Joliet: Doug Herbert finals summary

Herbert advances to semis at Route 66 Raceway.

JOLIET, Ill., June 2, 2002 - Doug Herbert and the Snap-on Racing Top Fuel team enjoyed one of their best outings of the season this weekend at the Chicagoland Dodge Dealers Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.

Crew chief Johnny West improved the car's performance on each run as Herbert drove into the semifinals before losing to Larry Dixon, who went on to win the race for the sixth time in 10 2002 NHRA Powerade Series races.

"We have a tune-up we can take to the next race," said a smiling Herbert after running 4.687 seconds at 313.95 mph against Dixon's 4.594 at 320.13. "We made him beat us; we didn't beat ourselves. Johnny's beginning to get a handle on the tune-up. I'm happy with the way we're running now."

Herbert qualified 10th (4.689 seconds at 316.01 mph) despite losing Friday night's run to a mechanical failure.

Herbert used a starting line advantage, .497-.520, to easily get past Tony Schumacher in Sunday's opening round, 4.822 at 293.09 to 4.826 at 308.78. The Snap-on dragster's tires began spinning as it reached the finish line, but Herbert held on for the win.

There was no suspense in the quarterfinals because Luigi Novelli's car broke and Herbert singled to a 4.713 at 311.49.

Herbert moved up a notch to eighth in points (444), 24 behind seventh place David Grubnic.

The next Snap-on Racing outing is the Pontiac Excitement Nationals, June 12-14, at Kirkersville, Ohio.

Qualified: No. 10, 4.689 seconds at 316.01 mph

First round: Herbert, 4.822 at 293.09 def. Tony Schumacher, 4.826 at 308.78; Quarterfinals: Herbert, 4.713 at 311.49; Semifinals: Larry Dixon, 4.594 at 320.13 def. Herbert, 4.687 at 313.95.

Pro Winners: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Bruce Allen, Pro Stock

-sor-