They came with their hopes and dreams.

They came with their new dragsters and their tribute paint schemes.

They came with their new partnerships.

They came with their memories of this hallowed dragstrip.

And all the Top Fuel competitors left the Dodge SRT U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Sunday knowing once again – for the eighth time in the season’s 13 completed races – that the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel spotlight still shone on Steve Torrence and his Capco Contractors Dragster team.

After defeating a lineup that started with fellow three-time series champion Antron Brown, included victory-hungry Greg Carrillo and his own father Billy Torrence, he easily dismissed relentless rival Brittany Force in the final round for his 48th overall victory and second at Lucas Oil Raceway.

“Every one of these wins is important, but this is Indy. This is the U.S. Nationals. It's the biggest race. It’s the pinnacle of racing in our sport,” Torrence said. “Everybody dreams of coming and winning Indy, and to have the opportunity to do it, to have these Capco Boys behind me, to give me the car that they have given me all day . . . It’s unbelievable to say you’ve won Indy – ever.”

Torrence actually has won here three times, counting his sportsman-era triumph in the Top Alcohol Dragster category.

But as the start of the Countdown to the Championship awaits – just five days from Sunday at Reading, Pa. – Torrence had a unique perspective on what to watch.

Meaning no disrespect either to himself or to Force – the two top-ranked drivers in the class – Torrence said this battle will be one between crew chiefs.

“We’re just drivers. This is a battle of Hogan [Capco tuner Richard] and Grubnic [Force’s crew chief Dave],” Torrence said. “Respect for Grubnic, respect for Brittany, because they're bad, bad dudes over there - bad, bad women, too. I’ve got a lot of respect for Grubnic, but I’ve got more confidence in Hogan.”

Although the Top Fuel Countdown class has plenty of capable competitors, a pattern is developing of Force dogging Torrence – and in qualifying, Torrence pursuing Force. Their side-by-side spectacle in Friday night’s qualifying run arguably was one of the more captivating moments of the event. They ran 3.6s and she dazzled with a 334.57-mph speed. Ultimately, she took her sixth straight No. 1 starting position and he posted his seventh overall No. 2 berth as they headed into eliminations at the tour’s oldest and most prestigious event.

Their final-round pairing Sunday was not as shiny. Torrence clocked a performance of 3.749 seconds at 324.44 mph, while Force lost traction immediately and damaged her engine and supercharger in the process of absorbing her fourth loss to him in final rounds. He’s 15-8 overall against her.

Nevertheless, Torrence has insisted that he and Force do not have “a rivalry.” But certainly their meetings are what Top Fuel fans are concentrating on down the homestretch. That played out in dramatic fashion this weekend, as their qualifying and eliminations efforts marked only the eighth time in the 67-year history of the U.S. Nationals that the Nos. 1 and 2 starters have met. And history was on Torrence’s side: No. 1 has won six of those eight times.

He knows not to discount her, especially after she has champion status, too, and – albeit fairly – earned hers at his expense in 2017.

His confidence in his Capco team, himself, and their established methods doesn’t have him too concerned. And that compliment about their qualifying display Friday was just a nice, little token.

“I don’t want to have a difference of how I drive on Friday as to how I drive on Sunday,” Torrence said. “If you practice the way you’re going to play or whatever it is, you’re always ready.”

Torrence is ready – and grateful.

“This was the 13th race, and we’ve been so blessed to win eight of ’em,” Torrence said. “But even if we didn’t win this race, we still would have had momentum.”

And he expressed gratitude to public servants: “Thank you to all the servicemen and women, first responders, the people that are out there protecting this country and keeping us able to do what we do. We appreciate you more than you know. Some people don't, but we damn sure do. Thank you.”

Drag-racing fans can thank Torrence for putting on a show the modern era hadn’t seen before he got his Capco operation established. Now it’s a question of whether the beat, and the beating, will go on.