Shields Wins Atlanta Division 2 Event

Shields Wins Atlanta Division 2 Event

Atlanta - Duane Shields and the Shortline Express team won the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta Dragway in front of a good crowd. Shields qualified on the pole with a 5.49 at 264 MPH to top the six car field. “It was a high anxiety weekend because the weather was hot which makes the track tricky and we hadn't clinched the JEGS All Star race yet so we had to do well” Shields remarked.

In the first round, Shields took on number six qualifier Don Fiorelli of Palm Bay, Florida. At the hit, Fiorelli got off the line first with a 0.103 to Shields’ close 0.107. But that would be the end of Fiorelli’s slight advantage as Shields stormed by Fiorelli to take the win with a 5.65 at 262 MPH to Fiorelli’s 6.26 at 187 MPH. For Shields, the win officially clinched his team a spot in the JEGS All Star Race. "We had smoked the tires in the second qualifying round so we were a little too conservative on our tune up. But it was a relief to have won the first round and finally clinch a spot in the All Star race since Alvin Moeser was still in the hunt coming into this event” said Shields.

In the semifinals, Shields got a well deserved bye run. Shields recorded a 5.48 at 267 MPH to advance to the final round. “We were happy with the run but we barely got away with it” Shields said.

By the time the final round was contested the track temperature was up to 145 degrees. The final round would pair Shields up with Rich McPhillips who had improved his performance on every round. “Since McPhillips was running quicker every round, we couldn't afford to back our car down” Shields said. When the light turned green, McPhillips got off of the line first with a 0.035 reaction time to Shields’ 0.106. At the stripe it was Shields taking the win with a 5.60 at 264 MPH. McPhillips recorded a 5.72 at 248 MPH in a losing effort. “It shook the tires and I had to pedal it but we got the win” said Shields.

This was a key win for Shields who is now tied with Moeser for first place in the Southeast Division's Top Alcohol Dragster class. “We missed the first two races so this was an important win if we want to defend our Division 2 Championship“ Shields confirmed. The Shortline Express team would like to thank sponsors Hussey Copper and NGK Spark Plugs for their continued support.