Seattle: Herbert finals report

KENT, Wash., July 29, 2001 - The story from Seattle International Raceway this weekend was Doug Herbert's 4.595-second run in the quarterfinals against Gary Scelzi. It was Sunday's quickest losing run and the best losing time of Herbert's Top Fuel career.

Scelzi, who went on to win the Northwest Nationals, reached the finish line first with a 4.540 at 319.82 to end Herbert's competitive day.

"We ran what we went up there to run," said Herbert, who was nonetheless pleased with the performance of his Snap-on Racing Top Fuel dragster. "Scelzi's tough. His car ran good. There was nothing to be ashamed of. When you run a (4).59 and lose, you shake his hand and say 'You whipped us.'"

Herbert and crew chief Larry Frazier were pleased with the overall performance of the car. He qualified eighth (4.609 seconds) and had another run at 4.622. He beat Tim Gibson in the first round despite an engine explosion that slowed the car to a 4.732 at 255.48 mph. "A fuel line broke, causing the blower and manifold to blow up," reported Herbert."

He remained seventh in points with 806. His goal is to catch sixth-place Darrell Russell, who has 965.

Herbert will get another chance to cut the margin separating he and Russell during the Fram/Autolite Nationals, Friday through Sunday, at Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma, Calif. It's the final race in the NHRA Winston Series' traditional three-race western swing.

Qualified: No. 9, 4.609 at seconds at 315.56 mph.

First round: Herbert, 4.732 at 255.48 def. Tim Gibson; Quarterfinal: Gary Scelzi, 4.540 at 319.82 def. Herbert, 4.595 at 311.49.

Race winners: Gary Scelzi, Top Fuel; Whit Bazemore, Funny Car; Mark Osborne, Pro Stock

-SOR