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ENNIS, Texas --
Torrence fell in the Top Fuel finals to rookie Richie Crampton at Indy, but he takes plenty of positives into the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. The final round appearance represents a solid turnaround after a mid-season dry spell and Torrence now has his sights on his first win of 2014 and a possible championship run in his 10,000-horsepower Capco Contractors dragster. That first victory could come at the 29th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, which takes place at the Texas Motorplex, Sept. 18-21. If it does, it would also put Torrence, who is currently fifth in the points standings, in the championship hunt. "The car has definitely picked up," Torrence said. "The performance was better and it was more consistent, and I'm very happy with that. The consistency was definitely there and was so the performance, and that's a big confidence-booster this time of year. Going into the Countdown that gives our team the type of momentum we need. I feel like we put our best foot forward going into the Countdown." Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year's winners of the event that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2. It also is the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the second of a stretch that includes four straight race weekends to kick off the NHRA playoffs.
Those bonus points become critical during the Countdown, but Torrence also seems to have erased the mid-season doldrums that led to five straight first-round losses. That was a far cry from the six semifinal appearances he made in the season's first seven races and Torrence's Indy showing indicates his consistent output may have returned. "We've worked a lot on improving our consistency during qualifying and that's big during the Countdown," Torrence said. "We have to maintain that and continue to get better. I think we've got a better handle on the car than we've had all year. It's really responded well to the changes we've made and that is encouraging. Those little points are a big deal and that's why you have to be consistent during every run." That gets magnified during the Countdown when every driver must be focused on the task at hand. The Kilgore, Texas native will have plenty of family and friends on hand at the Texas Motorplex for the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, but entertainment will take a back seat to performance. "Everybody understands that in Dallas it's strictly business," Torrence said. "We're racing for a championship and we have to be on our game at all times. You can close that gap on people just picking up qualifying points, so you have to maintain that consistency."
Torrence knows the Texas Motorplex well and that experience could translate to his first major success in a Top Fuel car at the famed facility. "I've spent a lot of time racing in Dallas," Torrence said. "I clinched the Top Alcohol Dragster championship there in 2005 and the track will always hold a special place for me. But I haven't had much success there in a (Top Fuel) car. I would definitely like to change that in front of the home crowd." In Funny Car, two-time world champ Pedregon took home the Wally last season and he will be a major player for the 2014 championship. He is chasing playoff top seed and reigning world champion John Force, while two-time Dallas winners Del Worsham and Robert Hight, two-time season winner Courtney Force, Matt Hagan, Indy winner Alexis DeJoria, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson and Tommy Johnson Jr. are among other championship hopefuls.
Krawiec and his Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team has been the most consistent this season. Teammate Andrew Hines is the top seed in the Countdown and Krawiec enters the playoffs off his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory. Reigning world champ Matt Smith, Michael Ray, Angie Smith, Steve Johnson, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr. and Scotty Pollacheck are a few of the Pro Stock Motorcycle riders who will attempt to take home a Dallas victory. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family. The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Sept. 19, with sessions at 2:15 and 5:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21. To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Texas Motorplex at (800) MOTORPLEX (668-6775) or visit www.texasmotorplex.com. Before the NHRA Mello Yello Series arrives in Texas for the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the circuit will visit zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 12-14, for the NHRA Carolina Nationals. Keep up with all the action on ESPN2.
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