ROCKINGHAM — Although drivers are still testing and qualifying for this weekend’s Battle for the Thrones-Radial Outlaw Series, at least one new record been set at Rockingham Dragway.
Christian Torres launched his 2020 Toyota Supra down the track Wednesday evening, clocking an elapsed time of 7.94 at 173 mph in the quarter-mile, setting a new world record for the X58 class — which includes Supras and BMWs with S58 and B58 motors — with a 68mm turbo.
“This achievement is another milestone in my racing career,” said Torres, of Selma, who has been drag racing for 11 years. “Breaking this record is a testament to our hard world and dedication.”
Torres credits Matt Meadows, owner of Insomnia Motorsports in Cary, for his help with the build and sponsorship.
“I could not have done this without Matt,” Torres said.
This isn’t the only record Torres holds with the car, having recently set a new top spot for world’s fastest stock x58, with an 8.57 quarter-mile time at 157 mph.
“We are not stock motor anymore, but the… record holds strong and we don’t see anyone else breaking it anytime soon,” Torres said.
“The Rock…is one of my favorite quarter-mile tracks,” Torres added. “The prep is always great and the staff is amazing. The biggest difference about the Rock and other drag strips around the area is the organization and prep! They stay consistent no matter if it’s a test and tune or big event.”
Alan Felts came out on top in the X275 class during Battle for the Thrones at Rockingham Dragway April 28, 2024.
RO file photo
Dragway co-owner Dan VanHorn said Thursday afternoon that he anticipates more records being broken this weekend as the “fastest door cars in the world” zip down the track.
In a recent promo video with Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth, race promoter Donald “Duck” Long of Duck X Productions, said that several records were broken at a recent event at the aforementioned Georgia track.
Duck also promises “flying cars.”
“We make Elon Musk look like a kid with a friggin’ bottle rocket,” he said. “SpaceX, you ain’t got nothing on DuckX.”
The event features drivers hailing from around the world, including from Canada and Australia.
Since testing began, cars have been topping out at more than 200 mph, running the eighth-mile in less than 4 seconds.
On Thursday evening another world record was almost set in Radial vs. the World with Ken Quartuccio logging a 3.4788 1/8 ET at 210.77 mph. However, Quaratuccio set the record last month at South Georgia Motorsports Park with a 3.473 at 212 mph.
Qualifying started Thursday runs through early Saturday morning, with eliminations scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.
Winners of their respective classes will receive “the baddest trophy you could ever win as a drag racer”: an actual throne.
Last year, four new world records were set during Battle for the Thrones in the X275, Nitrous, Small Block Nitrous and Ultra Street classes.
The Rock has also been the site of several other record setters in recent years.
Two records were set in April 2023 during the Outlaw Diesel Super Series at Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam and multiple AMRA records were set last October in the 33rd annual Jim McClure Top Fuel World Finals.
The action slows down slightly to start off the next month with the spring edition of Mopars at the Rock — combined with the Modern Street Hemi Shootout series — April 5-6.
Other events for the upcoming month include: Sick at the Rock (April 10-12), with Promods at the Rock (April 11); and the third annual Lindsey’s Tire Truck Show (April 26).
The dragway will not be hosting any racing events when NASCAR returns across the highway at Rockingham Speedway April 18-19 with the Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series East and Xfinity Series.
NOTE: This story and headline has been edited to reflect verification Quartuccio's record. At the time the story was originally published, a new record had been announced. 10:39 p.m. 3-27-25
NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify the X58 record. 12:42 a.m. 3-29-25.
