{"id":1188,"date":"2016-03-16T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2016-03-16T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=1188"},"modified":"2016-03-15T23:45:49","modified_gmt":"2016-03-16T04:45:49","slug":"texas-top-fueler-steve-torrence-ready-to-tackle-nhra-gatornationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/03\/16\/texas-top-fueler-steve-torrence-ready-to-tackle-nhra-gatornationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas’ Top Fueler Steve Torrence ready to tackle NHRA Gatornationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 While 22 races remain in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Top Fuel standout Steve Torrence wasn\u2019t about to discount what a win at the season-opener in Pomona meant.<\/p>\n

\"Steve

Steve Torrence opened the 2016 season winning the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Torrence started the year in impressive fashion with a Winternationals victory in his 10,000-horsepower Capco Contractors\/Torrence Racing dragster, an accomplishment he feels still has carryover heading into this weekend\u2019s 47th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s huge,\u201d said Torrence, who has six career wins. \u201cFirst of all, it\u2019s Pomona and when you win there it\u2019s a little different than at some other tracks because of the history. Plus, we hadn\u2019t had a lot of success there in Top Fuel.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think we\u2019d even been to the final. So it\u2019s a big confidence booster for all the guys on the Capco team and for me, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, of course, you can\u2019t underestimate how big it is to be the first one into the Traxxas Shootout. I know because we\u2019ve had seasons where you come down to those last couple of qualifying races and you\u2019re not in and it just adds to the pressure. So, we\u2019re in, we\u2019re gonna race for the hundred grand again and that\u2019s pretty exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year\u2019s winners of the tradition-rich Florida race that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including live finals coverage at 1 p.m. (ET). It is the third of 24 races during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and Torrence is excited to see what is next after a successful start in Pomona.<\/p>\n

\"Steve

Steve Torrence enters this weekend’s Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals ranked second in the Top Fuel point standiings. He trails points leader Doug Kalitta by eight points. NHRA photo<\/p><\/div>\n

He suffered a first-round loss in Phoenix, but again showed great numbers in qualifying, starting fourth with a 3.766 on the heels of a No. 1 qualifying spot in Pomona with a blistering 3.703 at 328.06 mph.<\/p>\n

Torrence has prided himself on consistency throughout his impressive career, but his team continues to push the envelope when it comes to performance. By bringing famed nitro tuner Alan Johnson on board to work with an already talented team that includes Richard Hogan and Bobby Lagana, Torrence is confident he can run with anybody in the loaded Top Fuel class, even as the numbers continue to get more incredible seemingly by the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Torrence asked. \u201cThe goal is to run as good as the Schumachers and the Antron Browns and the Kalittas and the Cramptons. If they\u2019re running 3.75s, then that\u2019s the goal. If they start running 3.72s, you gotta step up. That\u2019s been our thought process. Last year, we knew that to be competitive, we had to go from being a mid-70s car to one that could run low 3.70s.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, to really run at the top, you have to be able to run 3.60s and I think this car can do that. We ran 3.703 at Pomona and, to me, the exciting thing is that the car has gone down the racetrack under full power every run except for one in testing (at Phoenix) where we just got too aggressive. We went down the track 13 times in the first two races and we averaged 3.77.\u201d<\/p>\n

That mix of consistency and performance is a credit to Torrence\u2019s hard-working team, which continues to mesh at a high level after Johnson came on board. Torrence is currently second in points behind Doug Kalitta and knows the potential his team has.<\/p>\n

After finishing eighth a year ago in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Torrence has bigger goals in 2016, including picking up his first victory in the six-race NHRA playoffs. Starting the season with a win doesn\u2019t guarantee anything, but Torrence likes where things are headed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing into Gainesville, we still know we\u2019ve got a bad hot rod and that\u2019s a credit to a couple of things,\u201d Torrence said. \u201cFirst, we\u2019ve got a new chassis from Morgan Lucas Racing and those guys worked their butts off just to get it to us in time for testing. Then, I\u2019ve got what I think is the best crew in the business. It\u2019s taken a couple of years to put it all together but I think we did it the right way and now we have the right people in the right places.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, bringing A.J. (Alan Johnson) on board to work with Hogan has just added to the whole thing. We\u2019ve always run Alan\u2019s parts so there wasn\u2019t a big change mechanically, but he pushes Richard and Bobby to go just a little further (with the tune-up) and with the success he\u2019s had, they do listen. It\u2019s a combination of several things.\u201d<\/p>\n

That puts Torrence right in the mix when it comes to winning at the famed facility in Gainesville, but the loaded field starts with defending world champion Brown. Others to watch at Gainesville include 2014 event winner and current points leader Kalitta, rising star Leah Pritchett, who won her first career race in Phoenix, eight-time world champion Schumacher, Shawn Langdon, J.R. Todd, Brittany Force, Richie Crampton, Dave Connolly and Clay Millican.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to approach it any different than we have any other race,\u201d Torrence said. \u201cWe\u2019re just going to go out and race the track and take whatever it gives us and try to stay consistent.\u00a0 Gainesville is one of the biggest events and if you win it, you definitely earn the right to walk a little taller. But you can\u2019t get all caught up in the hype and the history. You still have to run your race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Capps, who won in Pomona, came out victorious in Funny Car at the Gatornationals in 2015 and will hope to do so again this year. He\u2019ll face off against the likes of Tim Wilkerson, who won the most recent event in Phoenix, defending world champion Del Worsham, Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force, seven-time event winner John Force, Robert Hight, Jack Beckman, Cruz Pedregon and Tommy Johnson Jr.<\/p>\n

