EPPING, N.H. — Four-time defending Top Fuel season champion Steve Torrence made the quickest run in New England Dragway history, driving to the provisional No. 1 spot Friday in the NHRA New England Nationals.
In a side-by-side qualifying run with points leader Brittany Force, Torrence set the track time record with a run of 3.664 seconds at 329.50 mph. Torrence is winless in the first seven events of the season.
“There was so much emotion behind that run just because we’ve been working so hard and diligently to really make this car do that,” Torrence said. “[I] couldn’t be happier for every one of these guys on the team because it’s so much hard work. You have to tear stuff down to build it back up stronger and that’s where we’re at. That’s a confidence booster for myself and for every one of the guys. That’s what we needed to do, and it came at the perfect time.”
Matt Hagan topped the Funny Car field and Dallas Glenn took the Pro Stock lead. Hagan, the points leader, had a 3.878 at 332.51 in a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Glenn ran a 6.543 at 209.33 in a Chevrolet Camaro.