HERBERT, ASHLEY TAKE TOP SPOTS IN NHRA QUALIFYING IN SONOMA

Source: John Cardinale
Date: 07/28/2007

SONOMA, California - Doug Herbert put an end to a two-year drought by capturing the top qualifying spot in Top Fuel at the 20th annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway on Saturday.

Herbert (Snap-on Tools) covered the quarter-mile drag strip in 4.556 seconds (315.64 mph). He was followed in qualifying by Melanie Troxel (Vietnam Veterans/POW-MIA) at 4.561 (326.63) and Top Fuel points leader Rod Fuller (Peterson Caterpillar) at 4.562 (323.66).

It's was Herbert's fourth-career top-qualifying spot and his first since 2005. He is mired in one of the toughest seasons of his career, as he entered the weekend 13th in points. Herbert is seeking his second win in Sonoma (2002) and the ninth of his career.

"I was excited. Yesterday I had my doubts that it was going to hold up, but it did for today. Everybody's really happy," Herbert said. "Pretty much, we needed to get our deal together today and it looks like we're starting to. We need to make a few good runs tomorrow and we should be in good shape."

Two track records were broken on Saturday in the Sonoma Valley, bringing the total to five for the weekend. The cool temperatures and the track's proximity to sea level have created near-perfect conditions for racing this weekend.

Mike Ashley (Skull Gear/Torco Race Fuels Dodge) topped the charts in Funny Car with a time of 4.743 (326.79). Ashley was followed by Jack Beckman (Mail Terminal Services Dodge), who is looking to sweep the West Coast Swing after winning in both Denver and Seattle (4.759, 324.67). Tommy Johnson Jr. (Skoal Chevrolet) was third-fast at 4.762 (320.97).

"It's exciting to qualify No. 1. It's the fourth time this season and it's a testament to our program," Ashley said. "The main thing is to win the race. In the Countdown (to the Championship), the main thing is the points. You need the points. Today was a good day for us because we kind of used it like a test session. Hopefully we learned what not to do for Sunday."

John Force (Castrol GTX Mustang) qualified 10th, while his daughter, Ashley Force, (Castrol GTX Mustang) was ninth. The two will square off in one of the most anticipated first-round matchups of the day.

Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Pontiac) maintained the top spot in qualifying with a run of 6.605 (208.20). Anderson, a two-time winner at Infineon Raceway in 2004-05, established a new track record for elapsed time at 6.605, bettering the mark of 6.612 he set on Friday night. He is a six-time winner on the circuit this year and has already clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship.

"I'm definitely starting to remember why I like this place so much. It's been good to me in the past, and it's definitely been good to me this weekend," Anderson said. "We needed a good weekend, a get-well weekend. We've got a long way to go, but this is definitely a good confidence builder so far. I'm super proud of the guys. Obviously, this place is exactly what the doctor ordered for me."

Anderson was followed in qualifying by Allen Johnson (Mopar Dodge Stratus), who posted a 6.612 (207.21). Jason Line, Anderson's teammate, was third-fast at 6.613 (208.59). Line's speed set a new track record, eclipsing the mark of 208.07 set by Anderson on Friday night.

Angelle Sampey (U.S. Army) set the pace in Pro Stock Motorcycle with a run of 6.924 (193.40) to take the top spot. It was Sampey's fourth No. 1 qualifying effort of the season and the 43rd of her career. She is seeking her second career victory in the Sonoma Valley and her second victory of the season - she won in Houston in April.

"I love this track. A lot of racers say that about every track they go to, but this really is my favorite one," said Sampey, who is seeking her 42nd career victory. "We have more support from the fans than any track we go to. They have a passion for bikes and we (the riders) can feel it. Even when we are riding down the return road they're yelling for us like we won the race. This is an awesome place."

Andrew Hines, the track-record holder for speed, was second-fast at 6.929 (190.70) aboard his Scream' Eagle Harley-Davidson. Hines is the 2005 winner at Infineon Raceway. Craig Treble, the inaugural Pro Stock Motorcycle winner in the Sonoma Valley in 2002, was third (6.932, 193.68).

Action concludes on Sunday at Infineon Raceway with final eliminations set to begin at noon. As part of the pre-race festivities, Funny Car driver Gary Scelzi, a resident of Fresno, will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame. Scelzi is a two-time winner in Funny Car in the Sonoma Valley (2003, 2005). For ticket information, visit www.infineonraceway.com or call 800-870-RACE.

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