It only took two races races before Todd and Steve Torrence, his new teammate, squared off against each other. It came in the quarterfinals at Las Vegas and they put on a good show.

Torrence, who registered his quickest elapsed time (4.583 seconds) and speed (326.56 mph) in qualifying 11th, did what he needed against Todd. He left the starting line first with a .085-second reaction to Todd’s .090. But Todd prevailed with a 4.582 at 320.28 to Torrence’s 4.663 at 311.92. It only took two races races before Todd and Steve Torrence, his new teammate, squared off against each other. It came in the quarterfinals at Las Vegas and they put on a good show.

Torrence, who registered his quickest elapsed time (4.583 seconds) and speed (326.56 mph) in qualifying 11th, did what he needed against Todd. He left the starting line first with a .085-second reaction to Todd’s .090. But Todd prevailed with a 4.582 at 320.28 to Torrence’s 4.663 at 311.92.

Torrence, of Kilgore, Texas, picked up the first round win of his two-race career by outrunning Cory McClenathan in the opening round. Torrence had the jump at the line (.078 to .093) and turned on the win light with a 4.609 at 321.12 to the veteran McClenathan’s 4.632 at 320.06.

“The engine had a cylinder out down-track,” recalled Torrence, “and I felt it nosing over. I kept watching for the win light and saying ‘go baby go!’ to the car. It was a relief when I saw the win light. It was bittersweet, though, because I knew I’d be running J.R. in the next round.

“It was a really good weekend for our new team and a good day for us because we got our first round win. It came quicker than I thought it would. Cory is a good racer. I did my job and the crew did its job by giving me a good car to drive. It was a team effort.”