Torrence to the Top in Qualifying

Four-time World Champion Steve Torrence powered his CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota through the 1,000-foot timers in 3.678 seconds Friday and, as a result, will start Sunday’s 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals from the No. 1 starting position.

It will be the Texan’s first No. 1 start of the season and his first in 13 appearances at Firebird Motorsports Park, a track on which he won from the No. 2 position in both 2018 and 2020.  His dad, Billy, driver of the second CAPCO dragster, won the 2019 Arizona Nationals as the No. 1 starter.

For the younger Torrence, winner of 54 events in the NHRA’s Mission Foods Series, it’s the 38th No. 1 of his pro career, extending to 13 the number of consecutive seasons in which he has started from the top of the qualifying order at least one time.

“I enjoy racing here,” Torrence said of a track on which he has posted a 12-3 record in his last five appearances.  “To go out and run well on Friday always is important.  We’ve really worked hard at creating power and running near our career best speed (336.23 miles per hour) shows our progress (but) consistency is still  the key.  If we can remain consistent, we will be lethal out here.”