel to power Ohio. For more information, go to http://www.ohiocorn.org.