POMONA, Calif. – In control of his own destiny in the season-ending 58th In-N-Out Finals, Steve Torrence will send his CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota to the starting line for Friday’s first qualifying session as the point leader in a Countdown to the Championship in which he has yet to hoist a winner’s trophy.
Team CAPCO at the In-N-Out Finals
STEVE TORRENCE
Total appearances at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip: 27 (14 in the In-N-Out Finals)
Final rounds: 4 (2 in the In-N-Out Finals)
Victories: 3 (2018 and 2021 in the In-N-Out Finals; 2016 in the Winternationals)
No. 1 qualifier: 3 (2019 in the In-N-Out Finals; 2016, 2019 in the Winternationals)
Won-Lost record: 31-23 (14-12 in the In-N-Out Finals)
At this year’s Lucas Oil Winternationals: Lost to Austin Prock in round 2.
Noteworthy: Steve has qualified no worse than No. 2 in his last four starts in the In-N-Out Finals.
Quickest time: 3.647 seconds, Nov. 12, 2022
Fastest speed: 333.33 mph, Nov. 12, 2022
Track records – 3.628 seconds by Clay Millican, Feb. 10, 2018; 338.94 mph by Brittany Force, Nov. 11, 2022
Bidding for his fifth series title in the last six years, Torrence leads Doug Kalitta by 15 points and Leah Pruett by 34 with Mike Salinas and Justin Ashley only 76 and 82 behind, respectively, entering an event that awards one-and-a-half times as many points as any other in the playoffs.STEVE TORRENCE
Total appearances at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip: 27 (14 in the In-N-Out Finals)
Final rounds: 4 (2 in the In-N-Out Finals)
Victories: 3 (2018 and 2021 in the In-N-Out Finals; 2016 in the Winternationals)
No. 1 qualifier: 3 (2019 in the In-N-Out Finals; 2016, 2019 in the Winternationals)
Won-Lost record: 31-23 (14-12 in the In-N-Out Finals)
At this year’s Lucas Oil Winternationals: Lost to Austin Prock in round 2.
Noteworthy: Steve has qualified no worse than No. 2 in his last four starts in the In-N-Out Finals.
Quickest time: 3.647 seconds, Nov. 12, 2022
Fastest speed: 333.33 mph, Nov. 12, 2022
Track records – 3.628 seconds by Clay Millican, Feb. 10, 2018; 338.94 mph by Brittany Force, Nov. 11, 2022
“Thanks to these bad-to-the-bone CAPCO boys, we’ve got the best car,” said the 40-year-old Texas businessman and rancher, “but if we’re gonna win this thing, I’ve got to get back on my game.”
That reference was to the 54-time tour winner’s semifinal loss to Ashley two weeks ago in the NHRA Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas that was determined by driver reaction at the starting line. Torrence’s Red Line Oil-backed hot rod was quicker on the track but Ashley’s narrow starting line advantage gave him the win by an excruciatingly small .011 of a second.
Nevertheless, Torrence remains confident in the knowledge that he and his CAPCO crewmates have won the season finale two of the last four times it has been contested at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip (2018 and 2021). The only other of the five contenders to celebrate a season-ending win during that span was Kalitta (2019).
Adding to his level of confidence is the fact that he is the only driver in any category to have swept all the races in the Countdown (2018), is the only one of the contenders to previously have won a series championship and to the fact that he started the two most recent tour events from either the No. 1 or No. 2 qualifying position.
Throw in the career best numbers he recorded during last month’s Texas Fall Nationals (3.636 seconds and 336.62 miles per hour) and it’s pretty clear why the former Top Alcohol Dragster world champion (2005) is the driver to beat.
“It’s going right down to the wire,” Torrence said, “but it’s all about who executes the best this week. It doesn’t matter what’s happened the rest of the year. It’s about who can get it done in this one race.”
Qualifying sessions at 3 and 6 p.m., Texas time, on both Friday and Saturday will set the fields for Sunday eliminations starting at 1 p.m., Texas time.
Photos by Mark Rebilas
Steve Torrence is thumbs up on his bid to win a fifth Top Fuel World Championship for his CAPCO Contractors Toyota team at this week's season-ending In-N-Out Finals in California.
Steve Torrence, center, and daughter Haven Charli chat with 2022 In-N-Out Finals winner Austin Prock. Torrence tries to win his fifth series championship in the 2023 season finale at Pomona, Calif.
