Steve Torrence announced on Thursday that he will depart from Dexter Tuttle’s Top Fuel team at the conclusion of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta on May 13-15 to form his own family-operated team. All 39 of Torrence’s professional races have been at the wheel of Tuttle Motorsports’ Top Fuel Dragster.“I have grown up in a racing family, and I’m proud to be able to do that once again with my mom [Kay] and dad [Billy],” said Torrence. “We decided it was a good time to make a change in direction with our Top Fuel efforts and field our own team. We are currently acquiring the necessary parts and equipment to assemble a team and make our debut as soon as possible.”

Torrence Racing has brought Richard Hogan onboard as crew chief and the team is currently assembling crew members.

Torrence finished a strong eighth last year in his fist full season at the wheel of Tuttle’s machine in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, and currently sits tenth in the standings with round wins to his credit at Gainesville and Charlotte. He won the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster national championship in 2005.

“I want to thank Dexter for giving me the opportunity to drive a Top Fuel dragster,” Torrence said. “I really enjoyed racing with everyone at Tuttle Motorsports. I learned a lot there.”

“We plan on using the rest of the 2011 season to establish ourselves and get everything in order to prepare for 2012.”