For the new-look Pro Stock class, Anderson will ride into Gainesville looking to defend his 2015 Gatornationals title. Anderson defeated teammate Jason Line in the final round of the event last year and both already have victories in 2016. The Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro tandem has combined for seven victories at Gainesville Raceway, but get tough competition from reigning world champion Erica Enders, two-time Gators winners Allen Johnson and Jeg Coughlin Jr., and category young guns, Drew Skillman, Chris McGaha, Vincent Nobile and Bo Butner.<\/p>\n

The sleek new Pro Stock cars feature fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods and a 10,500 RPM rev-limiter.<\/p>\n

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class will make its 2016 season debut at the AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The two-wheeled class races at 16 events throughout the season and reigning world champ Andrew Hines is after his third consecutive world championship. Trying to prevent him from getting there will be teammate and three-time event winner Eddie Krawiec, 2015 event winner Stoffer, Louisiana alligator farmer Jerry Savoie and two-time world champion Matt Smith, among others.<\/p>\n

The event also will serve as the season-opening race for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series and feature plenty of thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:45 and 4:15 p.m. on Friday, March 18 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, March 19, at 12 and 3:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 20.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit\u00a0www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a>. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit\u00a0www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS FACT SHEET<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT:<\/strong>\u00a047th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories \u2013 Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle \u2013 earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. Competition also will be featured in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Series.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. The track is located on 11211 North County Road 225 in Gainesville.<\/p>\n

WHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0Thursday through Sunday, March 17-20<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

THURSDAY, March 17 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

FRIDAY, March 18 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations<\/p>\n

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at noon and 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 and 4:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, March 19 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations<\/p>\n

NHRA J&A SERVICE PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 2 p.m. Round 1 of eliminations at 5:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at noon and 3:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, March 20 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, March 18, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 9 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Saturday, March 19, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 6:30 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday, March 20, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 1 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2015 EVENT WINNERS:<\/strong>\u00a0Spencer Massey, Top Fuel; Ron Capps, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock; Karen Stoffer, Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong>\u00a0Warren Johnson, 9, PS; John Force, 7, FC; Don Prudhomme, 5, FC; Joe Amato, 4, TF; Kenny Bernstein, 4, FC\/TF; Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Don Garlits, 4, TF; Jason Line, 4, PS; Ed McCulloch, 4, FC; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Dave Schultz, 4, PSM; Terry Vance, 4, PSM.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.743 seconds by Morgan Lucas, March \u201912; 329.02 mph by Spencer Massey, March \u201915.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 4.022 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, March \u201915; 317.12 mph by Robert Hight, March \u201912.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.473 seconds by Mike Edwards, March \u201912; 214.69 mph by Erica Enders, March \u201914.<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.750 seconds by Eddie Krawiec, March \u201912; 199.26 mph by Krawiec, March \u201911.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL RECORDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.680 sec. by Antron Brown, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. \u201915, Brainerd, Minn.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.884 sec. by Jack Beckman, Nov. ’15, Pomona, Calif. and 331.45 mph by Matt Hagan, Nov. \u201915, Pomona, Calif.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

TICKETS:<\/strong>\u00a0For tickets call (800) 884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also available online at\u00a0www.NHRA.com\/tickets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the second of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

Top Fuel:<\/strong>\u00a0 1.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta, 171; 2.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 163; 3.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 133; 4.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 131; 5. Leah Pritchett, 129; 6.\u00a0 Antron Brown, 110; 7.\u00a0 Richie Crampton, 109; 8.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 105; 9.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 98; 10.\u00a0 Terry McMillen, 97.<\/p>\n

Funny Car:<\/strong>\u00a0 1.\u00a0 Ron Capps, 183; 2.\u00a0 John Force, 168; 3.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 158; 4.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 154; 5.\u00a0 Tim Wilkerson, 147; 6.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 141; 7.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 121; 8.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria, 87; 9.\u00a0 Chad Head, 86; 10.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr., 85.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock:<\/strong>\u00a0 1.\u00a0 Jason Line, 227; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 209; 3.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 171; 4.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 131; 5.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 129; 6.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 106; 7.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 87; 8.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 86; 9.\u00a0 Deric Kramer, 83; 10.\u00a0 Alex Laughlin, 66.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of the NHRA GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 While 22 races remain in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Top Fuel standout Steve Torrence wasn\u2019t about to discount what a win at the season-opener in Pomona meant. Torrence started the year in impressive fashion with a Winternationals victory in his 10,000-horsepower Capco Contractors\/Torrence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[107,6,50],"class_list":["post-1188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-amalie-motor-oil-gatornationals","tag-nhra","tag-steve-torrence"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/005-SteveTorrence-Pomona.jpg?fit=2200%2C1464&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-ja","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1188"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1193,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188\/revisions\/1193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}