Sonoma: Doug Herbert final report

Herbert Suffers First-Round Loss in Sonoma

Doug Herbert and the SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel team had an early end to their day on Sunday at the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals from Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Ca.

Round One:

Herbert, the No. 4 qualifier, was matched against No. 13 qualifier Cory McClenathan in the first round of eliminations on Sunday. Unfortunately Herbert had a foul start, leaving the line just .006 seconds too early, and lost the round to McClenathan.

The SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel Dragster then smoked the tires during its 4.322 pass. McClenathan, who had a 3.869 ET at 312.42 mph advanced to the second round.

"I was pushing the tree," said Herbert. "I really wanted to do well today, I felt like it was going to be our day. If you never get a red-light then you're not trying. I didn't feel like I was doing anything different in the car, I guess I just got a little over-anxious."

Herbert remains eighth in the 2008 NHRA POWERade Championship points standings. He is 122 points ahead of ninth-place David Grubnic with three events remaining before the Countdown begins.

-credit: dhr

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