Torrence wins race, championship in Vegas

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Torrence Train will be making a stop at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona attempting to sweep every Countdown to the Championship race. He is the first driver to win the first five races in the NHRA’s playoff system.

Steve Torrence defeated Leah Pritchett in the final round of the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capco Contractors Top Fuel Dragster pilot 3.751 at 326.32 mph to get the win.

Pennzoil Top Fuel Dragster pilot Leah Pritchett was the runner-up with a 5.317 at 148.85 mph. In an attempt to get an advantage earlier in the race, she double-stepped it off of the starting line and it cost her.

After Torrence’s semi-final win, he clinched the 2018 Top Fuel Championship. He won the championship one year after saying his attitude wasn’t right to be champion.

This is Torrence’s first Championship in his racing career in Top Fuel.

“This is a lifelong goal right here,” Torrence said. “All the glory goes to God, my mom and dad, because without them, none of this would be even be possible. Every one of those Capco boys on that race team, because they put their heart in it and it is hard to beat people with heart. All the boys back home at Capco, we got it done guys. This is unreal. To all those people who said we couldn’t do it, we are here.”

In prior events, according to Drag Race Central, Torrence had a 10-5 record against Pritchett. In one previous final round against each other, Pritchett won.

Pritchett, shortly after double-stepping it, went up in smoke. Torrence, who also launched hard, cruised down the track for the win.

This is his 10th Wally of the season. In addition, it is the 26th Top Fuel win of his career.