Phoenix: Doug Herbert final summary

Herbert Doesn't Get Expected Results

Pomona, Post race: The Valley of the Sun held no magic for Doug Herbert and the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster. Defending Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher sent Herbert and team home early after the first round of the Checker Schuck's Kragen NHRA Nationals.

Herbert beat the defending champ off the line with a reaction time of .057 to Schumacher's .059, but the Snap-on Tools dragster smoked the tires quickly thereafter.

The weekend was a frustrating one for Herbert and the Snap-on Tools team. After qualifying in the 16th position, crew chief Jim Brissette and the team worked on the issues that plagued the dragster throughout the qualifying session, but the gremlins took hold of the dragster yet again during the elimination round.

"We're frustrated," said Herbert. "We are going to stay in Phoenix and make a few test runs. None of us like going home after the first round, and we're not going to make a habit of it. We know what this car can do, and we are going make sure it does it. There are two weeks before we go to Gainesville, and we'll use the time to make changes and get it right."

-credit: dhr