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Ed McCulloch

Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert hired Ed "the Ace" McCulloch over the weekend as crew chief of his Snap-on Tools Top Fuel dragster. A disappointing ninth-place finish in the POWERade points precipitated the move for the popular pro from Cherryville, N.C.

"We need to get something done," Herbert said. "We owe it to Snap-on Tools and we owe it to ourselves. We're all spending a lot of money and not seeing the results we want to see, so it was time to mix it up a little.

"Ace and I have been friends for a long time. In fact, his birthday is Feb. 2, which is the same as my oldest son John, so we're always kidding him on his birthday every year. He was also the guy opposite me in 1992 when I ran what was then the quickest E.T. of all time, a 4.88, in Pomona. Now we can set records together.

"We've been talking quite a bit since Pomona and I get the feeling we're on the same page. We certainly have the same attitude and will to win. He's won a lot of races over the years and he really wants to go one step further and win the championship, which is exactly what we aim to do."

McCulloch has 28 NHRA national event wins to his credit, 22 as a driver in both Funny Car and Top Fuel, and six as a tuner. He most recently worked for multiple-car team owner Don "the Snake" Prudhomme on the Funny Cars of Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr. His last win came at the Phoenix event in 2003. Towards the end of the season, McCulloch helped Bob Gilbertson as a consultant.

"It's certainly a very welcome change for me to go from Funny Cars to dragsters," said McCulloch, who last tuned a dragster four years ago, "and I am really excited to be going to a single-car team. It will be good to focus on just one car."

Herbert will retain crew chief Ron Douglas and consultant Jim Brissette.

"I know everybody wants instant success whenever someone new comes on board," McCulloch said. "But Doug and I agree that one of the most important things we must do is concentrate on winning rounds. When you win rounds, then you win races, and when you win races, then you can win championships.

"I'm also looking forward to working with Ron Douglas. He's going to be a key part of our team."

Herbert is a four-time IHRA champion with seven victories on the NHRA tour.

"Ed's already been by the shop for a visit and he's excited," Herbert said. "The guys all welcomed him and his experience and everyone is ready to get after it."

This story is copyright 2003 National Hot Rod Association. It may not be reprinted or retransmitted in any form without the express written permission of NHRA.com.