Tough Quarterfinal Finish Ends Shields' Quest for Indy Win

Indianapolis is the city where racing legends are made and race wins will complete a driver's career. It's no different in NHRA's Top Alcohol Dragster class because a win at the Chevrolet Performance NHRA US Nationals is just as important to each driver and their peers as it is in any other form of racing. Overall, Duane Shields, the driver of the PEAK A/Fuel Dragster had a great weekend performance wise but sadly went down to defeat in a very close race in the quarterfinals.

Duane qualified seventh with a respectable 5.29 at 276 MPH. "We were satisfied with our qualifying position. In fact, I pedaled it in the third round of qualifying and still ran a 5.30 so I know we can compete with anyone out here" Duane said.

In the opening round, Duane took on Mike Bucher. At the hit Duane had a better reaction time and got out on Bucher with an .061 to his .105. Duane never lost the lead and ran his best ET of the weekend, a sizzling 5.23 at 276 MPH to Bucher's 5.33 at 242 MPH.

Moving on to the quarterfinals, Duane was matched up with Megan Meyer. As the lights came down it was Meyer out first with an .048 to Duane's .063. Meyer was able to maintain the lead in a tight race. At the finish line it was Meyer taking the win with a 5.23 at 272 MPH to Duane's 5.29 at 274 MPH. The margin of victory was approximately 29 feet between the two cars. "We wish we would have won the round but we slowed down and she stepped up. The best cars race at Indy and are all running good. We'll go on from Indianapolis and try to win a few more races before the end of the season" Duane said.

Next, the PEAK Team moves on to Epping, NH for a Lucas Oil Regional event on September 6-8. Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK Spark Plugs, GRP Connecting Rods, Brad Anderson Enterprises, Hot Wheels Car Care Products, SRI and Clean Boost for their efforts in supporting Shields Racing.