BILLY TORRENCE NABS NO. 1 TF QUALIFYING SPOT AT SOUTHERN NATS

Written by Tracy Renck, photo by Roger Richards    Sat, 2021-05-01 18:00


Billy Torrence was a man of few words after capturing the No. 1 qualifying spot at the final Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Torrence clocked a 3.815-second run at 323.43 mph in the second and final qualifying session to take the top spot in his Capco Contractors family-owned dragster.

Billy just edged his son Steve for the No. 1 spot. Steve, the reigning and three-time Top Fuel NHRA world champion, clocked a 3.817-second lap at 323.66 to take the No. 2 spot on the ladder.

“These green hats are easier to come by than those winner hats, but I'll take this one,” Billy said.

This is Billy’s 61st career NHRA Top Fuel race and his fourth career No. 1 qualifying spot.

The elder Torrence qualified second at the season-opening race – the Gatornationals March 12-14 in Gainesville, Fla., and at the last event, the Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip in Las Vegas he was fifth. His elimination-round record is 2-2 this season.

Billy has been overjoyed the past few weeks thanks to Steve and his wife, Natalie having a baby girl, Haven Charli April 7.

“This whole three weeks being a grandfather has been just unreal,” Billy said. “I haven't had a lot of time to spend with that little girl, because Kay (Billy’s wife) has monopolized her, poor little thing. She's kissed the hide off her face.”

Since there are only 14 Top Fuel dragsters in the field, Billy will receive a bye in the first round. He will face the winner between Antron Brown and Doug Kalitta in the second round.

Billy, who arrived in Atlanta fifth in the Top Fuel NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series standings, received three bonus points for his final qualifying run. In his first qualifying attempt earlier Saturday, Billy posted a 4.522-second pass.

 

 
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