Phoenix: Doug Herbert final report

Herbert Exits Early, Plans to Test

CHANDLER, Ariz. (February 24, 2008) Doug Herbert, owner and driver of the SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel dragster, exited early at the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals.

Rain on Friday forced NHRA officials to cancel all qualifying sessions, leaving teams only two attempts on Saturday to make the field. After those two passes were complete, Herbert and the Snap-on team sat in the No. 12 position.

Herbert pulled up beside Antron Brown in the opening round of eliminations. Quick off the line (.085 of a second to Brown's .105), Herbert and the SnaponFranchise.com made a strong pass down the quarter-mile, clocking a 4.59 at 323.27, just .06 of a second and less than a car length behind Brown.

"Not having those two runs on Friday really hurt us," said Herbert. "It puts the pressure on everyone, but we are in a little bit of a different situation.

"The good news is the car is making it consistently down the track without tearing anything up. Now we need to keep working to make it faster.

"We didn't get to test as much as everyone else, and it shows. We are getting better, we just need more passes and more information. The team and I are going to stay here in Phoenix and test tomorrow.

"All of us want to win. We don't want to spend this season going out in the first round. We are in a bit of learning curve, but I have faith in these guys and I know we will get it figured out. This entire team takes loosing really hard and it's just not acceptable for any of us. My boys are up there watching, and we want to make them proud."

-credit: dhr