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

 

TORRENCE LOOKING FOR ‘MAGIC’ AT ATLANTA
Capco Driver Returns to Site of First Pro Victory

May 14, 2015 -- Steve Torrence knows that the best way to raise public awareness of the good work undertaken by the charitable foundation he has adopted as his own is to put himself and his Capco Contractors Top Fuel dragster prominently in the spotlight regularly focused on contenders for the NHRA Mello Yello championship.

            The 32-year-old Texan will try to do just that this weekend when he returns to Atlanta Dragway, site of his first pro victory, to battle for points, prize money and prestige in the 35th annual Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals.

            “Our goal in affiliating with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation was to help raise the profile of the foundation and, obviously, to encourage our fans and others in the racing community to financially support the programs created by Chris and Taya Kyle,” Torrence said. 

            “While it’s not a program from which the race team gets a single dollar, it’s a feel good opportunity for me and for our team to give back to those who have sacrificed so much – the families of first responders and deployed members of our armed forces,” Torrence said.  “Nothing would give me more satisfaction than putting that ‘Frog’ logo in the winners’ circle at Atlanta.”

            Torrence is particularly encouraged by the fact that he has been there before.  In 2012, after qualifying No. 2, he dispatched J.R. Todd, Bob Vandergriff, Brandon Bernstein and seven-time series champion Tony Schumacher to win his first Top Fuel event after a standout apprenticeship in the Top Alcohol division.

            “It’s been too long since we hoisted one of those gold men,” Torrence said, referring to the ‘Wally’ statuette awarded to series champions and event winners.  “This would be a good week to change all that.”

            His love of the outdoors is one of the things Torrence shared with Kyle, the former Navy SEAL who, after serving five tours in Iraq, was shot and killed at a Texas gun range by a troubled veteran he was trying to counsel at the request of the man’s family.

            “Being aligned with the foundation is just a little extra motivation,” said the 2005 NHRA Top Alcohol World Champion.  “Richard Hogan and the guys have given me a fast hot rod but to win one of these things, everything has to be perfect.  In drag racing, there aren’t any do-overs and the competition is so tough right now.

            “But that’s what drives us.  To win against these guys with a family-based team is always awesome.  You get a real sense of accomplishment,” he said.

            Of course, it’s been awhile since he and his Capco crew have enjoyed the thrill of such a victory.  Although the cancer survivor has taken his Capco hybrid to the final round of the world’s biggest single drag race the last two years (the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Ind.), he’s come up short both times.

            In fact, it’s been almost two calendar years since the graduate of Kilgore College celebrated the last of his four pro tour victories.

            “That just shows how competitive it is out there,” Torrence said.  “Last year, I had my best pro season with the best race car I’ve ever had, by far, and we didn’t win a race.  We were in contention but we just didn’t close the deal.”

            Despite his frustration, Torrence finished sixth in the world last year.  He’ll start the Atlanta race in seventh place with an opportunity to get past the two drivers immediately in front of him – Richie Crampton and Doug Kalitta.

            Qualifying Friday and Saturday will set the 16-car starting lineup for Sunday eliminations.

 

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