CAPCO Driver Trails Pruett, Kalitta in Bid for Fifth World Championship
LAS VEGAS, Nevada. – Leah Pruett and Doug Kalitta sit atop the Camping World point standings this week as the Countdown to the Championship moves to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the season’s next-to-last event, but the odds still favor four-time World Champion Steve Torrence and his CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota.
Team CAPCO at The Strip at LVMS
STEVE TORRENCE
Total appearances (2 events): 29
Final rounds: 9
Victories: 5 (fall 2016, 2018, 2021; spring 2018, 2021)
No. 1 qualifier: 2 (spring 2016 and 2017)
Won-Lost record: 42-22 (25-12 in this race)
At this year’s Vegas Four-Wide: Runner-up to Brittany Force.
Noteworthy:
Although the Nevada Nationals is one of the three tour events in which Steve never has started from the No. 1 qualifying position, he has started second six times in 15 appearances and reached the final round of the race every time he has won a World Championship.
Quickest time: 3.688 seconds, Oct. 31, 2021
Fastest speed: 333.33 mph, Oct. 27, 2018.
Track records – 3.652 seconds by Brittany Force, Nov. 3, 2019; 338.17 mph by Brittany Force, Nov. 1, 2019.
Entering Friday’s initial qualifying session for the 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, Torrence trails Pruett by 13 points and Kalitta by nine on a track on which he has reached the final round in seven of his last nine starts.
“The bottom line is all three of us control our own destiny,” Torrence said of the points race. “We’re separated by less than one round so it comes down to whoever does best in these last two races.
“I feel really good about where we are right now,” said the 54-time NHRA tour winner. “These CAPCO boys have worked their butts off to give me the best car possible and I think we’re peaking at absolutely the right time. Coming off what we did at Dallas (in the 38th Texas Fall Nationals), it’s hard not to be confident.”
Two weeks ago, Torrence qualified No. 1, posted quick time of eliminations, recorded career best time and speed numbers (3.636 seconds, 336.62 miles per hour), set a Texas Motorplex track record and reached the finals of the Texas Fall Nationals – where he lost to Pruett by an agonizingly close .005 of a second.
“That was on me,” Torrence said. “We had the car to win but it takes everybody doing everything exactly right in one of these races, especially in the Countdown.”
Although he thus far is winless in the 2023 Countdown and even though he won just once in the regular season (the Flav-R-Pac Northwest Nationals at Seattle, Wash.), the 40-year-old cancer survivor never has been worse than third in driver points, testimony to his team’s remarkable consistency and adaptability.
A finalist in five of his last seven appearances in the Nevada Nationals with wins in 2016, 2018 and 2021, Torrence has a 30-7 record in his last 12 starts at LVMS.
Photos by Mark Rebilas
Left photo: Steve Torrence will drive the CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota in pursuit of his fourth victory in the NHRA Nevada Nationals this week at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Right photo: Four-time Top Fuel World Champion Steve Torrence draws inspiration from his biggest fan, two-year-old daughter Haven Charli.
A victory this week not only would propel the Texas rancher and businessman into the point lead heading into the climactic In-N-Out Burger Finals in California (Nov. 10-12), it also would enable him to extend to eight the number of consecutive years in which he has won a race in October and to seven the number of consecutive Countdowns in which he has won at least one time (there was no Countdown in 2020 due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic).
The only driver to have won NHRA series championships in both the Top Fuel and the Top Alcohol categories (he was the Top Alcohol Dragster champion in 2005), Torrence also is the only driver in any pro category to have won more than four times in a single Countdown.
After losing the 2017 Top Fuel championship on the final day of the season, he and his CAPCO crewmates won the regular season championship and all six Countdown races the following year en route to their first championship.
Nitro qualifying sessions at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Texas time, on both Friday and Saturday will determine the lineup for single elimination finals at LVMS beginning at 1 p.m., Texas time, on Sunday.
Looking Back
Steve Torrence at the NHRA Nevada Nationals
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2006 Las Vegas2 11. Beat Cory McClenathan; lost to J.R. Todd
2009 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Spencer Massey
2010 Las Vegas2 5. Beat Chris Karamesines; lost to David Grubnic
2011 Las Vegas2 8. Lost to David Grubnic
2012 Las Vegas2 8. Beat Morgan Lucas; lost to Tony Schumacher
2013 Las Vegas2 2. Beat T.J. Zizzo; lost to Brandon Bernstein
2014 Las Vegas2 7. Lost to Shawn Langdon
2015 Las Vegas2 4. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2016 Las Vegas2 6. Beat Richie Crampton, Doug Kalitta, Leah Pritchett and J.R. Todd
2017 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Terry Haddock; lost to Shawn Langdon
2018 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Shawn Reed, Billy Torrence, Richie Crampton and Leah Pritchett
2019 Las Vegas2 5. Beat Scott Palmer, Mike Salinas, Doug Kalitta; lost to Brittany Force
2020 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Kebin Kinsley, Troy Buff Justin Ashley; lost to Antron Brown
2021 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Jim Maroney, Tripp Tatum, Justin Ashley and Mike Salinas
2022 Las Vegas2 7. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
On TV (subject to change)
Two rounds of qualifying highlights will air on FS1, the first from 7-8 pm, ET, on Friday, and the second from 3-5 pm, ET, Sunday as the direct lead-in to coverage of final eliminations beginning at 5 pm, ET, also on FS1.
