Steve Torrence Topeka wrap-up

Steve Torrence Loses in First Round at Topeka
A/Fuel Dragster Driver Keeps Lucas Oil Series Lead

TOPEKA, Kan., May 28, 2006 -- Steve Torrence came into the O'Reilly Summer Nationals with the Lucas Oil Series A/Fuel Dragster point lead and he left with it despite suffering a first-round setback.

Crew chief and team owner Tom Conway changed motors in the Knoll-Gas Motorsports/Torco Racing Fuels dragster Friday night searching for a combination that would run well in the heat and humidity at Heartland Park Topeka. Torrence qualified ninth and square off against Chris Demke in the opening round.

Torrence gave Demke a good race, only to fall three-thousandths of a second short at the finish line. Torrence had the quicker run, 5.600 seconds at 252.10 mph to Demke's 5.605 at 252.23.

Torrence, the reigning Lucas Oil Series Top Alcohol Dragster champion, also benefitted when several of his closest competitors -- Ashley Force, Aaron Olivarez and Bill Reichert -- lost early too.

-jls-