Shields Looks for Redemption in Pomona While Staying in Test Mode

Courtesy of Rich Bailey

Pomona CA - Duane Shields and his PEAK Motor Oil racing team will be looking for some redemption at the NHRA Auto Club Finals after a pair of disappointing outings in Las Vegas where the car did not qualify. "They were tight fields and even some of the national contenders did not qualify" Duane Said. Unlike Vegas, Pomona has been kind to Duane so it’s more than likely he will bounce back at the season ending race.

The famous track which is the home of both the Winternationals and the Auto Club Finals is where Duane sewed up the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Championship last year in a season ending thriller that went down to the wire.  Also, Duane is a two time NHRA Winternationals Champion, winning the event in 2011 and in 2006. 

Duane is confident of another respectable finish at the Auto Club Finals “We plan to go into Pomona and end the season on a high note. We have had lots of good luck in Pomona but the Finals is one of the only major events I have yet to win” said Duane, who scored a runner up finish at the Finals in 2007.

Duane also plans to continue to test a new engine combination so he can be ready in advance of the 2013 season “Right now we are in test mode. We installed a new engine right after the Las Vegas nationals and tested it this past weekend at the divisional. It’s a sensitive combination because it has a lot of power but it can also cause the car to smoke the tires. We are still learning the tune up and will continue to test in Pomona. I might as well get ready for next year since there will not be much movement in the points standings. Some times you have to go backward to go forward” Duane admitted. 

The Las Vegas divisional event was still very fulfilling for Duane and his wife Betsy, as their daughter Whitney had a great performance in the Super Comp class.  Whitney advanced all the way to the third round where she unfortunately red lit against National Champion Steve Williams in the K&N car.  “Whitney did a great job driving this weekend we are real proud of her” Duane said.

Duane would like to thank his sponsors: PEAK Motor Oil, PEAK Antifreeze, Herculiner Truck Bed Liners, Blue DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid and FINAL Charge Heavy Duty Truck Antifreeze, GRP Connecting Rods, NGK Spark Plugs, Molinari Race Products, Sierra Ice and Shortline Markets for their support.

TAN