Muscle Milk Team Makes it to Semi-Final Round at Both Brainerd NHRA Events

The Muscle Milk Team returned to NHRA competition at both the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals and a regional event held one week prior in Brainerd, MN. Madison Payne, driving the Muscle Milk A/Fuel Dragster had respectable outings at the back-to-back events but lost by close margins in the semi-finals both times.
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals

Madison qualified third in a tough sixteen-car field with a 5.20 at 275 MPH. In round one, Madison took on Todd Bruce of Horace, ND. At the hit, Bruce was out first with a .079 to Madison's .115. However, Bruce's 5.35 at 274 MPH was not enough to cover Madison's quicker 5.24 at 275 MPH.

In round two, Madison faced Greg Hunter. As the cars left the line, Madison got a sizable advantage with a .042 reaction time to Hunter's .137. Madison never relinquished the lead and beat Hunter with a 5.30 at 275 MPH holeshot win over Hunter's quicker 5.24 at 272 MPH.

In the semis, Madison raced Jackie Fricke. As the lights came down, it was Madison out first with a .065 to Fricke's .090. It would prove to be another close race to the finish line with Fricke escaping with the win as she ran a stout 5.23 at 276 MPH to Madison's valiant 5.29 at 272 MPH.

Car owner Duane Shields was happy with the team's overall performance in Brainerd. "We ran well for the weekend. The track got a lot better on Sunday, and we struggled. Madison did a great job on the lights and had to pedal on both Sunday runs. We got the round two win, but weren't able to win the Semis. We will be ready to go for the US Nationals in a few weeks.

Lucas Oil NHRA Regional

At the prior weekend's sportsman-only race, Madison qualified on the pole to lead the eight-car field with a fine 5.21 at 276 MPH.

In round one, Madison faced Jim Lamb. At the hit, Lamb was out first, but his lead was short-lived as Madison was able to pass him and grab the win with a 5.33 at 275 MPH to Lamb's 5.54 at 256 MPH.

In the semifinals, it would be a showdown between Madison and number five qualifier Kirk Wolf. At the hit, Madison was out first with a .095 to Wolf's .117. Despite Madison's better reaction time, Wolf snuck around the Muscle Milk car and took a very close win with a 5.33 at 266 MPH to Madison's 5.48 at 264 MPH.

Even though she lost a close one in the semis, Madison was happy with the results. "We really stepped up, and the car is consistently going down the track. I'm happy with everything and looking forward to the remaining races through the rest of the season" she said.

Next up is the biggest race of the year, the NHRA US Nationals in Indianapolis on Labor Day Weekend. Madison and Duane would like to thank Muscle Milk, NGK Spark Plugs, GRP Connecting Rods, Clean Boost, and Brad Anderson Enterprise for their support of the 2025 season.