Team Al-Anabi Atlanta Wrap-Up

Shawn Langdon – Al- Anabi Racing Top Fuel Dragster (silver)

Qualifying:   Shawn Langdon was the No. 8 qualifier at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals; it was just the second time this season that the reigning NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel champ qualified outside the top-four positions.  During the first qualifying session Saturday afternoon, Langdon posted a 3.786-second effort at 324.44 mph.

Eliminations: After an eight-hour rain delay, final eliminations began shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday.  Langdon and Richie Crampton made up the first pair, and both cars smoked the tires with the Langdon winning the pedal-fest.  Four pairs later, competition was suspended until today when Langdon faced No. 1 qualifier Doug Kalitta.  Langdon was first off the starting line, but Kalitta won the round by three thousandths of a seconds.

Unofficial Point Standings: Langdon remains fourth in the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel point standings.

Langdon on Atlanta: “Everyone dealt with some unfortunate circumstances this weekend with all the rain on Sunday and some decisions that were made.  Things did not work out well for track conditions on Sunday.  They kept trying, but it didn’t work out.   It’s just tough to get the racing surface back after it rains for 12 hours, and yesterday, we were fortunate to get the round win under very difficult conditions.  Today, we made a really good run against Doug but just lost a very close drag race by three thousandths of a second.  With all of the difficult circumstances, I thought the Al-Anabi team did a great job.  We’ll be ready next weekend in Topeka.”

Khalid alBalooshi – Al- Anabi Racing Top Fuel Dragster (gold)

Qualifying:   Khalid alBalooshi was the No. 12 qualifier at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. During the weekend’s first round of qualifying on Friday, alBalooshi recorded a 3.836-second elapsed time at 319.60 mph.  With part of the Friday evening qualifying session was cancelled due to cold temperatures, alBalooshi was one of several drivers that only made three qualifying attempts.

Eliminations: AlBalooshi was among the six drivers that did not run during the portion of eliminations that took place Sunday evening.  Like his teammate yesterday, alBalooshi raced in the first pair of Top Fuel cars on the track today.  AlBalooshi raced Tony Schumacher in their first-round matchup, and Schumacher took the round win 3.781 to 4.069.

Unofficial Point Standings: AlBalooshi drops one spot to sixth place in the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel point standings.

AlBalooshi on Atlanta: “It was a tough weekend for everyone in Atlanta.  Lane choice was very important.  We were not in the best lane today so it was tough for our Al-Anabi team.  We did our best, but it was not good enough to beat Tony because he made a very good run.  This race is over so we are hoping for better things for Al-Anabi Racing and Sheikh Khalid next weekend in Topeka.”