Gainesville: Bernstein beats Herbert

GAINESVILLE, Fla., April 21, 2001 - Traction problems and Kenny Bernstein ended Doug Herbert's Saturday as the rain-delayed Gatornationals were completed at Gainesville Raceway.

Bernstein's 4.636-second run was the quickest of the round and tied for best of eliminations while Herbert's Snap-on Racing Top Fuel dragster spun the tires and he slowed to a 6.130 at 138.02 mph.

"He ran low e.t. of the round. How do you beat that?" Herbert asked. "We did make some changes to the combination, trying to get a hot track combination, and we noticed some improvements. We're going to keep working on it because we know we're going to need it. The weather is getting warmer."

Herbert is eighth in points with 231 points.

Herbert and crew chief Larry Frazier will continue searching for the hot-track tune-up Friday through Sunday during the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol, Tenn.

Qualified: No. 12, 4.714 seconds at 282.72 mph.

First round: Kenny Bernstein def. Herbert

Race winners: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; John Force, Funny Car; Jeg Coughlin Jr., Pro Stock.

-jlsherk