InsideTopAlcohol

InsideTopAlcohol

CHICAGO (July 9) -- Running two big events in the same weekend seemed to suit Mia Tedesco just fine as the reigning Super Gas world champion starred in her "other" ride, the CARS Vehicle Service Contracts/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol dragster, with a runner-up result in the 33rd annual JEGS Allstars race and a semifinal finish in the 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route
66 Nationals.

"I'm always really excited when we have weekends like this," Tedesco said. "Some of the divisional races have two events in one so you get used to running a bunch of rounds, especially when you're running more than one car. I love it because I love to race so the more seat time I can get, the happier I am.

"This whole weekend was a very good one for us. We went rounds in the alcohol car and learned a lot. Making it to the JEGS Allstars is an accomplishment in itself but to make it to the finals was very humbling. On top of that, to turn around and have a semifinal finish today in the regular national event was a huge confidence booster."

One of the select qualifiers for the elite JEGS Allstars race, which was contested Saturday, Tedesco opened elimination action with a win over Dean Dubbin, 5.286 at 278.00 mph to a dead-late Dubbin's 8.466 at 97.55. She then beat a red-lighting Megan Meyer with 5.429 at 269.13 mph to earn a final-round date with Joey Severance.

After nearly identical reaction times, Severance was able to inch away and take the Allstar trophy with a 5.258 at 267.75 mph to Tedesco's game but trailing 5.342 at 268.01 mph.

"We've been working out some kinks in the dragster so to make it to the JEGS Allstars final made us pretty happy," Tedesco said. "You know when you go up against Joey, a guy who has won two world championships in a row, that he'll be ready. He doesn't make mistakes and we knew that so we put together the best run we could. We fell a little short but we were happy to be there and make him
earn it."

Riding the momentum of her...
Chicago - Duane Shields in the PEAK A/Fuel Dragster had a respectable weekend in Chicago at the 20th annual Children of Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by K&N. Chicago is one of the big races on the tour and Duane wanted to pull out all the stops for his title sponsor Old World Industries which is headquartered in the Windy City. Duane qualified in the top half of the field in the no. 7 position. On the final qualifying run the car shook so hard that it broke the fuel pump drive. Other than that, the car ran well throughout the event.

In the opening round of eliminations the PEAK team took on Justin Ashley. As the lights came down, Ashley got off the line first but Duane was on a great run and stopped the clock with a blistering 5.29 at 276 MPH to take the win over Ashley’s 6.07 at 252 MPH.

In the quarterfinals, Duane faced Mia Tedesco who beat Kris Krabil in round one. At the hit, Tedesco had a slight edge at the starting line and was able to maintain her lead the entire quarter mile distance. In a squeaker, Tedesco got to the finish line first with a 5.30 at 280 MPH over Duane’s close 5.39 at 274 MPH. “We made a lot of progress this weekend we just didn’t get the win this time around. But it was great to race once again in front of PEAK's home town” Duane said.

Duane wanted to take a moment to congratulate fellow PEAK driver Dan Fletcher on his one hundredth national event win this weekend. Next, the PEAK team heads to New England Dragway for the Lucas Oil Regional, July 21-23. As always, Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises.
Duane Shields in the PEAK A/Fuel Dragster made it to the semifinal round at a rain plagued NHRA Lucas Oil Regional event contested at Lebanon Valley Speedway in upstate New York. Duane qualified fifth in the tough eight car field with a 5.58 at 262 MPH. “On the second qualifier, I went out a ways and then spun the tires. I’m not sure if the track was wet or what. It rained after our run so the field was set” Duane said.

On Saturday with the rain threat still hanging around, Duane faced east coast regular Dan Page in round one of eliminations. Duane won the race by a wide margin with a 5.38 at 266 MPH to Page's 5.87 at 193 MPH. Duane then advanced to the semifinal round where he met up with Josh Hart. Unfortunately, Duane shook and had to pedal the car resulting in a loss. Duane posted a 5.51 at 266 MPH to Hart’s winning 5.40 at 265 MPH. “I was hoping to get past the tricky spot on the track. Unfortunately I didn’t. Duane said

Duane is looking forward to the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, his next event. “Chicago is next weekend and we are excited to race in our sponsor’s home town. Go PEAK!” Duane would like to thank PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises.