Torrence Seeks to Reclaim Drag Racing Dominance at Maple Grove

Steve Torrence, the former four-time Top Fuel World Champion, is determined to regain his winning form as he prepares for the 39th Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. Once a dominant force in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Torrence has acknowledged that his priorities have shifted since his last victory at this event in 2018, but he's now focused on reclaiming his edge and returning to the top of the sport.

Veteran Racer Aims to Recapture Past Glory

Shifting Priorities and a Renewed Competitive Spirit

As a married father of two young daughters, Torrence admits that his perspective has changed since his championship-winning days. "I guess I'm not racing with a chip on my shoulder like I was back then," he said, "but I'm getting some of that edge back and I feel good about where we are." With his crew chiefs, Richard Hogan and Bobby Lagana Jr., becoming more comfortable with the setup of his CAPCO Contractors dragster, Torrence is confident that he can regain his position as one of the top drivers in the NHRA Countdown.

Chasing the Elusive Top Fuel Crown

Torrence's impressive performance at the recent NHRA U.S. Nationals, where he finished second to Clay Millican, has given him momentum heading into the latest Countdown. Currently sitting in fourth place, 41 points behind regular season champion Doug Kalitta, Torrence is determined to close the gap and reclaim the Top Fuel title that he has won four times in the past.

A Family Affair at Maple Grove

Torrence's father, Billy, the founder and president of CAPCO and the driver of the team's second Top Fuel Toyota, will also be competing at the Pep Boys Nationals. The elder Torrence, a member of drag racing's prestigious 500 Club, is coming off a victory at the 2021 edition of this event and will be looking to defend his title.

Consistency and Teamwork: The Keys to Success

Despite his impressive resume, Torrence has struggled with consistency this season, a problem that has plagued him in recent years as well. "Our problem has been getting the car and the driver on the same page at the same race," he acknowledged. "To win out here, as competitive as it is, you gotta have both. You gotta have a car, but the driver has to do his job, too."With the Pep Boys Nationals qualifying sessions set to begin on Friday, Torrence and his team will be working tirelessly to ensure that both the car and the driver are in sync, as they seek to reclaim the dominance that once made Torrence one of the most feared competitors in the sport.