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Torrence Wraps Up the Season in Pomona

Steve Torrence takes on Doug Herbert in qualifying. Photo Rich Bailey

Pomona - (November 17, 2008) -- With 21 cars in the field and some of the toughest competition seen all year, sometimes you have to count your blessings that your team had a solid effort which is exactly what Steve Torrence did at the Auto Club NHRA Finals held at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. "I was glad to be back in the car. That was the main thing" said the talented driver from Kilgore Texas. Torrence was runner up at this race in 2005 when he was driving an A/Fuel Dragster.

Torrence qualified the VisViva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel Dragster ninth in the final qualifying order but was briefly on the poll position during the opening round of qualifying with a 3.86, which earned the team some kudos from announcer Bob Frey and the fans on hand. On the team's final qualifying run the car experienced some problems with the blower belt but that didn't seem to shake Torrence's confidence. "On the last qualifying pass, I experienced some problems with the belt, but up until then the car ran great and I was confident the car would run well in the first round" Torrence said.

In the opening round of eliminations, Torrence took on Rod Fuller driving the CAT entry. Torrence got out in front of Fuller with an 0.043 reaction time to Fuller's 0.056. But, down track the belt came off and Fuller grabbed the win with a 3.83 at 314 MPH to Torrence's 3.93 at 254 MPH. "The belt came off and Fuller was able to drive around me. Other than the belt problem, we had a car that could go the Winner's Circle" said Torrence.

Even with the early first round exit, Torrence was still happy with how well everything went for the Tuttle team. "It was a good weekend. Everyone had fun and the car ran consistently well. I hope that in the off season we can keep our team together and be back here next year" Torrence said after the race.

Vis Viva Team Ends Season at Home
Pomona CA - (November 6, 2008) -- The Tuttle Motorsports team rolls out the VisViva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel Dragster one more time this year to finish the season at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, November 13-16. Like the NHRA Winternationals, the Auto Club NHRA Finals is arguably one of the biggest races on the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing circuit as everyone remembers who wins the first and last race of the year that's usually ripe with upsets.

Steve Torrence, the VisViva team's driver since mid-season is one of the freshest young faces on the tour and continues to improve at every stop that the team has made on the Powerade circuit since coming on board late last spring. Since the distance of the track has been changed to 1000 feet beginning in Denver, the Tuttle team has adapted well, making it to the semi final round at back to back races in Sonoma CA and Brainerd MN. Torrence is happy with how the team has progressed. "It took us a little bit of time to get in the swing of things but between Tony Shortall (crew chief) and Dexter Tuttle (car owner) the car is running great" Torrence said.

Torrence is no stranger to Pomona as he was runner-up in the Top Alcohol Dragster class in 2005 when he was piloting an A/Fuel dragster. Had he won that race he would have had a perfect season.

Now, Torrence is looking forward to the challenge of returning to Pomona after a few races off and hopes he can go down in history as one of Pomona's upset minded winners. "I'm looking forward to getting back in the seat. We have sat out a few races but have still had a pretty good hot rod" Torrence said. The Powerade NHRA Top Fuel Championship has already been decided so now the focus will be on who can make it to the Winner's Circle one last time in 2008. "We plan to end the season on a good note and I'm optimistic that we can win the race and be ready for next year" Torrence added.

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Vis Viva Team Returns to NHRA Series in Dallas
Dallas - (September 21, 2008) -- Dexter Tuttle's Vis Viva top fuel team returned to the NHRA Powerade Series at the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas with popular Texan Steve Torrence at the wheel.

In qualifying, Torrence got in the tough 16 car filed with a 3.87 to land him in the top half of the field at the seventh position. This set up a first round meeting with Antron Brown driving the Matco Tools car, who qualified tenth.

At the light, Brown got off the starting line first with a 0.066 reaction time to Torrence's 0.074. The reaction time turned out to the be the difference in the race as both cars ran identical 3.90 elapsed times and the same 307 MPH. Brown won the race with only 17 inches to spare.

