TORRENCE STUMBLES ON THE MOUNTAIN
Four-Time Reigning Top Fuel Champ Out in First Round of Mile-High Nationals
DENVER, Colo. – The frustration continued Sunday for four-time reigning Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence who qualified his Capco Contractors dragster outside the quick eight for just the fourth time in his last 143 starts on the NHRA Camping World tour and was beaten in the first round of a race he had won the last two times it was contested at Bandimere Speedway.
As a result of his early exit in the 42nd NHRA Mile-High Nationals, the 39-year-old Texan will trail point leader Mike Salinas by 133 points when qualifying begins Friday in Sonoma, Calif., for the Denso Sonoma Nationals.
Torrence is bidding this year for a fifth straight series title. In addition, he’s trying to win the regular season championship for an unprecedented the fifth straight time. No one else in any pro category has won more than three consecutive regular season titles since the NHRA adopted its current Countdown format in 2007.
Neither of the four drivers at the top of the Camping World standings survived to the final round in a Mile-High event known for its upsets.
“Well, that didn’t go as planned,” acknowledged the 51-time tour winner after an uncharacteristic loss of concentration cost him in a first round loss to Austin Prock. “I have all the faith in these Capco Boys and I know that first win of the season is coming. Hopefully, it’s coming at Sonoma (where Torrence won Top Fuel a year ago).”
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