NORWALK, Ohio — Doug Herbert raced to an emotional top fuel victory Sunday at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, a win he dedicated to the memory of his two young sons who were killed in a highway auto accident in January.
Herbert, who has titled his season campaign “For My Boys,” powered his dragster to a 4.636-second run at 311.70 mph to beat Brandon Bernstein, who posted a 4.611 at 313.58. It was Herbert’s 10th career victory and first of the season.
“It’s such an emotional day and I’m just happy to get the job done,” said Herbert, who beat Troy Buff, David Grubnic and Rod Fuller in earlier rounds. “Going up there (for the final round) I knew I was going to dig down and give it everything I had. I’m going to drive the wheels off that car every run, I guarantee you.”
Tony Pedregon, Greg Anderson and Hector Arana also were winners.
Pedregon drove to his third funny car win of the season and moved to second in the points standings by outrunning top qualifier Robert Hight in the final. Pedregon earned his 39th career victory.
Anderson earned his fourth pro stock win of the season and 55th of his career when local favorite Larry Morgan had a red-light start.
In pro stock motorcycle, Arana won for the first time in his 18-year career by holding off Craig Treble.
