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

 

TORRENCE SEASON BACK ON UPSWING
Capco Contractors Driver Reaches Quarterfinals at Norwalk

FlamesJuly 6, 2014 -- Steve Torrence made one of the quickest competitive runs of his pro career Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park but couldn’t parlay it into a much-needed victory in the eighth annual Summit Racing Equipment Nationals.

            In fact, after dispatching three-time former World Champion Larry Dixon with a 1,000 foot time of 4.780 seconds, Torrence didn’t even get a chance to pick his lane for a quarterfinal match with eventual race winner and 2012 series champ Antron Brown.

            “They’re playing hard ball out here,” Torrence said after his Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster lost traction against Brown and slowed to 4.527 seconds at only 186.67 miles per hour.”

            “There probably are 10 cars out there right now that have a legitimate shot to win every week and I’m thinking it must be getting close to being our turn again,” said the 31-year-old resident of Kilgore, Texas.   “We’ve had a great car all year but so many things have to go right to win one of these things.

            “It’s been more than a calendar year since we were in the winners’ circle, so we’re getting a little hungry,” admitted the four-time tour winner.  “The big thing is we know that if we keep putting ourselves in a position to win, it’s going to happen.”

            Torrence, who is trying to become the first driver in NHRA history to win world championships in both the alcohol and nitro classes, will have his next chance to get a breakthrough first season victory when the Mello Yello tour lanesmoves to Denver, Colo., in two weeks for the 35th annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals.  He was the No. 1 qualifier at last year’s race.

            Despite his early exit Sunday, the avid outdoorsman wasn’t overly disappointed.  After all, he did beat Dixon for the first time in his career and, after five straight first round losses, also managed to get his car into round two and solidify his hold on sixth place in Mello Yello points.

            “We’re still in a pretty good place (in the points),” he said.  “Nobody’s going to catch Doug (Kalitta) and Antron, but when they adjust the points for the Countdown, sixth won’t be the worst place to be.”

 

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