Indy ORP: Doug Herbert Saturday notes

HERBERT SOLIDLY IN FIELD WITH SUNDAY QUALIFYING YET TO COME

INDIANAPOLIS (September 1, 2007) After three of five qualifying sessions at the 53rd annual U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Doug Herbert, driver of the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster, sits solidly in the field.

The U.S. Nationals varies a bit from other races in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule. As the biggest race of the year, 23 dragsters will attempt to make the 16-car field after five qualifying sessions as opposed to the typical four.

Herbert's fastest pass through the third qualifying session came on Saturday evening. The Snap-on Tools dragster clocked a 4.56 second pass at 315 mph, placing Herbert in the No. 11 position.

"The car is running alright," said Herbert. "We made it down the track on all three passes.

"We ran as good as anybody to half-track, but need more mile per hour on the top end. We will work on it and be ready for tomorrow.

"We have two more chances to move up in the field, and we plan on taking advantage of them. We want to qualify in the top half of the field and get a good start in the Countdown to Four."

-credit: dhr