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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Torrence Takes Win Streak to Playoffs
MELLO YELLO CHAMP DEFENDS TITLE AT MAPLE GROVE
READING, Pa. – Drag racing is a “what have you done for me lately” sport and since Steve Torrence and his all-conquering Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster have gone four races
without celebrating a single NHRA tour victory, the minority viewpoint is that the reigning Mello Yello Champion is in a slump.
If so, it’s the kind of “slump” for which most of his Top Fuel rivals gladly would gnaw off an arm or a leg.
In fact, entering this week’s 35th annual Mopar Express Lane Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the first of the six races comprising the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, it would be difficult to find anyone who would bet against the Capco Kid, crew chief Richard Hogan and their gang of outlaws and misfits.
After all, they’ve already won eight times this year and despite the aforementioned “slump,” the talented Torrence won his record third straight regular season championship by the biggest margin in NHRA racing history (558.points).
Furthermore, it was only a year ago that he and his team rolled into Reading in a similar situation after failing to reach the winners’ circle in the five previous tour events. He quickly addressed any concerns, though, by winning six consecutive events and 36 consecutive racing rounds, streaks he’ll try to extend on Sunday.
Although he qualified No. 1 just once during last year’s record playoff run, Kilgore College graduate snatched up a remarkable 96.3 percent of the maximum available points (834 of 866). It was a level of domination that would be nearly impossible to duplicate. Fortunately, duplication isn’t required.
All Torrence has to do is simply what he’s done on a regular basis the last three seasons. In the 72 events starting with the 2016 Countdown, he has taken his hybrid hot rod to the finals 34 times and hoisted the trophy on 28 occasions. The most telling statistic, though, may be the fact that he has lost in the first round just six times.
“Lasf year was unbelievable,” Torrence said. “To win six straight races, whether it’s in the Countdown or just the regular season, is incredible. Everything has to go perfect.
“The crew chiefs have to make the right calls, the crew can’t make a mistake putting the parts and pieces together, the driver has to do his job and, even after all that, you still need some luck. So, sweeping the Countdown a second time isn’t that likely, but it’s still our goal.
“It’ll be even tougher (this year) because we’re running two cars at every race,” said the 35-time tour winner. “If my dad (Billy) hadn’t made the Countdown, he would have run the other car just two or three times. Now, he’s running all six races so that’ll spread us a little thinner, but it’s great for him to get the chance.
“He’s done a great job this year and I’m really proud of him and that team,” said the cancer and heart attack survivor. “We’ve always raced as a family, me, my mom (Kay) and my dad, but to do it at this level is really special.”
The elder Torrence, founder and CEO of Capco, a Texas-based oil-and-gas pipeline construction and maintenance company, has won twice already this year in the second Capco dragster and, even though he missed eight of the 18 qualifying races, earned the 10th and final Top Fuel spot in the Countdown.
“We’ve got a great team, a great car and a great track record, but that’s just history,” Torrence said. “You still have to perform in the playoffs and none of these guys is going to go easy on us, especially after last year. We’ve got a target on our back, but that’s fine. We earned it.”
The Champ at Maple Grove Raceway:
Last year at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals: as the No. 4 qualifier,
Steve beat Bill Litton, Mike Salinas, Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher for his first
victory at Maple Grove Raceway.
Starts/Final Rounds/Wins/No. 1 Qualifier: 7/2/1/0
Steve’s quickest time at Maple Grove Raceway: 3.691 seconds, Oct. 2, 2016
Steve’s fastest speed at Maple Grove Raceway: 330.88 mph, Sept. 14, 2018
Steve’s won-lost record at Maple Grove Raceway: 9-6
Steve’s best moment(s) at Maple Grove Raceway: Runner-up at the 2016 event,
Steve climbed to the top in 2018 (see “Last year” above)
Track records: 3.688 seconds by Antron Brown, Oct. 2, 2016; 334.15 mph by
Shawn Langdon, Oct. 8, 2012.
