Dallas: Doug Herbert Saturday notes

Herbert to start 15th in Dallas

Competing at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas, Texas, this weekend, Doug Herbert qualified the SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel dragster in the 15th position at the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals, the second of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

Herbert has had both good and bad luck at the Texas Motorplex. The NHRA veteran holds the track E.T. record for Top Fuel but failed to qualify at this event last year. This weekend has been a rough one for the Snap-on team so far, but they're hoping that will change for tomorrow's elimination rounds.

"We broke the cam shaft and had a major fire in the first run this morning so we had a lot of parts attrition," said Co-Crew Chief Kevin Poynter. "I just have to say 'hats off to this crew' because they're phenomenal. After the first run today they turned the car completely around in 35 minutes. The car went up with all new components and, considering what had taken place, made a good run. I owe a special thanks to my crew."

For Round 1 of eliminations on Sunday, Herbert is paired against the No. 2 qualifier Brandon Bernstein. The drivers have met four times this season. Herbert has come out on top for two of those meetings including his final-round victory at Norwalk. Herbert and Bernstein are separated by only one point in the Top Fuel point standings.

"We had a lot of gremlins this weekend," said Herbert. "We're lucky to be in the show but it's just been a long weekend so far. The crew has been awesome. Going up against Bernstein tomorrow is important. He's the guy we need to beat anyway because he's right there with us in the points. It's going to be a pivotal round for us."

-credit: dhr