TEXAN TOP FUEL DRIVER STEVE TORRENCE EYES RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT HOUSTON’S O’RELLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS




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BAYTOWN, Texas — Steve Torrence knows he has a dragster capable of winning races in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel class. But the young standout is also currently facing one of the harsh realities in a class loaded with talent.

There have been five different Top Fuel winners through five races during the 2015 season, but none have been Torrence. It also means Torrence’s current winless streak currently sits at 43 races, despite a successful 2014 season.

It’s hardly a slight on Torrence, as he currently sits sixth in the points standings in his 10,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster, but a testament to how impressive the class continues to be. Torrence, though, would also like to end his current drought, and the next opportunity comes close to home at the 28th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Royal Purple Raceway, April 24-26.

“It’s hard to win one of these things,” Torrence said. “Last year, I had the best car I’ve ever had – and the best season, but we didn’t win a race. We were good enough to win but we didn’t get it done. That’s how tough it is out there. You need a fast race car and a great crew and a driver who’s on the lights and even after all that, you gotta have a little luck.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2. It marks the sixth of 24 races during the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the annual stop in Houston marks the perfect opportunity for Torrence to jump back into the win column.

A year ago, Torrence advanced to the semifinals at eight different races, adding one final round appearance to the mix en route to a Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship berth and a sixth-place points finish. He has again been solid to start 2015, finishing as the runner-up at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. But Torrence is also after more and that includes turning on four win lights on Sunday.

“We stayed over on Monday (at the most recent event) in Las Vegas and had an awesome test so we’re going in (to Houston) with a lot of confidence,” said Torrence, who has four career Top Fuel victories. “Last year we qualified No. 1 and went to the semifinals so everything’s lined up for a big weekend. All we’ve got to do is outrun Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon and the rest of those guys.

“But we’re looking forward to it. We had a really good car in Vegas. We got qualifying bonus points in three of the four sessions but it just dropped a hole in the second round against Richie Crampton. For him to go on and win the race was kind of tough, but we know we’re going have our days, too.”

Despite Torrence qualifying No. 1 in Houston a year ago, it was Brown who earned his second career Houston victory. As Torrence indicated, he will have to deal with the 2012 Top Fuel world champion, as well as a host of other standouts, including three-time time Top Fuel world champ Larry Dixon, who has three career victories at Royal Purple Raceway, eight-time and defending world champ Schumacher, Spencer Massey, Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, 2013 world champ Langdon, reigning rookie of the year Crampton and four-time runner-up Brittany Force.

Still, Torrence says positive vibes abound for his team heading into Royal Purple Raceway.

“We feel good about where things are going,” Torrence said. “We’ve got our consistency and our confidence back and I’m really excited about going back to Houston.”

That comfort level is boosted by the surplus of family and friends that will be on hand all weekend in Houston. Torrence, who lives a few hours north of the Houston area in Kilgore, has learned how to handle all of the extra duties required when NHRA makes its two stops in Texas each season.

“It’ll be good to be back home in Texas and I know we’ll have a ton of support out there,” Torrence said. “The other thing is Houston will be the first race we run as a partner with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation and I can’t wait to unveil the new paint job. It’s a great cause – helping the families of military and first responders – and it means even more since Chris was a Texan and loved the outdoors, just like I do.”

In Funny Car, Hight claimed his second victory at Houston when he defeated Jack Beckman in the final round last season, while teammate and 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force, who won recently in Las Vegas, has seven wins in Houston, the most for any driver in a pro category. Two-time world champ Tony Pedregon and his brother, two-time world champ Cruz Pedregon, have combined to win seven Houston races, while class stars also include reigning world champion and series points leader Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Courtney Force, Alexis DeJoria, two-time Houston winner Del Worsham, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Tim Wilkerson.

In Pro Stock, Enders-Stevens claimed the 99th win by a female driver when she won at her home track last season, ending the season with the Pro Stock world championship crown. Four-time world champ Greg Anderson has two wins at Houston and is looking to continue his early season momentum. Anderson’s teammate, two-time world champ Jason Line, has also won twice at Houston, and Allen Johnson, Shane Gray, Jonathan Gray, Larry Morgan, local favorite Rodger Brogdon, fellow Texan Chris McGaha and two-time Houston winner Vincent Nobile all figure to be in the title mix at the ultra-quick Baytown track.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will make its second stop of the 2015 season at Royal Purple Raceway. The race will also feature the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

NHRA Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, April 24, with sessions at 4 and 6:30 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, April 25, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 26.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, log on to www.RoyalPurpleRaceway.com or call Royal Purple Raceway, (281) 383-7223. Tickets for children 13 and younger are free on spectator side with any paid adult ticket. For more information about NHRA, log on to www.NHRA.com.

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O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA SPRINGNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 28th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, the sixth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Royal Purple Raceway, Baytown, Texas. From Interstate 10 take the State Hwy. 99 (Grand Parkway) exit, which is exit 799. Take a right on State Hwy. 99 and go to the first exit (2 miles) which is FM 565. Take a right on FM 565 and Royal Purple Raceway will be on your right. For additional information about directions please visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 24-26

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, April 24 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 6 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 25 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2 p.m.; Round 1 of eliminations at 5 p.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 26 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES eliminations continue at 12:45 p.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, April 25, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (ET).

Sunday, April 26, ESPN2 will televise three hours of live eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).

2014 WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Erica Enders-Stevens, Pro Stock.

MOST WINS: John Force, 7, FC; Warren Johnson, 6, PS; Tony Pedregon, 4, FC; Jeg Coughlin, 4, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 3, TF; Larry Dixon, 3, TF; Cruz Pedregon, 3, FC; Mike Edwards, 3, PS; Bob Glidden, 3, PS.

TRACK RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.772 seconds by Larry Dixon, April ’10; 328.86 mph by Steve Torrence, April ’14.

Funny Car – 4.021 seconds by John Force, April ’10; 316.08 mph by Force, April ’10.

Pro Stock – 6.539 seconds by Mike Edwards, April ’10; 212.66 mph by Edwards, April ’13.

NATIONAL RECORDS:

Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.

Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.; 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.

TICKETS: For tickets call Royal Purple Raceway at (281) 383-RACE (7223) or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.

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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the fifth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –

Top Fuel: 1. Antron Brown, 385; 2. Tony Schumacher, 375; 3. Shawn Langdon, 370; 4. Spencer Massey, 358; 5. Richie Crampton, 349; 6. Steve Torrence, 273; 7. Doug Kalitta, 272; 8. Larry Dixon, 263; 9. J.R. Todd, 261; 10. Clay Millican, 241.

Funny Car: 1. Matt Hagan, 369; 2. Del Worsham, 360; 3. Robert Hight, 323; 4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 316; 5. Ron Capps, 313; 6. John Force, 287; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 271; 8. Cruz Pedregon, 257; 9. John Hale, 256; 10. Jack Beckman, 249.

Pro Stock: 1. Jason Line, 426; 2. Erica Enders-Stevens, 391; 3. Greg Anderson, 379; 4. Rodger Brogdon, 352; 5. Chris McGaha, 338; 6. Drew Skillman, 300; 7. Vincent Nobile, 285; 8. Larry Morgan, 268; 9. Allen Johnson, 249; 10. Shane Gray, 233.




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