Phoenix: Doug Herbert preview

Doug Herbert looking to go a step beyond Pomona

PHOENIX -- Doug Herbert has already been to a final round, and the season is just one race old. The final round appearance has done more than just place the driver of the Snap-on Tools dragster in second place.

It's created good, old-fashioned positive morale. After all, it took Herbert five races to win three elimination rounds in 2004.

"It felt like it took us half the season to win as many rounds last year as we did at Pomona," Herbert said. "That's a great feeling and that just proves that we have great guys working on this car. We're really seeing the advantages of having (crew chief) Rob Flynn and (tuning consultant) Jim Brissette working together. They're a great pair of minds and I have a feeling it's only going to get better."

This weekend the Snap-on team and the rest of the NHRA POWERade series will make its annual stop at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix. Herbert has not posted a victory at FIR, but that could change with four round victories on Sunday.

"I'm just looking forward to winning," Herbert said. "I go into every race thinking we can win and with this team, it's hard not being anxious to win sooner rather than later. I think we learned enough in Pomona to be ready for Phoenix. Everyone on the team is so pumped and excited. We're just going to keep building the momentum and see what we can do this season."

The fans at Pomona Raceway were witnesses to the quickest and fastest field in Top Fuel history. Will Phoenix be even better?

"I'm not sure what number we are going to have to run this weekend, but it's going to be fast and Pomona proved that," Herbert said. "Our goal is to stay at or near the top of the pack because it's going to be a very competitive season. Every track is different but we're going to see fast times at every track on the schedule."

-gs-