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Kilgore's Steve Torrence wins 2nd straight NHRA Top Fuel championship

He is just the eighth driver to win back-to-back Top Fuel championships.
Credit: Steve Torrence

POMONA, Calif. — Kilgore's Steve Torrence is king of the raceway after clinching the NHRA Top Fuel championship for the second consecutive year.

Torrence claimed the title at the Auto Club NHRA Finals at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. He is just the eighth driver to win back-to-back Top Fuel championships. 

In 2018, Torrence became the 21st different driver in the 45-year history of the NHRA series to claim the sport’s ultimate title when he won all six events comprising the Countdown to the Championship, the first such sweep since the NHRA adopted the current playoff format in 2007. He was among four finalists for the Best Driver award that was presented at the 27th annual ESPY Awards in July.

In March, Torrence was recognized on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives for his accomplishments in professional drag racing.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from June 2019 when Steve Torrence appeared on CBS19's 19Now.

Three other Texans have won the NHRA Top Fuel championships. Richard Tharp, of Dallas, did so in 1976, Eddie Hill, of Wichita Falls, was the champion in 1993, and Lubbock native Kenny Bernstein prevailed in both 1996 and 2001.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from June 2019 when Steve Torrence appeared on CBS19's 19Now.

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