Doug Herbert names new crew chief

Keith Stewart Named Crew Chief of SnaponFranchise.com Dragster

Lincolnton, N.C. (November 4, 2008) -- On Tuesday Doug Herbert Racing announced that Keith Stewart will take the role of crew chief of the SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel dragster beginning with the 2008 World Finals in Pomona.

"Keith and Kevin [Poynter] had been co-crew chiefs on the car all season," said Herbert. "Kevin has other opportunities that he has been actively pursuing and I wish him the best of luck in all his endeavors. Keith has been instrumental in leading the team this season and in making a lot of decisions with the car. I'm confident that he will do a great job in Pomona and throughout 2009."

Stewart, 36, has over a decade of drag racing experience. He worked for Darrell Gwynn Racing for three years and was Crew Chief on the Scott Griffin Motorsports dragster, driven by Andrew Cowin, which won an IHRA National Even in 2006. Prior to joining Doug Herbert Racing at the start of the 2008 season, Stewart spent two years at Kalitta Motorsports where he worked on both Doug Kalitta's Top Fuel dragster and Scott Kalitta's Funny Car.

"I've been asked to take the car and team to race at Pomona and that's exactly what we're focused on right now," said Stewart. These guys have worked hard all year and we want to go to Pomona and finish the season on a strong note."

Scott Gaddy will remain car chief for the team and assistant to Stewart. Herbert is currently eighth in the NHRA POWERade Championship point standings. The Snap-on team is preparing to finish a season that has resulted in one runner-up and four semifinal appearances as well as a National Event win in Norwalk, Ohio.

-credit: dhr