On Thursday morning, former NHRA Super Gas world champion David Tatum III awoke to find much of his racing operation, including his familiar 1966 Chevy II, his 28-foot Gold Rush trailer, and all of its contents, had been stolen overnight from beside his race shop in Palmetto, Georgia. The news quickly spread around the racing community and support poured in for the well-liked veteran from around the country as hundreds of sets of eyeballs became attuned to the roads for sign of the stolen equipment. 

Sadly, Tatum’s prized race car was found on Saturday in a field in Georgia, just west of Atlanta, having been cut apart and left as a virtually bare shell, with the engine, drivetrain, rear end, the dash and electronics all removed. The trailer was also located, but had been emptied by the thieves, as well.

Authorities are continuing to investigate and search for leads that we’re all hoping will result in the arrest of the individuals responsible for the theft and the complete recovery of the engine, transmission, and other components taken from Tatum’s race car and trailer. Palmetto Police were reportedly able to lift fingerprints from other vehicles on the property, but have thus far been unable to identify those involved.

Given the circumstance, the components are believed likely to be parted out, and both Tatum and the Palmetto Police Department are asking fellow racers to be on the look out for the equipment, including on classified as debits such as Craigslist, eBay, and RacingJunk.

Those with information on the whereabouts of the parts or the identity of the perpetuators are urged to contact the Palmetto Police Department at  (770) 463-9068.