Muscle Milk Team Wraps up Season by Qualifying on the Pole at Auto Club Finals

Muscle Milk Team Wraps up Season by Qualifying on the Pole at Auto Club FinalsThe Muscle Milk Team finished off the 2022 season with another great showing, this time at the NHRA Auto Club Finals in Pomona, CA just outside Los Angeles. Madison Payne went to the semi-finals and she had her first number-one qualifying position.

Madison qualified on the pole with a scorching 5.17 at 281 MPHIn round one, Madison faced Oregon's Mike Austin. Austin was off the starting line first with a .038 to Madison's cautious .082 light. Racing down Pomona's historic quarter mile it was all Muscle Milk as Madison took low ET of the first round with another 5.17 at 280 MPH to Austin's slower 5.59 at 214 MPH.

In round two, Madison raced Jasmine Salinas as the two have quickly become tough competitors by the close of the season. At the hit, it was Salinas out first with a .023 to Madison's competitive .028. At the finish line, it was Madison by a sliver with a 5.284 at 278 MPH to Salinas' close 5.297 at 277 MPH. "We fought off a hard charge by Jasmine Salinas" said car owner Duane Shields

In the semis, Madison took on Taylor Vetter. As the Christmas tree lights came down it was Madison out of the box first was a .074 light to Vetter's .077. It looked like Madison was on the charge for another final-round finish. However, Madison got loose 150 feet out and clicked the car off. Meanwhile, Vetter was on a clean pass and took the win with a 5.24 at over 278 MPH over Madison's 7.30 at 123 MPH. "We missed the tune-up otherwise we would have likely gone to our third national event final in a row" Duane said.

Duane also made a special announcement regarding the next season. "We will return in 2023 with Madison driving the car for the entire year. She did a great job driving this season and we are excited about what the future holds. Additionally, my crew did a good job preparing the car and getting it ready to go down the track " Duane added.

Finally, Duane and Madison would like to thank their sponsors for a great year including Muscle Milk, GRP Connecting Rods, SRI, NGK Spark Plugs, Brad Anderson Enterprises, and Clean Boost.