Madison Payne Makes it to Semis in Seattle

The Muscle Milk team made the second of two back-to-back appearances in the Northwest. This weekend they competed at the Fav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals in Kent, Washington just twenty miles southeast of downtown Seattle. Madison qualified well with an impressive 5.25 at 276 MPH to land in the third position.
In round one, Madison faced former National Champion, Mitch Myers. At the light, it was Myers out first with a .061 reaction time to Madison's .084. As the two A/Fuel dragsters raced down the track, Myers was unable to keep the lead as Madison's Muscle Milk entry quickly narrowed the gap and overpower him at the top end for the win. Madison scored a sizzling 5.26 at 276 MPH over Myers' valiant 5.36 at 268 MPH.

In the second round, Madison raced Casey Grisel in his green Northern Idaho-based A/Fuel car. As the lights came down it was Madison leaving the line first with a .066 light to Grisel's .078. Madison was again on a great run and never relinquished the lead. Madison stopped the clock with a decent 5.28 at 276 MPH to Grisel's 5.43 at 251 MPH to advance to the semis.

In the semi-finals, Madison drew eventual winner, Jackie Fricke. Both drivers were late leaving the starting line with Fricke getting the advantage with a .133 to Madison's .160. Fricke kept the lead the entire way and took the finish line stripe with a 5.23 at 277 MPH over Madison's 5.30 at 277 MPH. Madison explained the delay leaving the starting line. "The car kept rolling into the beams and rolled in too deep. I had to grab the hand brake and as I did the tree fell. The car also slowed down just a little bit" she said.

In summing up the weekend, Madison thought the team had a better outing in Seattle than they did the prior weekend in Woodburn. "The conditions were better here and the car ran well. We are all excited to race in Brainerd in a few weeks" she said. Madison and team owner Duane Shields would like to thank Muscle Milke, Clean Boost, GRP Rods, NGK Spark Plugs, and Brad Anderson Enterprises for all of their help this season.