Phoenix: Duane Shields Friday notes

CHANDLER, Ariz. - After the first day of qualifying, Federal Mogul Dragster team owner and driver Duane Shields currently sits in the No. 6 spot with a best elapsed time of 5.463 at 257.87 mph at this weekend's Checker's-Schuck's-Kraegen Nationals at Firebird Raceway, just outside of Phoenix.

The Las Vegas based team hurt a motor on the first pass, only running a 5.829 at 224.28 mph. Then in the second session, Shields regained his usual performance with the 5.46. With one qualifying session remaining, Shields feels he can step up in the field.

"We broke a couple of valve adjusters the first run," said Shields. "The track temperature was so cold that was skating around and broke a blower belt. That ended up saving us from hurting our motor any more, since it killed the motor then. We put another motor in for the second session and ran the .46. We were real happy with that. It's a real tight field here. It looks pretty optimistic for tomorrow."

After dipping into the 5.30's in Pomona two weeks ago, Shields feels if the conditions are right, the Short Line Express team may be able to run a high 5.30 or low 5.40.

"We would like to run a low 5.40," commented Shields. "We want to step it up just a little bit and stay consistent. We would like to move up in the order a little bit, since the field is so tight now. If the middle of the track would come around a little bit, there's the possibility of running a .30, but it would take a near perfect run."

The final qualifying session for the Federal Mogul Dragsters will be at 10 a.m. First round of eliminations will be a 12:30 p.m.

-Team Short Line Express-