Finishing second in NHRA’s Top Fuel world standings in 2023 might satisfy some teams – but not the Capco boys at Torrence Racing.
 
Especially driver Steve Torrence.
 
That’s what happens when you win four world titles, as Torrence did from 2018 to 21.
 
“We had a decent year last year,” Torrence said. “We didn’t feel like we were that dominant and we have set the bar pretty high for ourselves. We are definitely motivated coming off the season last year. I feel like all my guys did their jobs, but their driver didn’t do his job, or we would have been five-time champs. We need to come back out and re-solidify our position at the top.”
 
Torrence finished 48 points behind first-time world champion Doug Kalitta last year. Torrence had one win in Seattle and five runner-up finishes.
 
The 2024 NHRA season begins March 7-10 at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
 
Prior to Gainesville, Torrence and his father Billy took part in the inaugural Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) Superstar Shootout Feb. 8-10 at Bradenton (Fla.) Motorsports Park.
 
However, Steve and Billy failed to make the eight-car field to run for the $250,000 winner’s check, which Kalitta won.
 
Steve qualified No. 9 at 3.729 at 331.04 mph, and Billy came in 12th at 3.740 seconds at 333.99 mph.
 
Although he and his father just missed out, Steve wasn’t fretting too much about the lost opportunity.
 
“We struggled a little bit there with some changes and ended up learning and thinking that we got it figured out, but just a little bit too late,” Steve said.

 
For the first time, Billy will go full-time on NHRA’s Top Fuel trail in 2024, which Steve is happy about.
 
“I’m really looking forward to being able to go race with him on a full schedule and enjoy it,” Steve said. “I’ve raced with my dad my whole life but never at this level full-time, so I’m looking forward to that.”
 
Steve has won at every national event track on the NHRA schedule, including Gainesville Raceway in 2020. Steve has won 54 NHRA Top Fuel national events and has an incredible 488-253 elimination-round record.
 
“It (Gainesville) is a cool place to go and a big event for my crew chief Richard Hogan. That’s where he is from; his family and everything is there,” Steve said. “As far as him, that’s a hometown race for him. You always try and do well everywhere you go, but some places mean a little bit more to each and every one of us, and that one is a big one for him.”
 
In the past, the Gators has been a race that has produced some of the fastest elapsed times in Top Fuel history – and Torrence thinks that could happen again.
 
Last season, Steve qualified second in Gainesville and advanced to the final round before losing to Mike Salinas.
 
“It always stands a chance to be really quick and fast there,” Torrence said. “It is just the luck of the draw as far as what weather you get when you are there, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”