Shields Uses Vegas Race for Testing

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Las Vegas - With no more points to claim and new knowledge to be gained, the Shortline Express team used the final divisional event of the 2011 season as a chance to do some testing at their home track in Las Vegas. "We never get the chance to test thoughout the year so we decided to try some different ideas on every pass since we couldn't claim points at this race anyway," Duane explained.

Even in test mode the Shortline Express team qualified for the tough eight car field. Over fifteen cars tried to qualify and some of the best teams in the class didn't make the show. Duane qualified seventh with a 5.40 at 257 MPH. "It was a real challenge. I'm just glad we qualified because this was not an easy field to get into" he said.

Ironically, in round one Duane faced the only man who can stop him from winning the Championship in Pomona: Joey Severance. If Severance can win the race in Pomona he will pass Duane in the points chase and win the Championship. Both racers are out of divisional events they can claim so this weekend's festivities are a warm up for the big showdown for the Championship at the Auto Club Finals in less than a week.

At the light, Shields was out of the gate first with an 0.062 to Severance's close 0.064. Once off the starting line, Shields began to suffer some brutal shake 100 feet out. He peddled it but was unable to recover. He then peddled it a second time but to no avail as Severance's lead was insurmountable so Duane wisely abandoned the run. "Obviously I would have liked to have won. The air was great and the conditions were favorable to both cars" Shields said.

Duane then revealed his plans for Pomona. "We'll be ready for Pomona. We are going back to the tune up that got us to where we are now in the points. Our plan is to win the race so we will win the Championship. But we'll have to see how it all plays out. It's going to be an exciting week and a lot of fun" Shields said.

As always, the Shortline Express team would like to thank Hussey Copper and NGK Spark Plugs.