Phoenix: Doug Herbert final summary

Herbert goes out early at the CSK Nationals

PHOENIX, post-race: Snap-on Tools Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert was defeated in a close first round race on Sunday at the 22nd annual Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Herbert entered eliminations from the No. 13 qualifying position after three consistent runs, including a 4.63 and a pair of 4.57 elapsed times. 'Dougzilla's first round opponent was Rod Fuller. Herbert and Fuller were the second to last pair to run during the opening round. They left the starting with almost identical reaction times and were running side by side until the Snap-on Tools dragster dropped a cylinder near the 1,000-foot mark and Fuller pulled ahead to take the win by less than half a car length. Herbert made his quickest run of the weekend with a 4.563 at 322.34 mph but Fuller nipped him at the finish line with a 4.542 at 325.53 mph.

"We went out there in the first round and ran close to the number we were looking for," explained Herbert, "but Fuller's car ran good, and we just got beat. We need to pick up about five-hundredth's in elapsed time. We have some things we're working on so we are going to stay and test tomorrow. Because we didn't have an opportunity to test prior to the beginning of the season we're in a situation right now where we just need some more runs to figure everything out."

-dhr