The next race for the Vis Viva team will be the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona Nov. 13-16


Torrence Ready for First Top Fuel Experience at Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (August 28, 2008) -- This weekend's 54th running of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis will mark only the second time that Steve Torrence has raced at the prestigious event. In 2005 Torrence won in the Top Alcohol Dragster category, on his way to that year's TA/D world championship.

Torrence returns to ORP driving the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel dragster owned by Dexter Tuttle, and hopes his first Top Fuel race will mirror his previous results.

"Winning the U.S. Nationals in the A-Fuel car was a big deal in my career," Torrence said. "Winning in Top Fuel would be a dream come true." Team Vis Viva has been running well the last half of the season, coming off b ack-to-back semi-final finishes in both Sonoma, Calif. and Brainerd, Minn.

"We've had a pretty good hot rod lately," Torrence said. "We are looking to carry that momentum into Indy and hopefully get over that third round hurdle. The team is starting to come into its own and we are setting the groundwork for next year.

"We don't have a shot at making the countdown for the Top Fuel championship, so winning Indy would make our year. Skipping the last race gave us extra time to prepare and make sure everything is as good as it can be this weekend. We want this Wally. This is the biggest race of the year."

Torrence Makes it to Semifinals Again!
Brainerd - (August 10, 2008) -- It wasn't the win they were looking for but Steve Torrence and the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel Dragster team did make it to the semifinal round again for the second straight race which demonstrates that this team has gelled and is moving up the Top Fuel rankings quicker then a speeding bullet. And the timing could never be better with Indy right around the corner on Labor Day weekend.

Torrence qualified second for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals with a stout 3.86 at 308 MPH. Torrence would meet no. 15 qualifier, Hillary Will in the first round. Will, who has already won on the NHRA Powerade tour this season could not be taken lightly despite qualifying at the bottom of the field with a 4.54. Sure enough, Torrence had to earn the victory as Will stepped it up with a 3.99 at 305 MPH but it was still no match for Torrence's 3.88 at 307 MPH, even though Will was a little quicker off the starting line with a 0.098 to Torrence's 0.142.

In the quarterfinals, Torrence took on Morgan Lucas who was hoping to win one for the Lucas family, the title sponsor of the race. This time Torrence was quicker off the line with a 0.054 to Lucas' slower 0.071 reaction time. Torrence went on to win at both ends of the race track with another unbeatable 3.88 at 307 MPH package. Lucas crossed the stripe with a 3.92 at 302 MPH.

In the semifinals, Torrence met up with Top Fuel veteran Cory McClenathan. At the green, Torrence reacted first but to no avail as he went up in smoke. McClenathan didn't look back and thundered down track for the win and right to race Tony Schumacher in the final. McClenathan posted a 3.95 to Torrence's out of shape 7.99.

Vis Viva Team Hopes that Recent Success Continues in Brainerd
Brainerd - (August 6, 2008) -- On the heels of his best finish as a professional NHRA driver, Steve Torrence hopes to go one round farther then his semifinal round finish in Sonoma and win the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. The NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series race is being held at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd Minn. this weekend.

For car owner Dexter Tuttle, a win in Brainerd would provide some additional momentum and prove that the young Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel team is on the right track going into the last half of the 24 race season. Due to a mid-season driver change, it's too late for the team to accumulate enough points to get into the Countdown, which can be best described as NHRA's playoff system. However that doesn't mean that this emerging team won't have a say on who else gets into the top ten or gets eliminated as the Countdown approaches based on how well the Vis Viva team does in eliminations.

Everyone will be on their game in Brainerd including Torrence and crew chief Tony Shortall. In fact, the new combination of Torrence, a former Top Alcohol Dragster NHRA Champion, and Shortall, who has come up through the ranks to become one of drag racing's premier crew chiefs might just be drag racing's next big success story. So it should be no surprise to see the Vis Viva team in the Winner's Circle very soon.

SONOMA PHOTO GALLERY
An extended photo gallery from the Vis Viva team's great weekend at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals is now up: click here

VIS VIVA TEAM ENJOYS SUCCESS at SONOMA

Sonoma - (July 27, 2008) -- The Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel team went all the way to the semifinals at the Fram-Autolite NHRA Nationals held at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma CA. The results of the Sonoma race is a great indicator on how well the team is coming together around driver Steve Torrence.

