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For Immediate Release
Contact: Dave Densmore, denswood@aol.com / 214-244-0008, mobile

 

VEGAS ODDS NOT A CONCERN FOR TORRENCE
Texan Third in Mello Yello Points Entering SummitRacing.com Nationals

            March 27, 2014 -- When you’ve fought Hodgkin’s lymphoma to a draw, as Steve Torrence has, the odds the Texan faces in this week’s 15th annual SummitRacing.com Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway seem like a piece of cake.

            Off to the fastest start of his pro career, Torrence sends the Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster to the starting line for Friday’s first qualifying session in third place in Mello Yello points after three successive trips to the semifinals, the most recent just two weeks ago at Gainesville, Fla.

            Despite his early season performance, which has included personal bests for both time (3.758 seconds) and speed (329.02 miles per hour) at the 1,000 foot distance, the 30-year-old title contender is only the 5-1 favorite at Vegas.  It’s something that doesn’t really faze him.

            “We’re going to ‘live lucky’ this week,” he said, a not-so-subtle reference to the slogan of Utah-based associate sponsor Black Clover apparel.  “(Crew chief) Richard Hogan has this Capco car flying and everybody’s doing a great job.  The only thing we’re missing is the winners’ circle.”

            Although today he is one of the brightest young stars in the NHRA’s Mello Yello Series, the 30-year-old’s career almost ended before it began.

            After early success in the entry level Super Comp division, including regional Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 1999, Torrence was diagnosed in 2000 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer most common in men 17-25. 

            An aggressive treatment program led to what he calls the “biggest victory” of his life.  He responded by winning the 2005 NHRA World Championship in the Top Alcohol Dragster division.

            Now, he’s trying to do something no one else ever has done and that is win championships in both Top Alcohol and Top Fuel.  All he needs, it seems, is more Hogan horsepower and just a little bit of Vegas luck.

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