2019 NHRA MELLO YELLO POINTS
TOP FUEL
(Points adjusted for the Countdown)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster2100
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., Mac Tools dragster2080
3. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster2070
4. Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Advance Auto Parts dragster2060
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster2050
6. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster2040
7. Leah Pritchett, Danville, Ind., Mopar Dodge dragster2030
8. Austin Prock, Indianapolis, Ind., Montana Brand dragster2020
9. Richie Crampton, Brownsburg, Ind., DHL/Kalitta Air dragster2010
10. Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster2000
TOP FUEL
(Final regular season points)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster1742
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., Mac Tools dragster1184
3. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster1109
4. Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Advance Auto Parts dragster1108
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster1071
6. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster1058
7. Leah Pritchett, Danville, Ind., Mopar Dodge dragster 957
8. Austin Prock, Indianapolis, Ind., Montana Brand dragster 936
9. Richie Crampton, Brownsburg, Ind., DHL/Kalitta Air dragster 842
10. Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster 819
So far, so good…. (A season summary)
DateSiteQualifying position and race detailPoints
Feb. 10Pomona, CA1. Beat Steve Faria, bye, Mike Salinas; lost to Doug Kalitta. 2nd
Feb. 24Phoenix, AZ14. Lost to Antron Brown4th
March 10Gainesville, FL3. Beat Dom Lagana; lost to Doug Kalitta3rd
April 7Las Vegas, NV2. Lost in 2nd Quad3rd
April 14Houston, TX2. Beat Kebin Kinsley, Austin Prock; lost to Antron Brown3rd
April 28Charlotte, NC6. WINNER over Clay Millican (Terry McMillen, Leah Pritchett)1st
May 5Atlanta, GA2. Beat Luigi Novelli, Scott Palmer, Shawn Reed
1st
and Brittany Force
May 19Richmond, VA4. Beat Todd Paton, Scott Palmer, Billy Torrence
1st
and Antron Brown
June 2Chicago, IL3. Beat Terry McMillen, Richie Crampton, Antron Brown
1st
and Mike Salinas
June 9Topeka, KS1. Beat Terry Totten, bye, Antron Brown and Billy Torrence
1st
June 16Bristol, TN3. Beat Pat Dakin, Clay Millican, Don Lagana; lost to Mike Salinas1st
June 23Norwalk, OH5. Beat Jordan Vandergriff, Doug Kalitta, Brittany Force
1st
and Pat Dakin
July 7Epping, NH9. Beat Austin Prock, Terry McMillen, Richie Crampton
1st
and Scott Palmer
July 21Denver, CO1. Bye, beat Richie Crampton, Brittany Force and Clay Millican
1st
July 28Sonoma, CA2. Beat Steve Chrisman, Richie Crampton; lost to Billy Torrence1st
August 4Seattle, WA3. Beat Steve Chrisman, Antron Brown, Shawn Reed; lost to Austin1st
Prock
August 18Brainerd, MN2. Beat Cameron Ferre; lost to Doug Kalitta1st
Sept. 2Indianapolis, IN3. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Antron Brown1st
For more information, Contact: Dave Densmore - [email protected] / (214) 244-0008
Looking Ahead
Countdown to the Championship
Sept. 29+22nd AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest NationalsSt. Louis, Mo.
Oct. 13+12th NHRA Carolina NationalsCharlotte, N.C.
Oct. 20+34th AAA Texas NHRA Fall NationalsDallas, Texas
Nov. 3+19th Dodge NHRA NationalsLas Vegas, Nev.
Nov. 17+55th Auto Club NHRA FinalsPomona, Calif.
+Indicates events won by Steve Torrence in 2018
-www.torrenceracing.com-
Torrence Takes Win Streak to Playoffs
MELLO YELLO CHAMP DEFENDS TITLE AT MAPLE GROVE
READING, Pa. – Drag racing is a “what have you done for me lately” sport and since Steve Torrence and his all-conquering Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster have gone four races
without celebrating a single NHRA tour victory, the minority viewpoint is that the reigning Mello Yello Champion is in a slump.
If so, it’s the kind of “slump” for which most of his Top Fuel rivals gladly would gnaw off an arm or a leg.
In fact, entering this week’s 35th annual Mopar Express Lane Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the first of the six races comprising the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship, it would be difficult to find anyone who would bet against the Capco Kid, crew chief Richard Hogan and their gang of outlaws and misfits.
After all, they’ve already won eight times this year and despite the aforementioned “slump,” the talented Torrence won his record third straight regular season championship by the biggest margin in NHRA racing history (558.points).
Furthermore, it was only a year ago that he and his team rolled into Reading in a similar situation after failing to reach the winners’ circle in the five previous tour events. He quickly addressed any concerns, though, by winning six consecutive events and 36 consecutive racing rounds, streaks he’ll try to extend on Sunday.
Although he qualified No. 1 just once during last year’s record playoff run, Kilgore College graduate snatched up a remarkable 96.3 percent of the maximum available points (834 of 866). It was a level of domination that would be nearly impossible to duplicate. Fortunately, duplication isn’t required.
All Torrence has to do is simply what he’s done on a regular basis the last three seasons. In the 72 events starting with the 2016 Countdown, he has taken his hybrid hot rod to the finals 34 times and hoisted the trophy on 28 occasions. The most telling statistic, though, may be the fact that he has lost in the first round just six times.
“Lasf year was unbelievable,” Torrence said. “To win six straight races, whether it’s in the Countdown or just the regular season, is incredible. Everything has to go perfect.
“The crew chiefs have to make the right calls, the crew can’t make a mistake putting the parts and pieces together, the driver has to do his job and, even after all that, you still need some luck. So, sweeping the Countdown a second time isn’t that likely, but it’s still our goal.
“It’ll be even tougher (this year) because we’re running two cars at every race,” said the 35-time tour winner. “If my dad (Billy) hadn’t made the Countdown, he would have run the other car just two or three times. Now, he’s running all six races so that’ll spread us a little thinner, but it’s great for him to get the chance.
“He’s done a great job this year and I’m really proud of him and that team,” said the cancer and heart attack survivor. “We’ve always raced as a family, me, my mom (Kay) and my dad, but to do it at this level is really special.”
