Atco NJ - It’s hard to believe that at least one of the NHRA Lucas Oil Regional Drag Racing Series is now in the books even as the dog days of summer continue to drag on. Now, with the eastern regional series wrapped up, Duane Shields was able to clinch the Eastern Top Alcohol Dragster title at Atco Dragway. Even though his closest competitor, Rich McPhillips, won the Atco event he is unable to catch Duane since the PEAK team owns the tie breaker. “The eastern regionals has been a great series this year since there has been a large number of cars at every event. First, you have to qualify well just to get in the show and then in eliminations you have to face the eight quickest cars. We will miss the tough competition” Duane said.
Duane qualified on the poll at Atco with a 5.29 at 273 MPH to take on Earl Nichols in round one. At the hit, Nichols was out of the gate first but he had traction problems and idled down the track. Meanwhile, Duane made a convincing 5.35 at 272 MPH blast to ring up an easy first round win.
In round two, Duane raced against East Coast power house Dan Mercier. As the lights finally came down on the tree, Duane was out first with a 0.067 to Mercier’s 0.072. Both cars were side by side all the way down Atco’s quartermile track. At the finish line it was Mercier with a margin of victory at only 0.0030 of a second. "It was a close finish. I was really hoping to race Rich McPhillips in the finals to solidify the Championship. But Dan ran good enough to prevent a final round match up with Rich from happening” Duane said.
With the eastern regional series concluded, the PEAK team will now turn their attention to national events. “We will still race at our hometown regional in Las Vegas but until then we’ll be focusing in on national events. The car is running well and we’re very competitive so I see more good things ahead for the PEAK team” he said. Duane would like to thank his sponsors PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for supporting the team in 2015.
Duane qualified on the poll at Atco with a 5.29 at 273 MPH to take on Earl Nichols in round one. At the hit, Nichols was out of the gate first but he had traction problems and idled down the track. Meanwhile, Duane made a convincing 5.35 at 272 MPH blast to ring up an easy first round win.
In round two, Duane raced against East Coast power house Dan Mercier. As the lights finally came down on the tree, Duane was out first with a 0.067 to Mercier’s 0.072. Both cars were side by side all the way down Atco’s quartermile track. At the finish line it was Mercier with a margin of victory at only 0.0030 of a second. "It was a close finish. I was really hoping to race Rich McPhillips in the finals to solidify the Championship. But Dan ran good enough to prevent a final round match up with Rich from happening” Duane said.
With the eastern regional series concluded, the PEAK team will now turn their attention to national events. “We will still race at our hometown regional in Las Vegas but until then we’ll be focusing in on national events. The car is running well and we’re very competitive so I see more good things ahead for the PEAK team” he said. Duane would like to thank his sponsors PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for supporting the team in 2015.