In qualifying, Steve Torrence ended up eleventh best with a 3.88 at 300 MPH. This would set up a first round match between Torrence and no. 6 qualifier Troy Buff driving the black Bill Miller Engineering car. At the hit Buff loses traction but tries to peddle it. Meanwhile Torrence enjoys his best performance of the weekend with a 3.87 at 309 MPH to take the win.

In the second round, Torrence faced Brandon Bernstein in the Bud car. At the green Torrence did his job as he got off the line first with an 0.075 light to Bernstein's 0.088. Torrence never looked back and got to the stripe first with a 3.86 at 306 MPH victory over Bernstein's slower 3.95 at 286 MPH.

Torrence 's quarter final win would set up a semifinal showdown with Tony Schumacher who has been unstoppable throughout the Western Swing. Unfortunately for the Vis Viva team, Schumacher wasn't about to cool off and left first with a 0.067 to Torrence's 0.124. At the finish line it was Schumacher with a 3.94 at 300 MPH to get the holeshot win. Torrence's valiant 3.90 at 306 MPH just wasn't enough to make up for Schumacher's quicker reaction time.

Overall the Vis Viva team had a great weekend and demonstrated once again that they can run with the top contenders which gives them some momentum as the NHRA Powerade Series moves east to Brainerd MN, August 7-10.

TORRENCE SIDEWAYS IN SEATTLE


Seattle (July 20, 2008) -- Steve Torrence qualified the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel dragster in the 13th position with a 3.88 at 307 MPH at the Schucks Auto Supply NHRA Nationals. In the first round, Torrence faced opponent Rod Fuller. At the hit, Torrence reacted first over Fuller with an 0.082 reaction time to Fuller's close 0.088. But Torrence went up in smoke and got a little sideways before wisely abandoning the run. Fuller meanwhile cruised straight down Broadway for the win. Torrence will have another shot at a national event title when the Western Swing concludes in Sonoma this weekend. Photo by Rich Bailey

WALSH RETURNS TO TUTTLE MOTORSPORTS
DENVER (July 10, 2008) -- Veteran Nitro Tuner Jimmy Walsh has rejoined Tuttle Motorsports and the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel dragster driven by Steve Torrence. Walsh previously worked for team owner Dexter Tuttle in 2006 before accepting a position with Kenny Bernstein's Funny Car team early in 2007.

"I'm glad to have him back," Tuttle said. "We are similar in the way we think, and we get along very well. Jimmy is just a good guy that you know will take care of your equipment. His accomplishments tuning a race car speak for themselves."

Walsh has more than 25 years of experience in NHRA drag racing. In 2006, Walsh helped Tuttle Motorsports secure three event victories and an eighth place points finish for (then driver) J.R. Todd in the NHRA championship standings. Walsh also spent 20 seasons with Joe Amato's race team prior to joining Tuttle's operation.

Walsh will work closely with Tony Shortall who has been the crew chief on the Vis Viva dragster since the beginning of the 2008 season.

"The rest of the Vis Viva team will stay the same," Tuttle said. "We are simply adding Jimmy back into the equation to work with Tony [Shortall] and the rest of the guys. Nobody is leaving or being replaced."

Walsh is also looking forward to his return to Tuttle Motorsports and tuning a Top Fuel dragster.

"It's nice to be back with Dexter," Walsh said. "He runs a great operation over here, with a crew that is more than capable of winning. I had a good experience running the Funny Car and learned some things, but 99% of my experience is with Top Fuel and that really is where my heart is. My goal is to win rounds and win races. Dexter and I were successful together before, we will see if we can do it again."

TORRENCE READY FOR MORE SEAT TIME IN NORWALK
NORWALK, Ohio (June 26, 2008) -- Now that Steve Torrence has his first race of 2008 under his belt in the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink Top Fuel dragster, he is looking forward to this weekend of racing at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

"Last weekend was more about getting into the groove of racing together as a team," Torrence said. "Working together at the shop is one thing, but it is never the same as working together at the track under all the pressure of competing at the national event level."