Before the Four-Wide
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2010 Las Vegas1 DNQ
2011 Las Vegas1 16. Lost to Larry Dixon
2012 Las Vegas1 11. Beat Bob Vandergriff Jr., David Grubnic; lost to Spencer Massey
2013 Las Vegas1 8. Lost to Morgan Lucas (foul)
2014 Las Vegas1 3. Beat Terry McMillen, J.R. Todd; lost to Doug Kalitta
2015 Las Vegas1 4. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Richie Crampton
2016 Las Vegas1 1. Lost to Steve Chrisman
2017 Las Vegas1 1. Bye; lost to Antron Brown
Looking Back
Steve Torrence’s 2023 results
Event Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2023 Gainesville 2. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Doug Kalitta; lost to Mike Salinas
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
2023 Las Vegas1 2. Runner-Up to Antron Brown (Brittany Force, Josh Hart)
2023 Charlotte1 4. Lost in final quad to Austin Prock, Leah Pruett, Josh Hart.
2023 Chicago 8. Lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Epping 8. Beat Austin Prock, Antron Brown; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Bristol 3. Beat Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Norwalk 2. Beat Doug Foley; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 Seattle 4. Beat Josh Hart, Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta
2023 Sonoma 2. Beat Ron August, advanced on bye run; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Topeka 1. Beat Terry Totten; lost to Brittany Force
2023 Brainerd 3. Beat Kyle Wurtzel; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Indianapolis 1. Beat Will Smith, Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Reading 4. Bear Mike Salinas, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Charlotte2 12. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 St. Louis 5. Beat Josh Hart, Justin Ashley; lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Dallas 1. Beat Buddy Hull, Antron Brown, Billy Torrence; lost to Leah Pruett
NHRA CAMPING WORLD TOUR Championship Points (After four of six Countdown races)
TOP FUEL
1. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Mobil 1 dragster 2414
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2410
3. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2401
4. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2306
5. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2304
6. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2283
7. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2270
8. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2249
9. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2195
Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Power Equipment dragster 2195
11. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 2166
12. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster 2129
PEP BOYS ALL-STAR CALLOUT
TOP FUEL Points (to determine eligibility for March, 2024 All-Star Callout at Gainesville, Fla.)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2830
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2800
3. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2785
4. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2710
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2700
6. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Mobil 1 dragster 2665
7. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2525
8. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2385
9. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 2335
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2275
Looking Ahead
2023 NHRA Camping World Tour Steve-O’s Highlights
11-12 In-N-Out World Finals Pomona, CA 2018, 2021 winner
2024 NHRA Camping World Tour
3-10 NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, FL 2020 winner; 2023 runner-up
and Pep Boys All-Star Call Out 2022 winner
3-24 Lucas Oil Winternationals Pomona, CA 2016 winner; 2019 runner-up
4-7 NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix, AZ 2018, 2020 winner
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2006 Las Vegas2 11. Beat Cory McClenathan; lost to J.R. Todd
2009 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Spencer Massey
2010 Las Vegas2 5. Beat Chris Karamesines; lost to David Grubnic
2011 Las Vegas2 8. Lost to David Grubnic
2012 Las Vegas2 8. Beat Morgan Lucas; lost to Tony Schumacher
2013 Las Vegas2 2. Beat T.J. Zizzo; lost to Brandon Bernstein
2014 Las Vegas2 7. Lost to Shawn Langdon
2015 Las Vegas2 4. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2016 Las Vegas2 6. Beat Richie Crampton, Doug Kalitta, Leah Pritchett and J.R. Todd
2017 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Terry Haddock; lost to Shawn Langdon
2018 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Shawn Reed, Billy Torrence, Richie Crampton and Leah Pritchett
2019 Las Vegas2 5. Beat Scott Palmer, Mike Salinas, Doug Kalitta; lost to Brittany Force
2020 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Kebin Kinsley, Troy Buff Justin Ashley; lost to Antron Brown
2021 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Jim Maroney, Tripp Tatum, Justin Ashley and Mike Salinas
2022 Las Vegas2 7. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
On TV (subject to change)
Two rounds of qualifying highlights will air on FS1, the first from 7-8 pm, ET, on Friday, and the second from 3-5 pm, ET, Sunday as the direct lead-in to coverage of final eliminations beginning at 5 pm, ET, also on FS1.
