NHRA drag racer's sons die in car crash

Two young sons of NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert died in a car crash this morning in Lake Norman, N.C.
Herbert was at Firebird International Raceway testing near Phoenix when the fatal crash happened. His sons were driving a Mazda3 when, according to reports by other newspapers and web site, it hit a Hummer head on. Herbert's sons, Jon, 17, and James, 12, were killed instantly, according to a statement released by the team.
The statement also said that Doug Herbert was devestated by the news and has headed home to North Carolina to be with his family.
Condolences can be sent to Raymer Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078. In lieu of flowers, Herbert asks that people make a donation to the Speedway Children's Charities in Jon and James Herbert's name.
Doug Herbert was at Firebird International Raceway preparing for the NHRA season opener at Pomona Feb. 7-10.
He said he was optimistic about starting the new season and looking forward to the preseason test.
“I can’t begin to explain how pumped we are,” Herbert said Thursday in a release. “The team has worked incredibly hard to get everything ready. They built a brand new race car over the winter and now we are ready to race.”
Herbert finished sixth in last year's NHRA Top Fuel standings, his best career finish in the Top Fuel division.
“Our season ended up being pretty good, but we are hungry for more,” said Herbert.
According to a release from the team, details about a memorial service for his sons were forthcoming.