Steve Torrence wins home NHRA race for 3rd straight victory

Published Oct. 7, 2018 6:28 p.m. ET

ENNIS, Texas (AP) — Steve Torrence won the AAA Texas NHRA Nationals at Texas Motorplex on Sunday for his third straight victory to open the playoffs and first career win in his home event.

Torrence beat Terry McMillen in the final with a 3.786-second pass at 325.92 mph. Torrence has eight victories this season and 24 overall. He leads the standings by 103 points.

"We were just here to go rounds," Torrence said. "I don't have a Top Fuel championship. I have a Top Alcohol championship and the year that I won that I won at Dallas. We've been trying to get it done here since 2010. This is a check off my bucket list to be able to come to Dallas and win. I couldn't be prouder to pull off a victory in front of everyone that was here this weekend."

Robert Hight won in Funny Car, Tanner Gray in Pro Stock and LE Tonglet in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the third of six events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship.

Hight, the defending series and event champion, powered his Chevrolet Camaro SS to his second consecutive victory. He beat J.R. Todd with a 3.955 at 325.69.

Gray also raced to his second victory in a row, beating Jeg Coughlin Jr with a 6.622 at 207.62 in a Camaro. Tonglet won for the fourth time this year and 20th overall, topping Jerry Savoie with a 6.892 at 194.80 on a Suzuki. Tonglet also took the points lead.