Phoenix - Madison Payne won her first NHRA race while also scoring her first pole position at the NHRA Lucas Oil Regional event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Prior to the race, Muscle Milk race team owner and primary driver Duane Shields fell ill with the flu on Thursday night. Rather than cancel competing at the event, Madison Payne came to the rescue and filled in for Duane. Immediately, the team went on a tare by taking the number one qualifying spot with a great 5.23 at 264 MPH. In addition to being the number one qualifier, the Muscle Milk team also set low ET and top speed of the event.
In the opening round, Madison raced Eric Chesleigh. At the hit, it was Chesleigh out first but he experienced trouble and had to let up. Madison zoomed past him to take the win. Madison stopped the clock with a strong 5.33 over Chesleigh's problem-plagued 12.66 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semis, Madison drew four-time World Champion Joey Severance. As the lights came down, Severance was off the line first with a .053 to Madison's .101. Despite the small deficit at the starting line, Madison was able to hang a wheel on Severance at the finish line and take a very close win with a 5.21 at 277 MPH over Severance's close 5.27 at 273 MPH.
In the final round, the Muscle Milk team faced another Oregon-based former World Champion, Mitch Myers. Myers was ready for Madison as he left the starting line with a nearly perfect .002 light over Madison's .078. But all Myers was able to muster on the run was a 5.74 at just 175 MPH. Meanwhile, Madison was on a clean pass and scored her first-ever win with a competitive 5.29 at 275 MPH. Duane was excited about his team's win and in particular his substitute driver. "I'm so proud of Madison today! She got her first Regional win and covered for me after I got the flu on Thursday night. Madison won her 1st race at the same track that her Dad, Jay Payne, won his 1st race. That will be a memory for both of them to share. It was exciting watching the family enjoy the winner's circle with our entire team who gave her a bad ass car this weekend! " Shields added.
Ryan Herem Rebounds from Accident and takes Super Comp Win
Duane also got to celebrate another win at the Phoenix event when his son-in-law, Ryan Herem, won seven rounds of racing to take the Super Comp Championship. "It meant a lot to Ryan to win the race at a track where he had suffered a crash in super gas that took a year to recover from in 2020. I'm proud of the job Ryan has done in rebounding from his accident. It now can be in the rearview mirror for him" Duane said.
The team will take a short break before returning to their home track in Las Vegas for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 1-3 where Madison will also drive. Duane and Madison would like to thank Muscle Milk, NGK Spark Plugs, GRP Connecting Rods, Brad Enterprises, and Clean Boost for their support of a big win in Phoenix. #poweredbyMuscleMilk @cleanboostoil @bradandersonent @ngkntkperformance @ngksparkplugsofficial #ngkracing @madisonpayne1
In the opening round, Madison raced Eric Chesleigh. At the hit, it was Chesleigh out first but he experienced trouble and had to let up. Madison zoomed past him to take the win. Madison stopped the clock with a strong 5.33 over Chesleigh's problem-plagued 12.66 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semis, Madison drew four-time World Champion Joey Severance. As the lights came down, Severance was off the line first with a .053 to Madison's .101. Despite the small deficit at the starting line, Madison was able to hang a wheel on Severance at the finish line and take a very close win with a 5.21 at 277 MPH over Severance's close 5.27 at 273 MPH.
In the final round, the Muscle Milk team faced another Oregon-based former World Champion, Mitch Myers. Myers was ready for Madison as he left the starting line with a nearly perfect .002 light over Madison's .078. But all Myers was able to muster on the run was a 5.74 at just 175 MPH. Meanwhile, Madison was on a clean pass and scored her first-ever win with a competitive 5.29 at 275 MPH. Duane was excited about his team's win and in particular his substitute driver. "I'm so proud of Madison today! She got her first Regional win and covered for me after I got the flu on Thursday night. Madison won her 1st race at the same track that her Dad, Jay Payne, won his 1st race. That will be a memory for both of them to share. It was exciting watching the family enjoy the winner's circle with our entire team who gave her a bad ass car this weekend! " Shields added.
Ryan Herem Rebounds from Accident and takes Super Comp Win
Duane also got to celebrate another win at the Phoenix event when his son-in-law, Ryan Herem, won seven rounds of racing to take the Super Comp Championship. "It meant a lot to Ryan to win the race at a track where he had suffered a crash in super gas that took a year to recover from in 2020. I'm proud of the job Ryan has done in rebounding from his accident. It now can be in the rearview mirror for him" Duane said.
The team will take a short break before returning to their home track in Las Vegas for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 1-3 where Madison will also drive. Duane and Madison would like to thank Muscle Milk, NGK Spark Plugs, GRP Connecting Rods, Brad Enterprises, and Clean Boost for their support of a big win in Phoenix. #poweredbyMuscleMilk @cleanboostoil @bradandersonent @ngkntkperformance @ngksparkplugsofficial #ngkracing @madisonpayne1
