Fri, 18 Mar 2005, 02:17 PM Herbert and Local Columnist Froscher Welcome Marines

Courtesy of Gabrielle Stevenson

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert has teamed with longtime Gainesville Sun columnist Norm Froscher to welcome home some Marine war veterans. Through Froscher's contacts, Herbert will host a group of Central Florida heroes for a "Day at the Races."

Herbert, the 37-year-old owner of Doug Herbert Performance Parts in Charlotte, N.C. and driver of the Snap-on Tools dragster, began a program this year in which he hosts combat-hardened Marines at select events on the NHRA tour. Appreciative groups in Pomona, Calif., and Phoenix have already joined him.

Originally, due to logistical problems, Gainesville wasn't on the list of places where Marines would join Herbert. But when Froscher found out his hometown race would be skipped, he sprung into action and arranged a group on his own. A quick call to Herbert confirmed they'd be welcome in his pit as VIP guests.

"We've had so much interest in this deal it's been great," said Herbert, who is currently fifth in the POWERade points with one runner-up finish to his credit. "We just wanted to create a way to make some of the Marines who have recently been fighting in Operation Iraq Freedom feel welcome when they got home.

"Norm has been writing about the drag races for a long time. More importantly, he has been a member of the Gainesville community for even longer. When he heard we weren't planning on having Marines at this race because there isn't a base close enough to bring some Marines over, he stepped in and offered to assemble a group. Through his connections and friends, he came up with a Gainesville group and we're excited to host them on race weekend."

Remarkably, Herbert's sister Heather Herbert, who is currently serving with the U.S. Army JAG Corp in Baghdad, Iraq, has heard all about her brother's activities. The Marines protecting her area of operation have all made a point of stopping by to meet the sister of the Marine Corps' favorite driver.

"It's amazing how much interest we've generated," Herbert said. "Even Heather has heard about it and she's in one of the most remote places on Earth. The enthusiasm of the Marines we've had at the first two races has really picked up our race team. It's hard not to be gung ho when you're around these dedicated young heroes who put their lives on the line for us every day.

"I'm fired up about Norm putting this group together for us. It's outstanding that other people want to get involved. It shows we're not the only ones who want to make our Marines feel special when they get home."

The special guests that will be joining Herbert and the Snap-on Tools dragster team are Sergeant Garreth Ray, Corporal Mark McFetridge, Lance Corporal Jamie Yakubsin and Sergeant Shane Walker.

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