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For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Sherk, jlsherk@aol.com/360-981-4806, mobile

Ailing Torrence comes back to qualify 13th at Arizona Nationals

Forced into making only two qualifying runs Saturday after a virus and dehydration sent team owner/driver Steve Torrence to the sidelines Friday, the Torrence Racing/Capco Contractors Inc. Top Fuel team responded with a solid elapsed time that put him into the 13th starting slot for the team’s second race.

“I felt terrible (on Friday),” said Torrence.  “The medics had me on intravenous medication to eliminate the dehydration and everything seemed to work out.  I felt better (Saturday) and now I am looking forward to racing on Sunday.”

With temperatures predicted to reach the 100-degree mark later in the day, crew chief Richard Hogan came up with a tune-up that Torrence drove to a first-lap time of 4.062-seconds at 289.19 mph to guarantee a starting berth.

“We did what we needed to do,” Torrence continued.  “All-in-all, it wasn’t a bad day.  I am pleased with the way Richard and the guys took care of things.  We tried to step up the performance on our last run, but the engine dropped a cylinder and it kicked off the blower belt.

“I’m still not feeling well, but I plan to get some rest (Saturday night).  It looks like it will be a duel of two fellow Texans Sunday because I race Troy Buff (No. 4, 3.985 at 302.75 mph) in the first round.”

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