Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals: Top points leader Steve Torrence grabs top qualifying spot in Top Fuel

Three-time defending NHRA Top Fuel world champion Steve Torrence proved he is the man to beat, posting the quickest qualifying time of both qualifying sessions at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk. Turns out, the run he laid down Friday evening was all he needed. Torrence's 3.705 at 324.83 miles per hour held up against all comers Saturday, giving the current points leader his third No. 1 qualifier of the season. Torrence will face No. 16 qualifier Shawn Langdon in the first round of eliminations today. "It gives you a lot of confidence as a driver to know you've got a car that was low every session, went A to B and had no hiccups," Torrence said. "It definitely boosts your confidence, but tomorrow is going to be a lot hotter and track conditions are going to change a lot. We'll go do the best we can and see if we can go four rounds tomorrow." Torrence has won two of the last three NHRA national event races at Summit Motorsports Park. Brittany Force and Billy Torrence saw both their strong runs in Friday's qualifying session hold up, as well, putting them second and third on the qualifying ladder. Force will face Columbia Station resident Mike Bucher, who qualified No. 15 with his Friday pass of 4.094 at 280.19 mph in the first round of eliminations. The nitro cars liked Friday's weather better than Saturday's, as Ron Capps also saw his Friday run of 3.888 at 329.34 mph hold up to give him the top Funny Car qualifying spot. Capps will square off with Terry Haddock, the No. 16 qualifier, in the first round today. Haddock knocked Capps off in the first round of the last NHRA national event, the NHRA New England Nationals on June 13 in Epping, N.H. "It's a great start with a great car," Capps said. "Tomorrow is going to be warmer and it's going to be tough conditions. We're racing Terry Haddock again in the first round and, like I said in Epping, you can't take anyone lightly. "We'll be on our game and we're going to try to keep doing what we've been doing this weekend." Robert Hight ended up second on the qualifying sheet with his Friday run of 3.888, but his 3.911 at 331.20 mph pass Saturday night, although not the top ET of qualifying, was the fastest. Hight will battle No. 15 qualifier Dale Creasy in the first round. Greg Anderston struggled in Pro Stock qualifying Friday night, but he came out swinging Saturday. His 6.602 at 206.54 gave him his sixth No. 1 qualifying position in seven races this season and the 112th of his career. Anderson fell in the final round to Aaron Stanfield in the final round in Epping in his bid to secure his 97th career Pro Stock win. Anderson will face Fernando Cuadra in the first round today. "It's all about positivity and you've got to think positive if you want results," Anderson said. "I'm going to think positive all day tomorrow and there's a lot to be positive about. I'm racing here at a beautiful race track and the fans are excited. It all comes down to execution on Sunday. "I didn't close the deal at the last race and I need to close the deal tomorrow." Stanfield, who posted the quickest qualifying pass Friday, qualified second. He will race Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the first round today. Steve Johnson set the track record in Pro Stock Motorcycle with his 6.789 pass at 198.44 to claim the top spot. It was his first top qualifying spot since the 2019 season and the fifth of his career. It was the first run in the 6.70's PSM in track history. "I'm just so proud," Johnson said. "We just take all those tiny details and it's all about this race team. It's so good to get a yellow (No. 1 qualifier) hat." Eddie Krawiec claimed the track record with a 6.807 pass at 201.49, but it only lasted a few moments before Johnson took it away. Professional eliminations begin at 11 a.m. today. Contact Mike Perry at 329-7135 or macsportstalk@gmail.com.