Steve Torrence Among Nominees for “Best Driver” ESPY

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Top Fuel drag racing champion Steve Torrence of Kilgore, Texas, who last year drove his CAPCO Contractors dragster to victory in more than half the races contested on the NHRA Camping World tour, again has been nominated for a prestigious ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Award in the Best Driver category.

Bidding this year to become just the fourth driver in NHRA history to win as many as five straight championships, Torrence was nominated for his success during a 2021 season during which he won 11 of 20 starts. The other nominees are 2021 Formula 1 series Champion Max Verstappen of The Netherlands, 2021 Indy Car Champion Alex Palou of Spain and 2021 NASCAR Champion Kyle Larsen of Elk Grove, Calif.

"It's really special to be considered for such an award and to represent the sport of drag racing in the company of such great drivers,” Torrence said. “Coming from such humble beginnings, to be recognized on a stage like the ESPYs is special for my family, my town of Kilgore and for the many fans of drag racing from all over the world.

“Even though it is a ‘Best Driver’ award, I know this nomination wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and success of those CAPCO Boys at Torrence Racing and the men and women at CAPCO Contractors in Henderson, Texas. This is as much a recognition of their accomplishments as mine."

This year’s 30th annual ESPY Awards show will be televised on ABC-TV from the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 20, starting at 7 p.m., Texas time.