Entering the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, defending Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown had a record of 22-3 against Steve Torrence.

Judging from Sunday, Torrence has exorcised that hex.

With a final round pass of 3.784 seconds at 329.42, Torrence gained a measure of revenge by defeating Brown in the finals. Brown ran a 3.974 at 281.83.  

Counting Sunday’s conquest, Torrence has been victorious in three of the four final round battles this season against Brown and his Don Schumacher Racing  juggernaut.

Torrence, who has also won three of the past four races, took special delight in his latest victory.

It’s huge,” he said. “I love beating the butts of the Schumacher cars. Not so much when it’s AB (Antron Brown,) but some of those other ones.”

Torrence took the lead with a reaction time of .051 to Brown’s .063. It was the eighth final of the season for Brown and Torrence.

According to Torrence, his team has found the perfect blend of tuning, strategy and speed.

“It’s basically been just a dream season. There’s no other way to say it,” said Torrence, who has 14 career wins. “I’ve got a team of guys that have been together for 5-6 years and everybody has jelled really well.”

Despite his victory, Torrence said his final round pass was anything but routine.

“The thing was shaking all the way through there,” he said. “It’s either got a tire out of balance or hell, I don’t know what I was doing. I think Antron put a hole out or something. I heard him beside me for a little bit and then the car shut off.”

Torrence  drives for one of the few remaining single-car family teams remaining in the Top Fuel or Funny Car classes. Veteran Richard Hogan serves as crew chief with Bobby Lagana  Jr. in the car chief position for the Capco Contractors dragster.

The low-key Hogan spends weekdays at his home in Montana while Lagana manages the race shop.

“You can come into our pits and there is a whole lot of chaos, but there’s no talking,” Torrence said. “Everybody just gets things done. The confidence among every member of our team is higher than it’s ever been before, and I think that shows at the starting line. I know that I’ve got a car that can beat anybody at any time, so I drive well. It’s truly been an unforgettable season. I don’t want it to stop now, so we will continue to keep marching on."

Torrence admitted to taking pride in beating the superpowers in the sport.

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities in the past to join some of those multi-car teams, and I just got of the way by saying it wouldn’t work out,” Torrence said. “We ended up doing our own team. “It’s much more difficult this way. You’re on an island by yourself and you’re figuring things out by yourself.  We have some relationship with other guys, but you just can’t go over to get help. With all that being said, it’s way more gratifying to get these wins as a family-run team.”

The track temperature for the first round of eliminations was 101 degrees. After many drivers struggled with the heat, the track temp went down to the 75-degree mark by the finals.

The 34-year-old Torrence was smooth all day, posting elapsed times of 3.760, 3.750, 3.753 and 3.784 seconds with each run at 327 mph or better.

 “These Capco guys are bad ass,” Torrence said.  “I’ve said all along I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else and I think people are starting to see what I mean.  They are great at making adjustments to the conditions so that I know when I go up there that I’ve got a race car under me that can do the job.  All I can do is screw it up and, thankfully, I’ve managed not to do that – at least not a whole lot.”

Entering the Aug. 4-6 NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Torrence leads Schumacher Racing  teammates Brown and Leah Pritchett in points with three races remaining before the  NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship.

Torrence said now is not the time to experiment with a proven package.

“No, we’re not going to change anything,” he said. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing. Hogan’s been spot-on making adjustments and that’s what this game is all about.  You have to be able to adapt and these guys do that every weekend. I love them.”

On Sunday night, the focus for Torrence was fun.

“We’re definitely gonna celebrate this one," he said.