The elder Torrence, founder and CEO of Capco, a Texas-based oil-and-gas pipeline construction and maintenance company, has won twice already this year in the second Capco dragster and, even though he missed eight of the 18 qualifying races, earned the 10th and final Top Fuel spot in the Countdown.
“We’ve got a great team, a great car and a great track record, but that’s just history,” Torrence said. “You still have to perform in the playoffs and none of these guys is going to go easy on us, especially after last year. We’ve got a target on our back, but that’s fine. We earned it.”
The Champ at Maple Grove Raceway:
Last year at the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals: as the No. 4 qualifier,
Steve beat Bill Litton, Mike Salinas, Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher for his first
victory at Maple Grove Raceway.
Starts/Final Rounds/Wins/No. 1 Qualifier: 7/2/1/0
Steve’s quickest time at Maple Grove Raceway: 3.691 seconds, Oct. 2, 2016
Steve’s fastest speed at Maple Grove Raceway: 330.88 mph, Sept. 14, 2018
Steve’s won-lost record at Maple Grove Raceway: 9-6
Steve’s best moment(s) at Maple Grove Raceway: Runner-up at the 2016 event,
Steve climbed to the top in 2018 (see “Last year” above)
Track records: 3.688 seconds by Antron Brown, Oct. 2, 2016; 334.15 mph by
Shawn Langdon, Oct. 8, 2012.
2019 NHRA MELLO YELLO POINTS
TOP FUEL
(Points adjusted for the Countdown)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster2100
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., Mac Tools dragster2080
3. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster2070
4. Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Advance Auto Parts dragster2060
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster2050
6. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster2040
7. Leah Pritchett, Danville, Ind., Mopar Dodge dragster2030
8. Austin Prock, Indianapolis, Ind., Montana Brand dragster2020
9. Richie Crampton, Brownsburg, Ind., DHL/Kalitta Air dragster2010
10. Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster2000
TOP FUEL
(Final regular season points)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster1742
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., Mac Tools dragster1184
3. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster1109
4. Brittany Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Advance Auto Parts dragster1108
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Scrappers Racing dragster1071
6. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster1058
7. Leah Pritchett, Danville, Ind., Mopar Dodge dragster 957
8. Austin Prock, Indianapolis, Ind., Montana Brand dragster 936
9. Richie Crampton, Brownsburg, Ind., DHL/Kalitta Air dragster 842
10. Billy Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, Capco Contractors dragster 819
So far, so good…. (A season summary)
DateSiteQualifying position and race detailPoints
Feb. 10Pomona, CA1. Beat Steve Faria, bye, Mike Salinas; lost to Doug Kalitta. 2nd
Feb. 24Phoenix, AZ14. Lost to Antron Brown4th
March 10Gainesville, FL3. Beat Dom Lagana; lost to Doug Kalitta3rd
April 7Las Vegas, NV2. Lost in 2nd Quad3rd
April 14Houston, TX2. Beat Kebin Kinsley, Austin Prock; lost to Antron Brown3rd
April 28Charlotte, NC6. WINNER over Clay Millican (Terry McMillen, Leah Pritchett)1st
May 5Atlanta, GA2. Beat Luigi Novelli, Scott Palmer, Shawn Reed
1st
and Brittany Force
May 19Richmond, VA4. Beat Todd Paton, Scott Palmer, Billy Torrence
1st
and Antron Brown
June 2Chicago, IL3. Beat Terry McMillen, Richie Crampton, Antron Brown
1st
and Mike Salinas
June 9Topeka, KS1. Beat Terry Totten, bye, Antron Brown and Billy Torrence
1st
June 16Bristol, TN3. Beat Pat Dakin, Clay Millican, Don Lagana; lost to Mike Salinas1st
June 23Norwalk, OH5. Beat Jordan Vandergriff, Doug Kalitta, Brittany Force
1st
and Pat Dakin
July 7Epping, NH9. Beat Austin Prock, Terry McMillen, Richie Crampton
1st
and Scott Palmer
July 21Denver, CO1. Bye, beat Richie Crampton, Brittany Force and Clay Millican
1st
July 28Sonoma, CA2. Beat Steve Chrisman, Richie Crampton; lost to Billy Torrence1st
August 4Seattle, WA3. Beat Steve Chrisman, Antron Brown, Shawn Reed; lost to Austin1st
Prock
August 18Brainerd, MN2. Beat Cameron Ferre; lost to Doug Kalitta1st
Sept. 2Indianapolis, IN3. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Antron Brown1st
For more information, Contact: Dave Densmore - [email protected] / (214) 244-0008
Looking Ahead
Countdown to the Championship
Sept. 29+22nd AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest NationalsSt. Louis, Mo.
Oct. 13+12th NHRA Carolina NationalsCharlotte, N.C.
Oct. 20+34th AAA Texas NHRA Fall NationalsDallas, Texas
Nov. 3+19th Dodge NHRA NationalsLas Vegas, Nev.
Nov. 17+55th Auto Club NHRA FinalsPomona, Calif.
+Indicates events won by Steve Torrence in 2018
-www.torrenceracing.com-
