Herbert to contest IRL Texas finale

Herbert will get his first look at the high-banked, one and a half mile track today (Thursday) when he tests a Heritage Motorsports G Force-Infiniti car.

This marks the second time Heritage Motorsports and Herbert have teamed up this season. The pair conducted a successful test last month at Kentucky Speedway, where Herbert ran the car at over 214mph. That test was Herbert's first time in an IRL car, and his speed would have qualified him for the front row for the race at that venue.

"I've only accumulated about a day's worth of experience on the oval tracks, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities," said Herbert. "My goal is to get as much experience with a team before going to the Indy 500."

Adding three-time Grand Prix winner Herbert to the team's roster allows Heritage to explore its options for the 2002 season. Herbert will join the team's full time driver, Jeff Ward, on the starting grid at Texas.

Ward, who was born in Scotland, is coming off his best finish this season of fourth in Chicago last week and will also be participating in today's test. His experience of the demanding oval, which has recently been resurfaced, should help Herbert.

The test will be only the third time Herbert has run on an oval.