Pomona - Duane Shields showed signs of improvement while still in “test mode” as he continues to sort out his new engine combination for next season while competing at the final event of the year, the NHRA Auto Club Finals. “This weekend went well. The tune up we have been working on is coming around and I’m encouraged” Shields said as he summed up the weekend. Duane stepped up big in qualifying as he qualified tenth in his PEAK Motor Oil A/Fuel Dragster with a respectable 5.38 at 261 MPH.
In round one Duane’s opponent was Don St. Arnaud from Edmonton Canada, who qualified seventh with a 5.35 so it was a fairly even match up. As the lights came down, both cars left the starting line together although St. Arnaud had a slight advantage off the line. As the cars reached mid track Duane had a commanding lead and maintained it all the way to the finish line. Duane stopped the clock with his best pass of the weekend, a sizzling 5.31 at 266 MPH to advance to the next round.
In the quarterfinal round, Duane was matched up with number two qualifier Chris Demke. At the hit Duane instantly went up in smoke, got off and then back on the throttle but had the same result. Meanwhile, Demke had a clean run to take the win. “Chris is running very well right now so we had to step it up in order to beat him. We just got a little two aggressive and smoked the tires” Duane said.
Duane is already looking forward to the 2013 season. “We are already in a great position going into next season and we look forward to representing PEAK Motor Oil and all of their associated brands including: PEAK Antifreeze, Herculiner Truck Bed Liners, Blue DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid and FINAL Charge Heavy Duty Truck Antifreeze. We would also like to recognize GRP Connecting Rods, NGK Spark Plugs, Molinari Race Products, Sierra Ice and Shortline Markets for their continued support of our team”.
In round one Duane’s opponent was Don St. Arnaud from Edmonton Canada, who qualified seventh with a 5.35 so it was a fairly even match up. As the lights came down, both cars left the starting line together although St. Arnaud had a slight advantage off the line. As the cars reached mid track Duane had a commanding lead and maintained it all the way to the finish line. Duane stopped the clock with his best pass of the weekend, a sizzling 5.31 at 266 MPH to advance to the next round.
In the quarterfinal round, Duane was matched up with number two qualifier Chris Demke. At the hit Duane instantly went up in smoke, got off and then back on the throttle but had the same result. Meanwhile, Demke had a clean run to take the win. “Chris is running very well right now so we had to step it up in order to beat him. We just got a little two aggressive and smoked the tires” Duane said.
Duane is already looking forward to the 2013 season. “We are already in a great position going into next season and we look forward to representing PEAK Motor Oil and all of their associated brands including: PEAK Antifreeze, Herculiner Truck Bed Liners, Blue DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid and FINAL Charge Heavy Duty Truck Antifreeze. We would also like to recognize GRP Connecting Rods, NGK Spark Plugs, Molinari Race Products, Sierra Ice and Shortline Markets for their continued support of our team”.