Before the Four-Wide
Year Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2010 Las Vegas1 DNQ
2011 Las Vegas1 16. Lost to Larry Dixon
2012 Las Vegas1 11. Beat Bob Vandergriff Jr., David Grubnic; lost to Spencer Massey
2013 Las Vegas1 8. Lost to Morgan Lucas (foul)
2014 Las Vegas1 3. Beat Terry McMillen, J.R. Todd; lost to Doug Kalitta
2015 Las Vegas1 4. Beat Terry McMillen; lost to Richie Crampton
2016 Las Vegas1 1. Lost to Steve Chrisman
2017 Las Vegas1 1. Bye; lost to Antron Brown
Looking Back
Steve Torrence’s 2023 results
Event Qualifying Position/Racing Result
2023 Gainesville 2. Beat Scott Palmer, Tony Schumacher, Doug Kalitta; lost to Mike Salinas
2023 Phoenix 6. Beat Krista Baldwin, Austin Prock; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
2023 Las Vegas1 2. Runner-Up to Antron Brown (Brittany Force, Josh Hart)
2023 Charlotte1 4. Lost in final quad to Austin Prock, Leah Pruett, Josh Hart.
2023 Chicago 8. Lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Epping 8. Beat Austin Prock, Antron Brown; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Bristol 3. Beat Shawn Langdon; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Norwalk 2. Beat Doug Foley; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Denver 6. Beat Justin Ashley, Antron Brown; lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 Seattle 4. Beat Josh Hart, Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta
2023 Sonoma 2. Beat Ron August, advanced on bye run; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Topeka 1. Beat Terry Totten; lost to Brittany Force
2023 Brainerd 3. Beat Kyle Wurtzel; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Indianapolis 1. Beat Will Smith, Shawn Langdon, Doug Kalitta; lost to Antron Brown
2023 Reading 4. Bear Mike Salinas, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher; lost to Doug Kalitta.
2023 Charlotte2 12. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2023 St. Louis 5. Beat Josh Hart, Justin Ashley; lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Dallas 1. Beat Buddy Hull, Antron Brown, Billy Torrence; lost to Leah Pruett
NHRA CAMPING WORLD TOUR Championship Points (After four of six Countdown races)
TOP FUEL
1. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Mobil 1 dragster 2414
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2410
3. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2401
4. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2306
5. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2304
6. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2283
7. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2270
8. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2249
9. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2195
Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Power Equipment dragster 2195
11. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 2166
12. Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., R+L Carriers dragster 2129
PEP BOYS ALL-STAR CALLOUT
TOP FUEL Points (to determine eligibility for March, 2024 All-Star Callout at Gainesville, Fla.)
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2830
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2800
3. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2785
4. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2710
5. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2700
6. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Mobil 1 dragster 2665
7. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2525
8. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2385
9. Shawn Langdon, Danville, Ind., Kalitta Air Careers dragster 2335
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2275
Looking Ahead
2023 NHRA Camping World Tour Steve-O’s Highlights
11-12 In-N-Out World Finals Pomona, CA 2018, 2021 winner
2024 NHRA Camping World Tour
3-10 NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, FL 2020 winner; 2023 runner-up
and Pep Boys All-Star Call Out 2022 winner
3-24 Lucas Oil Winternationals Pomona, CA 2016 winner; 2019 runner-up
4-7 NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix, AZ 2018, 2020 winner
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), creator of the Prius hybrid and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota and Lexus brands, and directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America (more than 49,000 of them in the U.S.). Over the past 65 years, Toyota has assembled nearly 45 million cars and trucks in North America at the company’s 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, the company’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
Through our more than 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.), Toyota sold more than 2.4 million cars and trucks (more than 2.1 million in the U.S.) in 2022, of which, nearly one quarter were electrified vehicles (full battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell).
About CAPCO Contractors Inc.
Capco Contractors, Inc. is a family owned-and-operated construction company specializing in the oil and gas industries. A proud American company based in Texas with clients around the world, Capco was founded in 1995 by Billy Torrence and initially operated from a small office and one job-site trailer with a staff of only 12 employees. From those humble beginnings, Capco Contactors, Inc. has developed into a full-service pipeline company, capable of all aspects of pipeline work including site work, creation of compressor stations, mainline pipeline construction and pipeline integrity projects. It employs more than 200 people with main offices in Henderson, Texas.
