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For Immediate Release
Contact: Dave Densmore, denswood@aol.com / 214-244-0008, mobile

 

TORRENCE NO. 3 QUALIFIER FOR SUNDAY'S CARQUEST NATIONALS

February 22, 2014 -- Kilgore’s Steve Torrence reversed his fortunes at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park where, after failing to qualify a year ago, he recorded the quickest time of his pro career to claim the No. 3 qualifying position for Sunday’s 30th annual NHRA CARQUEST Nationals.

            The 30-year-old Texan covered the standard 1,000 foot distance, from a standing start, in 3.758 seconds at 321.96 miles per hour on the second of his four qualifying attempts in the Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster.

That was .001 of a second quicker than his previous best and it sends him against fellow Texan Troy Buff in Sunday’s first round.  As the quicker qualifier, Torrence will have the choice of lanes.

            The only drivers quicker in the qualifying phase were track record holder Doug Kalitta (3.735 seconds) and six-time NHRA Mello Yello Series champion Tony Schumacher (3.757 seconds).   Barring upsets, Torrence and Schumacher could meet in the semifinals in the second event of the season.

            On the strength of his qualifying performance, Torrence moved around Spencer Massey and into third place in Mello Yello driver points.

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