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TOPEKA, Kansas – Steve Torrence is known to save his best for last, especially last drag races, which is why the four-time World Champion and his CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota are on everyone’s radar this week as Heartland Motorsports Park plays host for the 34th and final time to the Menard’s Nationals presented by Pet Armor.
Team CAPCO at the Menard’s Nationals
STEVE TORRENCE
Total appearances: 11
Final rounds: 3
Victories: 1 (2019)
No. 1 qualifier: 1 (2019)
Won-Lost record: 18-10
Mission 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge points (season): 11
Noteworthy: Steve won his only Top Fuel event at Heartland Park by beating his dad Billy in an all-CAPCO final in 2019.
Quickest time: 3.677 seconds, May 20, 2017
Fastest speed: 334.24 mph, May 20, 2018
Track records – 3.660 seconds by Tony Schumacher, May 20, 2017; 334.90 mph by Clay Millican, May 21, 2018.
Total appearances: 11
Final rounds: 3
Victories: 1 (2019)
No. 1 qualifier: 1 (2019)
Won-Lost record: 18-10
Mission 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge points (season): 11
Noteworthy: Steve won his only Top Fuel event at Heartland Park by beating his dad Billy in an all-CAPCO final in 2019.
Quickest time: 3.677 seconds, May 20, 2017
Fastest speed: 334.24 mph, May 20, 2018
Track records – 3.660 seconds by Tony Schumacher, May 20, 2017; 334.90 mph by Clay Millican, May 21, 2018.
It'll be the eighth time in his pro career Torrence has raced in a venue’s final NHRA tour event, the third time he’s done so this year alone.
In the previous seven, he won more rounds than any other racer in any pro category (18), won 75% of the two-car heats in which he was involved, and never failed to at least reach the semifinals.
Combine that stellar record with his recent history at Heartland Park – runner-up last year to close friend Antron Brown, a 2019 victory over his dad, Billy, in an all-CAPCO final round, and six straight semifinal appearances, and it’s easy to see why the spotlight shines so brightly this week on the 40-year-old Texan and his “CAPCO boys.”
“The biggest thing is that we’ve finally got a car again that responds to what Hoagie (crew chief Richard Hogan) and Bobby (Lagana Jr.) tell it to do,” Torrence said. “We won four championships on consistency and that’s what we’re getting back to, being able to make the adjustments that give us the best chance (for success) whatever the conditions are.”
Victorious last month at Seattle and winner of the last two episodes of the Mission Foods/US 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge, which features the semifinalists from the previous Camping World tour event, Torrence will start the qualifying process trailing Justin Ashley by a mere 32 points. That the 54-time tour winner still is in contention for his fifth regular season Top Fuel championship is directly attributable to the team’s enhanced consistency.
Even though Ashley has won five times and Torrence but once, Team CAPCO never has slipped further than second in points and its driver has been atop the standings after just as many races as his chief rival.
Photo by Will Lester
Steve Torrence executes a burnout in his CAPCO Contractors dragster. The four-time World Champion will compete this week in the 34th and final Menard's Nationals at Topeka, Kan.
“Like I’ve said, the only time it’s important to lead the standings is on November the 13th – after the (In-N-Out) Finals,” Torrence said. “Right now, whatever happens, you know the pencil-pushers are gonna redo the points after Indy and then it’s just a six-race shootout to the championship with a whole lotta teams in the mix – not just mine and Justin’s.”
Menard’s Nationals qualifying begins with a single nitro session at 8 p.m., Texas time on Friday. Saturday’s 3 p.m. Top Fuel qualifying session will be followed at 3:20 p.m. by the first round of the 2Fast/2Tasty Challenge with Torrence facing off against Brown on one side of the ladder and Ashley opposing Josh Hart on the other. Final round of the Challenge will follow the final qualifying session at 5:30 p.m., Texas time. Sunday eliminations begin at 11 a.m., Texas time.
In addition to his 2019 Top Fuel win at Heartland Park, Torrence won twice at the Topeka track in 2005 en route to the Lucas Oil Series Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship. He is the only driver to have won NHRA championships in both he Top Fuel and Top Alcohol categories.
