Drag Illustrated Issue 152, January 2020 | Page 66

The Champions of 2019
[ NHRA TOP FUEL ]
T
his one was vastly different
than the first and not nearly as
dominant. But in some ways, Steve
Torrence’s second straight world
championship in Top Fuel showed just how far
the Texan had come in two years.
Sure, there was a top-end confrontation and
shove to Cameron Ferré that Torrence could have
easily avoided. Emotions were high and it nearly
cost Torrence. The big difference, though, is Tor-
rence quickly recognized the error of his ways,
apologized and got back down to business.
He knocked off Brittany Force, claimed his
second straight title and continued one of the
most dominant stretches in Top Fuel history.
“It’s been really special to be part of a team that
goes out and has the success we’ve had,” Torrence
says. “It’s really special to win one championship,
much less two and to do it back-to-back. The
guys prevailed and gave me the race car, and
I did the job I needed to do when I needed to
do it. Our group of guys has been together for
years and that continuity is what has been a key
recipe to our success.”
Two years ago, Torrence wasn’t able to come
through in a pressure situation, losing the ti-
tle to Force on the final day of the season. He
voiced his displeasure with the Countdown to
the Championship format, but mostly responded
with incredible performances in 2018. He won
11 races a year ago, swept the playoffs – the first
person in NHRA history to do that – and claimed
the title in dominant fashion.
Torrence remained dominant in 2019 – win-
ning nine races to give him 28 over the past three
seasons – but the Countdown wasn’t nearly the
same as last year’s virtuoso performance.
He lost in the playoff opener, lost in the first
round again at Dallas and had to hold off a red-
hot Force at the end. But that was the joy in this
title. Torrence faced adversity and came out on
top – albeit $25,000 lighter in the wallet after
getting fined for his skirmish with Ferré.
Still, Torrence showed championship mettle,
adding another impressive layer to a run that
shows no signs of slowing down.
“I mean, I’m having a wonderful time,” Torrence
says. “My dad (Billy) has come out and raced
more with us and been very successful. So that’s
been fun. We do this as a family.” – JOSH HACHAT
DI DI DI
DI DI DI DI
DI DI DI
Jim Howe Jr.
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Charles Hull
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Issue 152
Steve Torrence