Torrence showed he has what it takes to compete at drag racing's highest level last weekend in Englishtown, N.J.

"Steve was really smooth in the car," Crew chief Tony Shortall said. "He does the same thing every time, and he is very methodical in his approach to driving the racecar. He did a great job of feeling what the car was doing and did a pretty good job of 'peddling' in that first round against Schumacher, in spite of the narrow loss."

"Tony [Schumacher] is one of the best drivers out there," Torrence said. "To be even somewhat close to him in that first round made me feel pretty good.

"I only got three laps in at E-Town so I'm looking forward to getting more runs and continuing to learn and improve my driving at each race we go to. I have a great bunch of guys on 'Team Vis Viva' supporting me and working their tails off so I have the best car each time I go to the starting-line. I am so thankful to have this opportunity and I hope I can get the whole team a win this weekend."

TORRENCE READY FOR TEAM VIS VIVA DEBUT IN ENGLISHTOWN
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 17, 2008) -- This weekend's running of the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park not only marks the first time Top Fuel driver Steve Torrence will compete under the Vis Viva "Living Force Energy" drink banner, but will also be the first time Torrence competes at the New Jersey area track.

"E-town is all new for me," Torrence said. "I've never raced there even as a sportsman. It's one of those tracks on the circuit with a lot of history and I'm excited to finally have to chance to race there."

Torrence spent the early part of the week being fitted for the Dexter Tuttle owned racecar and had a great time getting to know the crew, affectionately referred to as "Team Vis Viva."

"I've fallen into a team that has been working together for awhile now," Torrence said. "They have great chemistry together and we were all cutting up, laughing and joking around while they fitted me to the car. D exter's theory is that with all the hard work the team puts in, everyone should also be able to have some fun too. That philosophy is a good fit for the way I like to race.

"We did have some comic relief at the shop," Torrence continued. "There are already two crew guys named Steve on 'Team Vis Viva,' so adding me into the mix made it three. Whenever someone yelled out for 'Steve' we all turned and looked. It became a running joke at the shop."

Torrence has realistic expectations for his debut this weekend at E-town.

"This is a very competitive bunch so sure we are going there with the goal to win," Torrence said. "If that happens it would be icing on the cake to be sure. But remember, I haven't driven a Top Fuel car since 2006 so I really just want to get some seat time and get re-acclimated to going 300 plus mph. As drivers we always put extra pressure on ourselves to perform and I'm sure that will kick in once I'm at the track. The biggest thing that I keep reminding myself is that I'm living my dream of racing Top Fuel thanks to Dexter Tuttle and Vis Viva. Considering I was sitting at home a few weeks ago, to be back out and racing is good enough for me for now."

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Fan Mail Russell Tribute a Hit with Fans! Hello. I read the article on nhra.com about the Darrell Russell tribute car that Alan Bradshaw will be driving in St. Louis. I know this will be an awesome tribute to Darrell and I know he would be very proud. I read that you will be handing out special tribute (driver) cards to the fans in St. Louis. I live in Nebraska and won't be attending the event, but would love to have one of the cards for my Darrell Russell collection. My husband and I were acquainted with Darrell through my friendship with Joe Amato. We found Darrell to be a true "gentle man" and a very talented racer whose life was taken much too soon. Thank you for your time. Good luck in St. Louis! Win one for Darrell! Vickie Minatare, NE A Memorable Day in Gaineville I just wanted to say thank you to Alan for being such a nice guy and so good with the fans. We had the chance to meet Alan in Gainesville this year and he was absolutely wonderful with my 6 yr old daughter Taylor. Taylor is a big NHRA fan and Tony Schumacher has always been her favorite top fuel driver ­ until she met Alan this year! She talked about how nice and funny he was for days after the event. Thanks again for making a miserable day (we were there on Friday in the rain) a memorable one! Best of luck in Atlanta! We will be rooting for your from Florida!! Name Witheld Florida

LINK TO NEW VIS VIVA RACING VIDEO See the hot new Vis Viva Top Fuel video shot at the Winternationals! Click on the link below: Vis Viva Video

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