Shields Gets Back into the 5.20 Zone in Phoenix

Shields Gets Back into the 5.20 Zone in Phoenix

Duane Shields’ 2011 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series debut at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix didn’t go as planned but if anything the race served as a good warm up for the NHRA Winternationals as Shields dipped back into the 5.20 zone in qualifying.

Shields started the weekend off with a fine 5.33 at 266 MPH to qualify third on Friday but the weather began to deteriorate which ultimately postponed the one remaining qualifying session and eliminations until Monday. “The weather was miserable and kept us here an extra day. As soon as they would cancel racing for the day it would clear up” Shields said. On Monday, the weather improved and the Top Alcohol Dragster class was awarded a final qualifying session. Shields made the most of the final session and moved up to second with a 5.29 at 274 MPH.

In the first round, Shields took on James Butler who qualified seventh with a 5.90. At the light, Butler got out of the gate first with an 0.111 to Shields’ 0.130. As luck would have it, Shields broke a lifter stand at .39 seconds into the run. Meanwhile, Butler had a little trouble of his own as an object flew off his car but it wasn’t enough to slow him down as he took the win with a 5.54 at 255 MPH. In a valiant try, Shields recorded 5.68 at 253 MPH but it wasn’t enough to chase Butler down to grab the win.

Even with the dreaded first round loss, Shields was optimistic “we’re encouraged as the car is running well again and we were excited going into the first round hoping that the car would run as good as it did in qualifying since we didn’t change anything from our last pass when it ran the 5.29. It was just bad luck that we lost a rocker stand. Hopefully the weather will be better in Pomona and the car will continue to run well there” Shields said.

Shields would like to welcome back and thank his two long time sponsors: Hussey Copper and NGK Spark Plugs for their continued support in 2011.