Pomona, California, Feb 11th 2012 – Every February since 1961, fans have flocked to Southern California for one of drag racing’s grandest traditions: the unveiling of new cars, drivers, teams, and sponsorships at the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series opener, where teams hope to use the season kickoff as a springboard in their pursuit of a spot in the Countdown to the Championship at the fabled Pomona facility known for its outstanding traction, smooth surface, and record performances.

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

Qualifying:   Khalid Al Balooshi was the No. 7 qualifier in his Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel debut.  Al Balooshi recorded a 3.838-second pass at 321.42 mph in Saturday’s qualifying session. In the Eliminations the Al-Anabi gold Top Fuel dragster suffered an engine malfunction as soon as Al Balooshi hit the throttle, and he was eliminated in the first round.  The elapsed time was 3.917 seconds at 310.55 mph, but it was not quick enough to beat Clay Millican’s 3.810-second pass.

Al Balooshi now leavesPomonain eighth place in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel point standings.  He trails his teammate, Shawn Langdon and Brandon Bernstein who are tied for sixth place by 20 points and leads ninth-place Doug Kalitta by two points.

Al Balooshi – “The first thing, I thank my God that I finish the race, and I am safe. We can’t do anything about the way the first Top Fuel race ended. But that’s how the race can go; you can lose any time in any round.

Nobody did anything wrong; engines break, and we are disappointed but we are not mad at all. Everybody on our Al-Anabi Team did a great job, and I know we will all get better and better.

I talked to Sheikh Khalid earlier before the race, and he told me not to worry about anything; it will get better and better. I thank Sheikh Khalid for giving me this Top Fuel opportunity.”

 

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

Qualifying:   Shawn Langdon was the No. 8 qualifier in his first race with the Al-Anabi Racing Team.  During Saturday’s lone qualifying session, Langdon recorded a 3.841-second pass at 318.84 mph.  Qualifying was reduced to three rounds because yesterday’s final round of qualifying was cancelled due to rain.

Eliminations: Langdon defeated Steve Torrance before losing to Morgan Lucas in the second round of eliminations. Langdon’s losing 3.791-second pass was his best of the weekend. Ironically, Langdon defeated Steve Torrance on a “hole-shot” by leaving the starting line first, but in the second round, Langdon lost as Lucas left the starting line first.

Unofficial Point Standings: Langdon leavesPomonatied with Brandon Bernstein for sixth place in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel point standings.  He and Bernstein trail Bob Vandergriff  by three points and lead eighth place Khalid Al Balooshi by 20 points after the first of 23 races this season.

Langdon: “Unfortunately, to lose on a hole shot is probably the worst-case scenario for a driver, especially coming over to a new team.  But fortunately, all of the Al-Anabi guys are good, and they told me they understand, we have 22 more races this year, we’re not worried about it, and we have your back.  That was great for me to help keep my confidence level up. Winning on a hole-shot in the first round was great; it built up a little Al-Anabi team moral and showed that I can do it, but then going back out and losing on a hole-shot wasn’t what I wanted to do.  Either way, it was a great job by the Al-Anabi team from Alan(Team manager Alan Johnson) and Brian(crew chief Brian Husen)  all the way through everyone on the crew in getting the car to respond the way that wanted.  The Al-Anabi team will be ready to go next weekend in Phoenix.”

 

Next Race: The Al-Anabi Racing team will be back in action Feb. 17-19, 2012 at the 27^th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals near Phoenix.  For additional information, please visit www.nhra.com.  For additional information on the Al-Anabi Racing Team, please visit www.alanabiracing.com

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