Race Previews

Torrence Racing Announces Billy Torrence as Pilot of the CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Dragster

Torrence Racing is proud to announce that Billy Torrence will pilot the CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel dragster for the 2026 season, beginning with the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, part of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Torrence, father of four-time world champion Steve Torrence, has earned eight career Top Fuel victories. The resident of Kilgore, Texas, last competed full-time in 2023, qualifying for every event he entered in the Top Fuel category. The team made a single appearance in 2025 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, where Torrence advanced to the semifinals.

“I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to race a full season of Top Fuel again this year,” said Torrence. “The team is eager to get back out and compete, and hopefully bring home some Wallys in 2026. There’s no better way to celebrate NHRA’s 75th season than being part of it.”

The team will be led by four-time world champion Crew Chief Richard Hogan, four-time world champion Assistant Crew Chief Bobby Lagana, and four-time world champion Car Chief Justin Crosslin. Together, the group contributed to four NHRA Top Fuel world championships in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and were part of the only team to sweep every race in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship.

Billy Torrence founded CAPCO Contractors, Inc. in 1995, a full-service pipeline company based in Henderson, Texas. CAPCO is a family-owned and operated business in the oil and gas industry that performs pipeline infrastructure construction worldwide.

In addition to Top Fuel, Torrence holds competition licenses in Super Comp and Top Dragster.His experience across both professional and sportsman categories, combined with his competitive drive, positions the team well for success in the highly competitive Top Fuel ranks.

“It’s amazing to see Billy get back behind the wheel,” said team owner Kay Torrence. “He has already proven himself in this sport, and we’re proud to continue supporting him in his racing career. We’re confident his experience will be an asset both on and off the track.”

The team plans to test the No. 474 CAPCO Contractors Top Fuel Dragster during the PRO test session this week in Gainesville ahead of the 2026 season-opening NHRA Gatornationals, March 5-8.