A mechanical failure Sunday halfway through Steve Torrence’s first-round race against David Grubnic caused the motor in his Top Fuel dragster to suddenly go quiet and he found himself coasting toward The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s finish line.
At almost the same time, Grubnic’s motor also stopped. Only Grubnic’s car had a bit more momentum and it was enough to get him to the finish line first by about 15 feet in the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals.
It was just an unlucky run in Las Vegas, but, overall, this was another positive outing for the Torrence Racing/Capco Contractors Inc. team in just its third race. Torrence’s elapsed times improved – his 3.856-second 1,000-foot effort Friday evening put him into the No. 8 starting position, and he had three solid qualifying runs.
“We had another good race,” said Torrence. “We’re getting better with every race. I really wanted to be on the winning side of the coasting race, but couldn’t do it. I left (the starting line) first but could hear his car beside me. My car just went quiet about half-track, and then I heard his motor quit. It was a good race.”
Grubnic’s winning time was 4.118 seconds at 216.74 mph to Torrence’s 4.176 at 213.84.
“We are going to test here Monday to get ready for our last race of the season at Pomona (Calif.),” Torrence said.
The Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals takes place Nov. 10-13.
At almost the same time, Grubnic’s motor also stopped. Only Grubnic’s car had a bit more momentum and it was enough to get him to the finish line first by about 15 feet in the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals.
It was just an unlucky run in Las Vegas, but, overall, this was another positive outing for the Torrence Racing/Capco Contractors Inc. team in just its third race. Torrence’s elapsed times improved – his 3.856-second 1,000-foot effort Friday evening put him into the No. 8 starting position, and he had three solid qualifying runs.
“We had another good race,” said Torrence. “We’re getting better with every race. I really wanted to be on the winning side of the coasting race, but couldn’t do it. I left (the starting line) first but could hear his car beside me. My car just went quiet about half-track, and then I heard his motor quit. It was a good race.”
Grubnic’s winning time was 4.118 seconds at 216.74 mph to Torrence’s 4.176 at 213.84.
“We are going to test here Monday to get ready for our last race of the season at Pomona (Calif.),” Torrence said.
The Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals takes place Nov. 10-13.
