Memphis: Doug Herbert final race report

HERBERT CONTINUES MARCH TOWARD CHAMPIONSHIP

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (September 16, 2007) Doug Herbert, driver of the Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster, continued his march toward the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship today with his fourth final around appearance of the season at the 20th annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals.

After qualifying in the No. 5 position, Herbert faced an opposing tool company driver, Doug Kalitta, in the first round of eliminations. Both tool cars smoked the tires, but Herbert recovered first, putting the Snap-on Tools rail into the quarterfinal round.

The other tool car, this one piloted by Whit Bazemore, lined up beside Herbert for the right to move into the semifinals. First off the line with a quick reaction time (.079 of a second to Bazemore's .086), Herbert sent the other tool car home with his solid 4.63 second pass at 316.01 to Bazemore's 4.90 second pass at 265. 33 mph.

Herbert squared off against Doug Foley in the semifinal round. Herbert was again quick off the line (.082 of a second to .102), and Foley quickly ran into trouble, crossing the centerline behind Herbert. The Snap-on Tools dragster took with win light with another slightly troubled run, this time a 4.75 second pass at 294.37 mph.

Herbert, now the only car in the field left in the Countdown to Four, faced Melanie Troxel in the final round. Ahead of Troxel through the 330-foot mark, the Snap-on dragster raised the front wheels and made a move toward the center line, forcing Herbert to back pedal in order to regain steering ability and put the 8,000 horsepower dragster down the track. The split second back pedal took just enough time to allow Troxel to take the win, a 4.72 second run at 313.22 mph to Herbert's 4.90 at 290.51 mph.

Coming into the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals, Herbert sat in the No. 7 position, and with today's final round performance has made yet another dramatic leap in the Countdown to Four. Now in the No. 5 position, a mere 43 points outside the all important No. 4 spot, Herbert and the Snap-on Tools team are primed and ready to continue their championship quest.

"We had a car that was good in qualifying and good on race day," said Herbert. "Our goal coming into this race was to go rounds and do our best to win. We did just that, not to mention we beat both the other tool company cars on our way to the final.

"We definitely didn't want to loose, but we did gain points on everyone in the Countdown. We are No. 5 now and only about two rounds out of the No. 4 spot, and have two races left to make it happen and get in the Countdown to One.

"We've been the ones doing the chasing all year, and so far we have had pretty good luck. I've said it before, and the only time its important to lead the points is after the final round at Pomona. Right now our main goal is to get in the top four, and that is what we are going to do."

-credit: dhm