Brainerd Herbert reaches quarters

BRAINERD, Minn., Aug. 20, 2000 - Even after losing a disappointing quarterfinal round run to Andrew Cowin in the Colonel's Nationals Sunday, Doug Herbert still mustered a grin. "Well, we're making progress," he said.

Yes, his Snap-on Racing Top Fuel team did. During the weekend at Brainerd International Raceway, Herbert ran his third-best time of the year (4.661 seconds) to qualify fourth overall - equaling his best of 2000. And he defeated Luigi Novelli in the opening round.

"Not only did we run better than we have in a while, but we didn't hurt many parts all weekend," added Herbert, who was extremely hard on parts in the last few races. "We know we're going in the right direction on the tune-up."

Herbert did his best to send Cowin home, leaving with a .485 reaction time to a .534, and leading until half-track. That's when the engine dropped a cylinder and pushed out a head gasket. Then the blower belt came off and all Herbert could do was watch. He finished with a 5.025 at 226.16 to Cowin's 4.859 at 278.63.

"We had him beat. We probably still would've beat him if the blower belt hadn't come off," lamented Herbert.

Herbert remained ninth in NHRA Winston Series standings with 626 points.

The next event, the U.S. Nationals, unfolds at Indianapolis Raceway Park Sept. 1-4.

Qualified: No. 4, 4.661 seconds at 297.35 mph

First round: Herbert, 4.783 at 315.86 def. Luigi Novelli; Quarterfinals: Andrew Cowin def. Herbert.

Pro Winners:

Top Fuel - Tony Schumacher
Funny Car - John Force
Pro Stock - Kurt Johnson

Next Event: U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, Sept. 1-4.