Steve Torrence is hoping to carry a load of momentum into this week's In-N-Out Finals at Pomona, Calif., after driving his CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Toyota to personal bests of 3.636 seconds and 336 miles per hour last month in Texas.
NHRA CAMPING WORLD TOUR
Championship Points
(After five of six events in the 2023 Countdown to the Championship)
TOP FUEL
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2483
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2468
3. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Dodge Direct Connection dragster 2449
4. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2407
5. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2401
6. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2337
7. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2303
8. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2256
9. Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Power Equipment dragster 2248
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2227
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, Bily Torrence; lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Clay Millican, Brittany Force; lost to Justin Ashley
Steve Torrence at the Lucas Oil Winternationals
2010 Pomona1 6. Lost to Antron Brown
2011 Pomona1 10. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2012 Pomona1 9. Lost to Shawn Langdon
2013 Pomona1 8. Beat Spencer Massey; lost to Tony Schumacher
2014 Pomona1 6. Beat Terry McMillen, Clay Millican; lost to Khalid alBalooshi
2015 Pomona1 5. Beat Troy Buff; lost to Spencer Massey
2016 Pomona1 1. Beat Steve Faria, Morgan Lucas, Richie Crampton and Doug Kalitta
2017 Pomona1 8. Beat Troy Buff; lost to Leah Pritchett
2018 Pomona1 2. Beat Steve Faria; lost to Antron Brown
2019 Pomona1 1. Beat Steve Faria, bye, Mike Salinas; lost to Doug Kalitta
2020 Pomona1 Did Not Compete
2021 Pomona1 4. Lost to Antron Brown
2022 Pomona1 6. Beat Doug Foley, Mike Salinas; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
On TV (subject to change)
A single qualifying show airing from 2-4 pm, ET, Sunday on FS1 will be followed immediately for three hours of race coverage.
Championship Points
(After five of six events in the 2023 Countdown to the Championship)
TOP FUEL
1. Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Texas, CAPCO Contractors dragster 2483
2. Doug Kalitta, Saline, Mich., MAC Tools dragster 2468
3. Leah Pruett, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Dodge Direct Connection dragster 2449
4. Mike Salinas, San Jose, Calif., Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster 2407
5. Justin Ashley, Farmingdale, N.Y., Phillips Connect dragster 2401
6. Antron Brown, Pittsboro, Ind., Matco Tools dragster 2337
7. Brittany Force, Aberdeen, N.C., Flav-R-Pac/ Monster Energy dragster 2303
8. Austin Prock, Pittsboro, Ind., Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist dragster 2256
9. Tony Schumacher, Lakeway, Texas, SCAG Power Equipment dragster 2248
10. Clay Millican, Drummonds, Tenn., Parts Plus dragster 2227
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, Bily Torrence; lost to Leah Pruett
2023 Las Vegas2 2. Beat Clay Millican, Brittany Force; lost to Justin Ashley
Steve Torrence at the Lucas Oil Winternationals
2010 Pomona1 6. Lost to Antron Brown
2011 Pomona1 10. Lost to Doug Kalitta
2012 Pomona1 9. Lost to Shawn Langdon
2013 Pomona1 8. Beat Spencer Massey; lost to Tony Schumacher
2014 Pomona1 6. Beat Terry McMillen, Clay Millican; lost to Khalid alBalooshi
2015 Pomona1 5. Beat Troy Buff; lost to Spencer Massey
2016 Pomona1 1. Beat Steve Faria, Morgan Lucas, Richie Crampton and Doug Kalitta
2017 Pomona1 8. Beat Troy Buff; lost to Leah Pritchett
2018 Pomona1 2. Beat Steve Faria; lost to Antron Brown
2019 Pomona1 1. Beat Steve Faria, bye, Mike Salinas; lost to Doug Kalitta
2020 Pomona1 Did Not Compete
2021 Pomona1 4. Lost to Antron Brown
2022 Pomona1 6. Beat Doug Foley, Mike Salinas; lost to Justin Ashley
2023 Pomona1 6. Beat Josh Hart; lost to Austin Prock
On TV (subject to change)
A single qualifying show airing from 2-4 pm, ET, Sunday on FS1 will be followed immediately for three hours of race coverage.
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 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.
