Bristol: Doug Herbert final report

HERBERT EXITS AFTER FIRST ROUND

Bristol, Tenn. (July 8, 2007) The O'Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals came to an end for Doug Herbert and the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel team after the opening round of racing action.

After qualifying in the No. 6 position, Herbert faced Cory McClenathan in the first round of eliminations. A side by side race for almost the entire quarter-mile, the Snap-on Tools dragster suffered a parts failure around the thousand foot mark. Herbert's time of 4.76 seconds at 262 mph fell just short of McClenathan's 4.62 at 316 mph.

"A parts failure kept us from winning," said Herbert. "We have the best parts money can buy, but sometimes that just doesn't matter. Stuff happens.

"We are definitely disappointed. We had a good car, and felt like we could go rounds today. We wanted to win.

"We'll pack up, head to Denver, and get ready to do it all over again next week. Only next week we plan staying at the track all day Sunday."

-credit: dougherbert.com