Championship Drag Racing

Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Norwalk, Ohio
(June 26-29)

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Driver Profile

Doug Herbert Doug Herbert Performance/B.R.A.K.E.S. dragster

Norwalk, pre-race: Less than a week after losing friend Scott Kalitta in a terrible qualifying crash, Doug Herbert, owner and driver of the SnaponFranchise.com Top Fuel dragster, will climb into the cockpit of his 8,000 horsepower hot rod with a heavy heart.

This weekend marks the second running of the NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, and this time the race will be contested without one of the sports great heroes.

“Scott was a good friend,” said Herbert. “My boys loved him, and he was always really good to them. No one can understand exactly what Connie and the rest of the family is going through, but I probably understand a little better than most.”

Herbert’s boys, Jon and James, lost their lives in a tragic automobile accident just a few short months ago. Since then, Herbert’s time has been dedicated to educating teens on how to drive responsible through his BRAKES foundation – Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe.

“We are really making progress with BRAKES,” said Herbert. “We are about to relaunch our website with a new look and additional information. Plans are in the works for our first driving school to take place this fall in the Charlotte area. Things are picking up momentum and we are excited about that.”

In addition to the BRAKES program, Herbert has been spending as much time as possible with his daughter, Jessie. With school now out of session, this weekend’s race in Norwalk marks the first opportunity Jessie has had to come to a race with her Dad.

“The SnaponFranchise.com car has been running pretty well,” said Herbert. “It just seems like something little always keeps us from making it to the next level.

“We were set to have a great run last Friday night during qualifying, then we had a problem where the throttle cable broke. We have had enough of stuff like that, and we figure it’s time the SnaponFranchise.com had some good luck come our way.

“We have been successful at this track in the past. I raced here every year from ’91 to ’98, and brought home the trophy in ’93 and ’98.

“We know having Jessie around will bring us luck, and having her celebrate with us in winner’s circle for her big brothers and our friend Scott would be great.”

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