JR Todd

He was on his game at the starting line. In the opening round, he left the first and stayed in front to eliminate J.R. Todd, 3.846 seconds at 320.58 mph to 3.859 at 319.67. Up against Bob Vandergriff in the next round, Torrence had a large lead at the start and was unchallenged en route to a 3.848 at 320.58 to 3.884 at 320.43 win.

In the semifinals with Brandon Bernstein – and without a victory in nine previous attempts to reach the final round – Torrence was undaunted. He left first again and lit the win light in 3.886 seconds at 316.97 mph with Bernstein close behind at 3.890 at 315.64.

“It was awesome to have my dad here with me this weekend and share that with him because I grew up wanting to drive a Top Fuel car as just a kid coming to the races. Now I’m out here doing this -- winning races and living my dream because of him and because of all the guys that have worked their tails off every day at Capco Contractors. They got us out here.”

Despite the loss, Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, was able to wrestle away the top spot in the standings from his U.S. Army Racing/Don Schumacher Racing teammate Antron Brown, who dropped a first-round race to Doug Kalitta. Schumacher, with 604 points, leads a top-five that includes Spencer Massey, Brown, Morgan Lucas and Torrence, respectively. 

“It’s always a good thing to be leading the points,” Schumacher said. “But, to be honest, it would have been better to be leaving here with the points lead and a win. People say you can’t have your cake and eat it, too, but I’m one person who wants that in the worst way.”