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

 

TORRENCE REACHES SEMIFINALS IN HOUSTON
Capco Contractors Dragster Holds on to No. 3 Points Position

            April 27, 2014 -- There is no doubt that Steve Torrence has one of the most consistent and powerful Top Fuel cars on the planet.

            Unfortunately, while that consistency has kept the 31-year-old Texan strongly in contention for the $500,000 NHRA Mello Yello championship, it also has become a source of some frustration – as it was again Sunday in the 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.

            The good news is that, after stumbling two weeks ago at Charlotte, N.C., in the 4Wide Nationals, Torrence returned to typical form by taking the Capco Contractors dragster back to the semifinals.   The bad news is that he again was unable to go any further.

            The No. 1 qualifier for the fourth time in his pro career, Torrence took out Terry McMillen in round one with a spectacular performance that ultimately proved to be the best of the weekend – 3.776 seconds at 328.86 miles per hour.

            However, the day began to turn for the former Top Alcohol Dragster World Champion (2005) in a second round win over Brittany Force.  Although Torrence got the victory, his troubled 5.363 second time at only 154.46 mph wasn’t nearly quick enough to secure lane choice. 

            Shuffled into the less favored right lane, the Capco dragster lost traction almost immediately and slowed to 9.959 seconds while Khalid alBalooshi drove away to an easy win in 3.846 seconds.

            Despite the disappointment of again failing to win a Top Fuel title in his home state, Torrence held firmly to third place in Mello Yello points and, when the series moves to Atlanta for the 34th annual Summit Racing Southern Nationals, May 16-18, he will trail only race winner Antron Brown and veteran Doug Kalitta.

            “We know we have a fast race car,” Torrence said.  “My guys are doing great and we know that if we keep putting ourselves in a position to win, we’re finally going to win.”

            Torrence also could get some welcome help by the time qualifying begins in Atlanta.  His father, Billy, is expected to make his 2014 debut at that race in a second Capco dragster, significant because it will provide the team with twice as much useable data.

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