Duane Shields Shows Improvement in Epping

Duane Shields Shows Improvement in Epping

Epping NH - The Shortline Express team raced at New England Dragway in the highly competitive Northeast Division where ten Top Alcohol Dragsters were battling for a qualifying spot and then an eventual trip to the winner’s circle.

Duane Shields qualified in the sixth position with a 5.48 at 253 MPH and would race number three qualifier John Finke in the first round. “We were happy with that 5.48 in qualifying. We had the quickest 60 foot time and had to peddle but it still ran a .48. It’s carrying the front wheels nicely” Duane said when describing the run.

The team has been making numerous changes to the car between races including changes to the fuel system. “We came into this race behind the eight ball as we made a lot of changes to the car. But I’m encouraged by the results although we still have a ways to go in perfecting the fuel system” Duane observed.

In round one of eliminations, John Finke got off of the line first and was able to maintain a slight lead all the way to the finish line but Duane stayed with him most of the way. Finke stopped the clock with a 5.41 at 263 MPH to Duane’s 5.57 at 250 MPH. 'I’m disappointed that the car didn’t run fast enough but overall I’m happy that we’re making progress. The car is performing well. We didn’t get any data on the second run in qualifying so we got behind by one run and that made a difference going into eliminations” Duane said.

Next, the Shortline Express team heads to Cecil County Dragway where they expect everything they have worked on will come together. “I think we will run pretty strong through the second half of the season” Duane commented. The Shortline Express team would like to thank his sponsors GRP Connecting Rods, Molinari Race Products and NGK Spark Plugs for their valued support.