Indianapolis - Duane Shields had a strong running car in the Top Alcohol Dragster division at the historic 64th annual Chevrolet Performance NHRA US Nationals. While Duane didn’t get in the Winner’s Circle, the team did everything right all weekend but lost a very close side-by-side race in the semi final round. But that’s Indy, the pentacle of racing where history is made and wins and loses can be remembered for decades.
Duane qualified 9th with a 5.29 at 274 MPH which set up a close first round match up with Megan Meyer. As the lights came down on the tree, it was Meyer out of the gate first with an 0.025 to Duane’s 0.047. Meyer didn’t have much time to enjoy her lead as Duane was able to pull ahead almost immediately and hung on to take the win by a slim 17 foot margin with a strong 5.28 at 276 MPH to Meyer’s close 5.34 at 278 MPH.
In round two, Duane faced the top qualifier Jackie Fricke who dispatched Brandon Greco to the trailer in round one. At the hit both drivers left at the same time with identical 0.069 reaction times. It was Duane once again taking the stripe with a sizzling 5.27 at 275 MPH to Fricke's 5.36 at 264 MPH to move on to the final four. “That was a good race and a big win! We had identical reaction times and beat the number one qualifier so I'm really happy about the win” Duane said.
In the semifinals, the PEAK Team met up with Dan Page. As both cars left the line it was Duane with the starting line advantage with an 0.045 to Page’s 0.057. However, Page was able to pull ahead and stay in front of Duane long enough to cross the finish line as Duane was closing in with a big MPH charge. Page took a narrow sixteen foot victory and posted a 5.32 at 267 MPH to Duane’s valiant 5.37 at 274 MPH. “It’s a long race and we came up short. We had a great weekend but we wanted to win Indy period. But hey, we won two rounds on Sunday and got to play on Monday. The team did a great job but it just wasn’t meant to be this year.” Duane said.
Next week, the PEAK team returns to the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for a regional event at Epping, New Hampshire. Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for their support.
Duane qualified 9th with a 5.29 at 274 MPH which set up a close first round match up with Megan Meyer. As the lights came down on the tree, it was Meyer out of the gate first with an 0.025 to Duane’s 0.047. Meyer didn’t have much time to enjoy her lead as Duane was able to pull ahead almost immediately and hung on to take the win by a slim 17 foot margin with a strong 5.28 at 276 MPH to Meyer’s close 5.34 at 278 MPH.
In round two, Duane faced the top qualifier Jackie Fricke who dispatched Brandon Greco to the trailer in round one. At the hit both drivers left at the same time with identical 0.069 reaction times. It was Duane once again taking the stripe with a sizzling 5.27 at 275 MPH to Fricke's 5.36 at 264 MPH to move on to the final four. “That was a good race and a big win! We had identical reaction times and beat the number one qualifier so I'm really happy about the win” Duane said.
In the semifinals, the PEAK Team met up with Dan Page. As both cars left the line it was Duane with the starting line advantage with an 0.045 to Page’s 0.057. However, Page was able to pull ahead and stay in front of Duane long enough to cross the finish line as Duane was closing in with a big MPH charge. Page took a narrow sixteen foot victory and posted a 5.32 at 267 MPH to Duane’s valiant 5.37 at 274 MPH. “It’s a long race and we came up short. We had a great weekend but we wanted to win Indy period. But hey, we won two rounds on Sunday and got to play on Monday. The team did a great job but it just wasn’t meant to be this year.” Duane said.
Next week, the PEAK team returns to the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for a regional event at Epping, New Hampshire. Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for their support.
