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RICHMOND, VA, post-race: Doug Herbert made it very clear going into the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals that he was already testing for next season. Unfortunately, Herbert was unable to advance past the first round on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park .
Herbert began eliminations from the No. 14 qualifying position after posting a 4.642 at 305.70 mph. "Dougzilla's" first round opponent was Rod Fuller, the fourth time the pair has met during eliminations this season and the second time in the last two races.
Sunday's weather for the final day of the Torco Nationals was spectacular, with cool temperatures, plenty of sunshine and no threat of precipitation. Herbert and Fuller were the sixth pair of dragsters to roll to the starting line. At the flash of green, Herbert had a big advantage with a .077 to .129 reaction time, but the Snap-on Tools dragster smoked the tires almost immediately and Fuller drove by him for the win with a 4.582 at 310.05 mph. Herbert coasted to the finish line with a 12.452 at 77.97 mph. Herbert was in the right lane, which produced only one winner in the first round of Top Fuel.
"It's always disappointing to suffer a first round loss," said Herbert. "I had him off the starting line and it would have been nice to be able to get down the track and give Fuller a race. We're running in testing mode the rest of this year to try and create a solid baseline for next season. We're working on some new parts and with some new people to make sure next year we're a top runner."
Herbert goes out early in Richmond, will continue testing as the NHRA tour heads West
RICHMOND, VA, post-race: Doug Herbert made it very clear going into the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals that he was already testing for next season. Unfortunately, Herbert was unable to advance past the first round on Sunday at Virginia Motorsports Park .
Herbert began eliminations from the No. 14 qualifying position after posting a 4.642 at 305.70 mph. "Dougzilla's" first round opponent was Rod Fuller, the fourth time the pair has met during eliminations this season and the second time in the last two races.
Sunday's weather for the final day of the Torco Nationals was spectacular, with cool temperatures, plenty of sunshine and no threat of precipitation. Herbert and Fuller were the sixth pair of dragsters to roll to the starting line. At the flash of green, Herbert had a big advantage with a .077 to .129 reaction time, but the Snap-on Tools dragster smoked the tires almost immediately and Fuller drove by him for the win with a 4.582 at 310.05 mph. Herbert coasted to the finish line with a 12.452 at 77.97 mph. Herbert was in the right lane, which produced only one winner in the first round of Top Fuel.
"It's always disappointing to suffer a first round loss," said Herbert. "I had him off the starting line and it would have been nice to be able to get down the track and give Fuller a race. We're running in testing mode the rest of this year to try and create a solid baseline for next season. We're working on some new parts and with some new people to make sure next year we're a top runner."
