Muscle Milk Team Extends Performance Hot Streak

Las Vegas - Madison Payne and the Muscle Milk A/Fuel Dragster Team extended their competitive edge by going to another late round, this time at the Las Vegas NHRA Lucas Oil Regional. As has been the case for years, this final regional event of the season is a difficult race to qualify for but Madison got in the show as the fourth seed with a scorching 5.27 at 276 MPH qualifying run.

In the first round of eliminations, Madison and the Shields Racing crew took on the Rich McPhillips Racing A/Fuel entry, the same team that they beat last week with Tony Stewart in the driver's seat. This weekend it was Matt Cummings driving and their combination was just as potent. This race would prove to be another close one with Cummings getting off the starting line first with a .066 to Madison's .098. But it was the Muscle Milk horsepower of Dana Hopewell that made the difference down the stretch and pushed Madison over the finish line first by just ten feet with a 5.20 at 276 MPH over Cumming's close 5.25 at 278 MPH.

In the Semis, Madison was paired up with Shawn Cowie driving a blown alcohol dragster. At the hit, it was Madison out first with a .067 to Cowie's .104 but by 150 feet Cowie took the lead and the finish line stripe with a 5.22 at 277 MPH to Madison's competitive 5.31 at 276 MPH. Car owner Duane Shields explained why the car slowed down compared to the prior round. "The track conditions changed and we missed the tune-up slightly. We knew Cowie would be able to run strong, and we just didn't give it enough. We've had a great last few races, and will try and take our momentum to the final race of the year, where we hope to come home with another win" he said.

Next, the team will continue to be on their "A game" when they move on to the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, California this weekend. Duane and Madison thank their sponsors Muscle Milk, Clean Boost, GRP Connecting Rods, NGK Spark Plug, and Brad Anderson Enterprises.