Shields Earns JEGS Allstar Spot at Gainesville

Shields Earns JEGS Allstar Spot at Gainesville

Even with the 2012 NHRA drag racing season in full swing it’s still winter as rain greeted the opening Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series regional event in Gainesville, Florida. The unpredictable weather took its toll on the event schedule but the rain let up in time to get the race underway. This event was important for Duane Shields and the Shortline Express team to qualify at since an invitation to the JEGS Allstar race could be clinched providing they were able to get their A/Fuel Dragster in the tough eight car field.

In the first qualifying session, Duane qualified in the fifth position with a 5.46 at 257 MPH. In the second and final qualifying round, Duane stayed in the fifth position even though he improved with a quicker 5.37 at 270 MPH. In round one, Duane met up with Florida’s Sidnei Frigo. At the hit, Duane lost traction right away and the race was over just as quickly as it began. The car smoked the tires and Frigo was long gone.

It was a difficult loss for the Nevada based team but they came away with a lock on the JEGS Allstar race in Chicago. Also, they found a few clues as to why the car has not been performing to its full potential. “The beginning of the year has been a challenge to win a round. It makes last year great to think of. But we have figured a couple issues out and we’ll get those fixed in time for the Gatornationals. Plus, we locked up the Division 2 Allstar spot” Duane Shields said.

The team will now regroup and fix the problems identified before returning to Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals, March 8-11. Duane would like to thank his sponsors GRP Connecting Rods, Molinari Race Products and NGK Spark Plugs for their support.