Photo by Mark Rebilas
Steve Torrence executes a burnout in his CAPCO Contractors dragster. The four-time World Champion will compete this week in the 34th and final Menard's Nationals at Topeka, Kan.
Looking Back:
Steve Torrence at the Menard’s Nationals
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2010 Topeka 6. Lost to Terry McMillen
2012 Topeka 2. Beat Hillary Will; lost to David Grubnic (centerline dq)
2013 Topeka 9. Beat David Grubnic; lost to Shawn Langdon
2014 Topeka 4. Lost to Terry McMillen
2015 Topeka 11. Lost to Brittany Force
2016 Topeka 3. Beat Smax Smith, Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta
2017 Topeka 5. Beat Mike Salinas, Brittany Force, Clay Millican; lost to Antron Brown
2018 Topeka 2. Beat Terry Haddock, Brittany Force; lost to Terry McMillen
2019 Topeka 1. Beat Terry Totten, bye, Antron Brown and Billy Torrence
2020 Topeka Event Not Contested
2021 Topeka 4. Beat Leah Pruett, Justin Ashley; lost to Brittany Force
2022 Topeka 4. Beat Kyle Wurtzel, Tony Schumacher, Mike Salinas; lost to Antron Brown
Steve Torrence at the Menard’s Nationals
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2010 Topeka 6. Lost to Terry McMillen
2012 Topeka 2. Beat Hillary Will; lost to David Grubnic (centerline dq)
2013 Topeka 9. Beat David Grubnic; lost to Shawn Langdon
2014 Topeka 4. Lost to Terry McMillen
2015 Topeka 11. Lost to Brittany Force
2016 Topeka 3. Beat Smax Smith, Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta
2017 Topeka 5. Beat Mike Salinas, Brittany Force, Clay Millican; lost to Antron Brown
2018 Topeka 2. Beat Terry Haddock, Brittany Force; lost to Terry McMillen
2019 Topeka 1. Beat Terry Totten, bye, Antron Brown and Billy Torrence
2020 Topeka Event Not Contested
2021 Topeka 4. Beat Leah Pruett, Justin Ashley; lost to Brittany Force
2022 Topeka 4. Beat Kyle Wurtzel, Tony Schumacher, Mike Salinas; lost to Antron Brown
Steve Torrence’s 2023 results
Event Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2023 Gainesville 2. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Doug Kalitta; lost to Mike Salinas
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
2023 Las Vegas1 2. Runner-Up to Antron Brown (Brittany Force, Josh Hart)
2023 Charlotte1 4. Lost in final quad to Austin Prock, Leah Pruett, Josh Hart.
2023 Chicago 8. Lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Epping 8. Beat Austin Prock, Antron Brown; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Bristol 3. Beat Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Norwalk 2. Beat Doug Foley; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 Seattle 4. Beat Josh Hart, Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta
2023 Sonoma 2. Beat Ron August, advanced on bye run; lost to Antron Brown
NHRA CAMPING WORLD TOUR
Championship Points
(After 12 of 15 races setting the lineup for the Countdown to the Championship)
TOP FUEL
1. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 935
2. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 903
3. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac dragster/ Monster Energy 736
4. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 721
5. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Rayce Rudeen dragster 718
6. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 715
7. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools/Toyota dragster 672
8. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster 654
9. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster 651
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 604
11. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 588
12. Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Equipment dragster 485
Looking Ahead
2023 NHRA Camping World Tour Steve-O’s Highlights
8-20 Lucas Oil Nationals Brainerd, MN Won the last two years
9-4 Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, IN 2017 and 2021 winner
Countdown to the Championship
9-17 Pep Boys Nationals Reading, PA 2018 winner
9-24 NHRA Carolina Nationals Charlotte, NC 2018, 2019 winner
10-1 NHRA Midwest Nationals St. Louis, MO 6 straight final rounds; wins in
2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
10-15 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Dallas, TX 2018, 2020 winner
10-29 NHRA Nevada Nationals Las Vegas, NV 2016, 2018, 2021 winner
11-12 In-N-Out World Finals Pomona, CA 2018, 2021 winner
Steve Torrence’s Results in “Last Drag Races”
Year/Location Q Position/Results
2009 Memphis 12. Beat Pat Dakin, Cory McClenathan; lost to Morgan Lucas
2017 Englishtown 2. Beat Smax Smith, Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown
2021 Atlanta 2. Beat Buddy Hull, Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon; lost to Antron Brown
2022 Houston 1. Beat Buddy Hull, Mike Salinas; lost to Justin Ashley
2022 Richmond 3. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Austin Prock; lost to Brittany Force
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
On TV (subject to change)
Qualifying highlights from 7-9 pm, ET, Saturday on FS1. Final qualifying, 1-3 pm, ET, Sunday, FS1.
Eliminations, 3-6 pm, ET, Sunday on FS1
Event Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2023 Gainesville 2. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Doug Kalitta; lost to Mike Salinas
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
2023 Las Vegas1 2. Runner-Up to Antron Brown (Brittany Force, Josh Hart)
2023 Charlotte1 4. Lost in final quad to Austin Prock, Leah Pruett, Josh Hart.
2023 Chicago 8. Lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Epping 8. Beat Austin Prock, Antron Brown; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Bristol 3. Beat Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Norwalk 2. Beat Doug Foley; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 Seattle 4. Beat Josh Hart, Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta
2023 Sonoma 2. Beat Ron August, advanced on bye run; lost to Antron Brown
NHRA CAMPING WORLD TOUR
Championship Points
(After 12 of 15 races setting the lineup for the Countdown to the Championship)
TOP FUEL
1. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 935
2. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 903
3. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac dragster/ Monster Energy 736
4. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 721
5. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Rayce Rudeen dragster 718
6. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 715
7. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools/Toyota dragster 672
8. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster 654
9. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster 651
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 604
11. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 588
12. Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Equipment dragster 485
Looking Ahead
2023 NHRA Camping World Tour Steve-O’s Highlights
8-20 Lucas Oil Nationals Brainerd, MN Won the last two years
9-4 Dodge Power Brokers U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, IN 2017 and 2021 winner
Countdown to the Championship
9-17 Pep Boys Nationals Reading, PA 2018 winner
9-24 NHRA Carolina Nationals Charlotte, NC 2018, 2019 winner
10-1 NHRA Midwest Nationals St. Louis, MO 6 straight final rounds; wins in
2017, 2018, 2021, 2022
10-15 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Dallas, TX 2018, 2020 winner
10-29 NHRA Nevada Nationals Las Vegas, NV 2016, 2018, 2021 winner
11-12 In-N-Out World Finals Pomona, CA 2018, 2021 winner
Steve Torrence’s Results in “Last Drag Races”
Year/Location Q Position/Results
2009 Memphis 12. Beat Pat Dakin, Cory McClenathan; lost to Morgan Lucas
2017 Englishtown 2. Beat Smax Smith, Clay Millican, Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown
2021 Atlanta 2. Beat Buddy Hull, Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon; lost to Antron Brown
2022 Houston 1. Beat Buddy Hull, Mike Salinas; lost to Justin Ashley
2022 Richmond 3. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Austin Prock; lost to Brittany Force
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
On TV (subject to change)
Qualifying highlights from 7-9 pm, ET, Saturday on FS1. Final qualifying, 1-3 pm, ET, Sunday, FS1.
Eliminations, 3-6 pm, ET, Sunday on FS1
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America (more than 49,000 of them in the U.S.).Over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 45 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the company’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.4 million cars and trucks (more than 2.1 million in the U.S.) in 2022, of which, nearly one quarter were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).
About CAPCO Contractors Inc.
Capco Contractors, Inc. is a family owned-and-operated construction company specializing in the oil and gas industries. A proud American company based in Texas with clients around the world, Capco was founded in 1995 by Billy Torrence and initially operated from a small office and one job-site trailer with a staff of only 12 employees. From those humble beginnings, Capco Contactors, Inc. has developed into a full-service pipeline company, capable of all aspects of pipeline work including site work, creation of compressor stations, mainline pipeline construction and pipeline integrity projects. It employs more than 200 people with main offices in Henderson, Texas.
