Steve Torrence, Dexter Tuttle geared up for NHRA’s season opener

An enthusiastic Steve Torrence will ready to shake off winter’s dearth of drag racing action Thursday when NHRA launches its 60th season with the 51st Kragen O’Reilly Auto Parts Winternationals at Pomona, Calif.

“I am ready to go racing,” said Torrence, who finished eighth in 2010 Top Fuel points in his initial season of Full Throttle Drag Racing Series competition.  He is again partnered with team owner Dexter Tuttle, who has added Tony Shortall as the crew chief.

“I thought eighth was a good finish for a first-year team, but we definitely want to improve on that this time,” Torrence continued.  “Our Capco Racing/Tuttle Motorsports dragster was running well at the end of the season, and we all want to start from there and pick up the momentum that will carry us higher in the final standings.”

Torrence and Tuttle share their enthusiasm about this team’s potential.

“I learned a lot last year,” commented Torrence.  “I am a lot more confident now.  I am really looking forward to getting back in the car Thursday and hitting the throttle again.  I think we are going to have a good time this season.”

Tuttle, a drag racing veteran who drove and tuned drag boats before embracing asphalt racing, likes the improvements he’s seen in his driver.

“Steve is definitely a lot better driver now,” he said.  “He’s more mature.  I think we will be more competitive.  I expect us to win a race or two and finish in the top five.  That’s what we will be striving to accomplish.”