Joliet: Doug Herbert Saturday summary

HERBERT QUALIFIES FIFTH IN CHICAGO

Joliet, Ill. (June 9, 2007) The final qualifying session of the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals came to an end under bright, sunny skies with Doug Herbert, driver of the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster, sitting in the No.5 position.

Herbert's quickest run of the weekend came late Friday evening. After several delays in qualifying action, the second session took place with optimal weather conditions: cool temperatures under a moonlit sky.

Hall of Fame member crew chief Jim Brissette tuned the dragster to match the weather conditions, and Herbert passed through the lights at a stout 4.50 seconds.

With little movement in the field on Saturday, Herbert and the Snap-on team are pleased with their No. 5 qualifying position and look forward to Sunday's final eliminations.

"We've had a good weekend," said Herbert. "We've got a good race car that is running well. We ran strong on Friday and made it down the track Saturday under tough track conditions. It's running how we know it can run.

"Now we'll keep it up tomorrow and be here all day. We've got a great shot at winning, and doing it with all the Snap-on executives and employees in the stands will be great."

Herbert will face Alan Bradshaw in the opening round of eliminations.

-credit: dhr