NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Winning at his home track has always been special for Steve Torrence, who has picked up two victories at Texas Motorplex over the past three years. But getting a second straight win at the Dallas-area track and third in four years would be extra meaningful for the defending three-time Top Fuel world champ. The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series star is a victory away from his 50th Top Fuel win, and it’s a feat he could accomplish at this weekend’s Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.

Doing it at his home track in his 11,000-hp Capco Contractors dragsters and in front of his family and friends would add to the moment, and it would also put Torrence a step closer to his fourth straight world championship. He won his ninth race of the 2021 season at the most recent event in St. Louis, sending him back into the points lead with four races remaining in the Countdown to the Championship. That means a 50th Top Fuel win is on his mind, but Torrence also remains focused on the task at hand.

“We’re just trying to win the FallNationals,” Torrence said. “These Capco Boys are the best in the business, and if I win one or 50 or 100 races, it’s not because of anything I’ve done. I just drive the best race car out there. That’s it. To me, 49 wins means that’s 49 times I didn’t screw up because a lot of times I do. We just have to go out and do what we’ve been doing. It’s worked pretty well so far.”  

Torrence (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock), and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of the 2020 event. This year’s race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), including final eliminations coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Oct. 10. It is the fourth of seven races in Funny Car and Top Fuel in the Countdown to the Championship, and the Torrence family has dominated at the Motorplex in recent years.

Sandwiched between Torrence’s two wins is a victory by his father, Billy, at the track in 2019, making it a facility that has treated the family very well as of late. Steve will look to continue that this weekend but will be tested by a host of standouts, including Brittany Force, who trails him by 36 points and has been dominant in qualifying, Mike Salinas, Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, and Leah Pruett. Torrence, though, will look to put on a show, starting with qualifying under the lights on Friday and continuing all weekend. 

“We love being able to race in front of family and friends at the Motorplex,” Torrence said, “and we’ve been blessed to have had a lot of success. But this championship battle isn’t over. We’ve got the points lead, but there’s still a lot of racing to do. Our goal is to stay consistent and keep our focus, and that’s always tougher when you’re racing at home. Everybody wants you to know they’re pulling for you. They all want to shake your hand and give you some words of encouragement. It’s a great problem to have, but it makes it harder to maintain focus.”