NHRA: Herbert looking to turn top fuel hat trick at National Trail
15 June 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
KIRKERSVILLE, Ohio - Doug Herbert is more than ready to return to his drag racing sanctuary.
For the 30-year-old driver from Cherryville, N.C., that place has been in, of all places, central Ohio. Herbert earned his first victory at National Trail Raceway in 1993. Last year, Herbert scored another victory there.
This season he hopes to erase the memories of a less than spectacular first half of the season by scoring a third victory at the at the quarter-mile track located just east of Ohio's capital city of Columbus during the 36th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing, June 15-18. The $1.9 million race is the 11th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
"That's a pretty happy place for me to go back to," said Herbert, a five-time Top Fuel winner on the NHRA circuit. "I'd sure like to be able to pick up where we left off there last year. We had everything figured out and were running pretty good that day."
Indeed. Herbert defeated Jim Head, Kenny Bernstein and Gary Scelzi before topping Bob Vandergriff in the final round. He used a string of consistent 4.60-second runs to claim the event title. His efforts there were part of his best season ever in NHRA drag racing. He scored four victories in six final rounds in 1999 to post a seventh place finish in the Winston point standings.
Herbert, who defeated Bernstein for the victory here in '93, says it takes patience and stamina to do well at National Trail Raceway, one of the most historic tracks on the NHRA schedule. Past Top Fuel winners include Don Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, Don Garlits, Frank Hawley and Gary Beck, among others.
"It's always hot there and the track can be a little slippery at times," he said. "I think the heat just wears guys out. I guess over the years I've gained a lot of experience running on slippery surfaces in some other racing circuits, so I'm not afraid to try some things that others might not."
This season Herbert has been searching for consistency. With crew chief Larry Frazier turning the wrenches, the Snap-on Tools dragster can brag of only two semifinal appearances. There have been five first round losses. Two of the most recent ones - in Dallas and Chicago - were totally uncalled for, Herbert said.
At Dallas he fouled at the start, giving Rhonda Hartman-Smith the easy victory. In Chicago he had the quicker elapsed time, but was edged out at the finish by Doug Kalitta, who posted a near-miracle .429 reaction time to get the victory on a holeshot.
"I had total brain failure in Dallas, and at Chicago Kalitta took a pretty good guess on me, that's all I can say about that one," Herbert said. "We just haven't had any racing luck this year. It seems like it has taken us a pretty good while to get up to speed."
Despite his racing luck, his car's performance at the last two events have given the team a good amount of optimism heading into the second half of the season.
"I think we've found the perfect tune-up for the car, now we just have to make it repeat on a consistent basis," Herbert said. "Eventually, we'll get it to where we want it to be."
He just hopes eventually comes sooner, rather than later.
"We're running out of time on it this year," Herbert said. "If we're going to gain some momentum and get in the points battle we need to start at Columbus. The clock is ticking. Everybody knows we have to get on the ball and get going."
FORCING THE RECORD: John Force established himself as the NHRA's all-time win leader, surpassing Bob Glidden's storied mark of 85 wins with a final round triumph over Jerry Toliver at the recent Prestone Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.
Force, 51, will go for his 87th career victory at National Trail Raceway, a track that he's mastered only two times (1988 and 1990). While Force is looking for No. 87, his talented crew chief, Austin Coil, will be trying for his 94th career win.
Force says his success could not have been attained without the wizardry of Coil, who joined Force in 1984 after tuning Frank Hawley to back-to-back championships in 1982-83 on a limited budget.
"Coil is the best," said Force, who raced for nine years before earning his first win. "Heck, he won two championships without any money. The guy is the real deal. And I mean that, because I don't have to say nice things about him just to keep him around - I pay him enough already."
After winning No. 86, Force presented the trophy to Coil for his years of dedicated service.
"(Getting the record) was great," said the nine-time NHRA Winston champion and driver of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. "I totally tripped out. I felt like a kid again. I haven't felt that good since we beat the dragsters in the Winston Showdown. It was a team deal, not just me. Austin and Bernie (Fedderly, co-crew chief) make this hot rod go, I just try to drive it. Winning (No. 86) at Austin's hometown was great."
Force put together an impressive run to overtake Glidden, logging victories at four consecutive events.
"Now, maybe I can relax a little," Force added.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery
.