Steve's Blog

Just got home this morning from Belle Rose after a funfilled weekend of racing.

First thing, my hat goes off to Spencer Massey for a great job this weekend. Gets his license on friday, qualifies number 2 on saturday and goes to the final. Good job man!!!

Got to the track on thusday where my entire day was spent decaling thing car with SKULL gear and TORCO logo's. But for an added bonus, i did get to watch Tom make a "Blast from the past." Tom made his first pass in 11 years in Brandon Pierce's, SOONER ONE car laying down a very respectable 5.43 @ 251 which was nearly two tenths quicker than he has ever been.

Friday we made our run around 5. We were the third pair out and being that there were only six cars it couldnt get much better than that.

The car left really well and felt to be on a good pass but started smoking the tires about 100' from the starting line. I somewhat pedaled it and was able to make down the track running a 6.35 @ 232

Saturday we were scheduled to run at 2 and 5. Our first pass was almost a carbon copy of the day before smoking the tires at about the same spot but was unable to get it hooked back up to finish the run.

Our second pass on saturday... well thats where it all turned around and things began to look up.

I was in the left lane for the first time of the weekend. The car left great, about 300' started to shake the tires but recoverd nicely and layed down a remarkable 5.31 @ 261 good enough for the number 1 spot.

First round Sunday morning.

Brandon Pierce, these guys hadnt made a full pass all weekend but were by no means something to not be concerned with. If they could get the car to hook up there wasnt any doubt that it would be fast.

The race was by far the best of the weekend. I had a .043 reaction time to his .057 and was able to stay out front for the win running 5.32 to his very competitive 5.39.

Second round we had the by but knew we had to go for it in order to have lane choice. I had a .048 reaction time and ran 5.39

Spencer, the guy i told you about earlier also won the second round and I was to face him in the finals. Unfortunately, during his pass the engine blew up kicking the rods out of the oil pan, and without enough extra parts to replace the engine they forfeited the final round.

Although we knew that Spencer wouldnt be able to show up and run, we thought it to be fitting to put on a show for the fans. So with a smoke filled half track burnout and 5.36 second pass we closed the day of racing out.

Now at home, its back to work until we leave again in a few weeks for our next race in Memphis. So keep looking for new updates.

AAAAAHHHH!!!!! If my phone rings one more time and it's someone calling to ask "Is it true?" I may just lose my mind.

Things have been rather hectic for the last couple days but i am glad to say they're are back to normal now. After many different stories and speculations of what people think happened. I did my best to end all rumors by putting a post on Insidetopalcohol.com last night. If there are anymore questions feel free. steve@stevetorrence.com

After a VERY VERY long drive, I am able to say that i'm back in the great state of Texas. I got home this morning about 9 o'clock.

Looking back on things in Pomona, I was pleased with how things went. Showing up without making a full pass in the car at all, taking the pole in the second session and sitting out the third to remain #1. I have to say things went ok.

I guess for now i can still blame my horribly bad reaction times on the fact that it is a new car and i'm not completely comfortable. ( i Hope thats the cause ) so that is the case that I'm pleading as of now.

As for second round "Rear wing..... I dont need no stinking rear wing."

About 150-200 ft out the car went into some average tire shake which isn't uncommon so my first reaction was to grab some brake and try to save the run. Just as I did so the car quickly became unsteady and felt as if it were hazing the tire. My immediate thought was to pedal it but by that time Federlin was long gone so there wasn't any point in taking a chance of hurting parts for nothing, and i just aborted the run.

Once i was off the track and out of the car the first words i heard from anyone was, " hey you left your wing at the line." Looking back to see just a bare stand at the back of the car. Yes a very awkard feeling.

Tom is on his way home now with the rig and should be back at the shop sometime tomorrow i suspect. I think there will be some definate changes made to the design of the wing stand and the car will now carry the larger dual element wing.

The next race isn't until March 3 in Belle Rose, La. so theres plenty of time for all the changes that need to be done and all the decisions that need to be made.

I would like to say thanks to the guys this weekend for all the extra effort they put into the car.
Shane, Cody, Mike, thank you.

Its been a few days since my last entry. Things are going pretty good we have had a few problems which have prevented us from making any full passes. We sat out yesterday and made quite a few changes on the car. I made some adjustments to the pedals and a few other things in the car to my liking. Other than a few small things that have already been changed the new car is "very nice" .

Saturday we made three passes but i was only able to salvage one half track pass out of them. The first two passes were a bit shaky having some problems in the fuel system the car wouldnt idle down after the burnout which prevented me from being able to keep the car stopped. Our third pass i encountered the same problem but was able to adjust the pressure inside the car to remedy it. Being the first launch in the new car the tune-up was a bit soft which was valid for some nasty tire shake. Tom said to only make a half pass so there was no point in trying to be a hero and save it.

As of now I'm waiting to see what the schedule looks like for today, hopefully we will make a few passes. I'm about to get up and take the motorhome and get it ready to leave tomorrow for Pomona, just have to drain the holding tanks and fill up the fresh water.

Hopefully i will have some good news for you later today .

Well.... Its finally here, I'm on my way to vegas for my first test session of the season. I left the house yesterday about 5 and drove for a while i think it was about 10 when i pulled over for the night. Momma Kay is here with me mainly to make sure i stay in line on my trip.

Mom got up this morning about 4 and started driving i think it was 7:30 when i got behind the wheel. Right now were somewhere between home and Vegas. Since west Texas everything has looked the same. But we should be pulling into the track either late tonight or early in the morning.

Thats all for now. Gotta get back to driving.

Check here soon for Steve's thoughts!