The tears flowed freely as Doug Herbert exited his Top Fuel dragster.

He had finally won one for his boys, his two young sons Jon and James, who died in February in an automobile accident.

Their loving father provided the one tribute he knew would be shared by millions of race fans all over the world.

Herbert delivered a victory during the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, through sheer determination, the hard work of his crew and, as he put it, the good luck provided by his 10-year old daughter Jessica and girlfriend Ginger. The tears flowed freely as Doug Herbert exited his Top Fuel dragster.

He had finally won one for his boys, his two young sons Jon and James, who died in February in an automobile accident.

Their loving father provided the one tribute he knew would be shared by millions of race fans all over the world.

Herbert delivered a victory during the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, through sheer determination, the hard work of his crew and, as he put it, the good luck provided by his 10-year old daughter Jessica and girlfriend Ginger.

“Unbelievable. Emotional day,” Herbert said, keeping his composure in the post-event press conference. “I’m just happy to get the job done. Everybody on the team just did a great job and we went up there for the final I was going to dig down and pull out everything I had and I did and luckily I had my little lucky charm, my daughter, came here with me today.

“We did a lot of thinking about her brothers today and I am sure they were riding with me on that final round.”

Herbert knew the pressure was on his shoulders to deliver the victory for a team that had shared the pain with their inspirational driver. The final round against Brandon Bernstein was going to be the fight of his life.

“I knew that I had to dig down and do everything I could do,” Herbert said. “Bernstein and Tim and Kim and those guys, they’re obviously a very good team. I just wanted to make sure that I did everything I could do to beat them and I think I did. The whole year I have been digging down trying to help my team win.”

Herbert left on Bernstein by a large margin.

“I went up there for the final, I was welded to that light and bam I hit it,” Herbert said. “I didn't want to have a mistake that I made cost us the race. I wanted to win with my daughter here.”

The emotional level was already running high as Herbert raced Dave Grubnic of the Team Kalitta operation, racing in the first event since the tragic death of driver Scott Kalitta. Herbert had expressed to the Kalitta operation his sympathy on many occasions and could relate to their pain.

Herbert has long maintained a friendship with the Australian-native Grubnic and prior to their quarter-final match, they plunked down their traditional $2 bet. One dollar goes to the winner of the race and the other goes to the quicker reaction time.

Herbert scored a clean sweep and showed his grand prize to the media. It was as if the $2 meant more than the $40,000-plus payday he’d just earned.

“We got a pretty big stakes bet going,” Herbert said, smiling. “This is one of the fun things is when you’re racing guys you really like.”

Herbert is a two-time Norwalk winner having won under the IHRA sanction in 1993 and 1998. While Herbert and Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park owner Bill Bader once sailed troubled waters when the latter was president of the sanctioning body, the hard feelings are clearly an issue of days gone by.

“It’s such a family place,” said Herbert of SREMP. “After my boys got in the accident, Bill Sr., was one of the first people to send me a note and it meant a lot to me.”

For Herbert, Sunday in Norwalk marked the time the young crew led by up-and-coming crew chief Kevin Poynter made their mark. Herbert cherishes his role as driver but sound advice from a prominent NASCAR figure reminded him of his responsibility as team owner.

“Fatback McSwain, NASCAR crew chief, told me 'Herbert you're the one on the team with the most experience, don't step on those guys toes but make sure you lead them,” Herbert admitted. “That is what I have been trying to do, give them some suggestions but let them make the final decisions. Kevin and Keith, they made good calls today and got us to the winner's circle.”

Winning the race justifies the decision to remain in the sport following such a painful tragedy.

“This win substantiates and justifies what we're trying to do here,” Herbert said. “I feel like I'm a winner and I want my kids to be proud of me and think of me as winner. Winning this race justifies that.”