POMONA, California: Months ago, Khalid AlBalooshi (pictured) left Pomona, California as the winner of the Circle K Winternationals for the Qatar Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel team, the three-time and defending NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel World Championship team owned by H E, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani.
On Friday, AlBalooshi returned to the Pomona form that propelled him to the winner’s circle in February. He is fifth in the order after the first day of qualifying for the 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, the 24th of 24 races making up the United States’ NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the last of six races that comprise the Countdown to the Championship NHRA Play-offs.
AlBalooshi’s gold Al Anabi dragster experienced tire shake in the opening qualifying session and was 15th. The second session was delayed into the evening, and the gold Al Anabi team took full advantage of the excellent early-evening conditions. AlBalooshi’s 3.776-second pass at 322.58 mph was enough to place the Dubai native fifth in the qualifying order.
“We have a good car for this race,” AlBalooshi said.
“The Al Anabi team made a very good run in the second round, and it feels good to finish Friday in good position.”
On the silver side of the Al Anabi Racing pit area, Shawn Langdon and team had a difficult day. The team experienced engine problems in the opening qualifying session and was 18th in the order. In the second session, the tires on the Al Anabi car shook violently very early, and Langdon was forced to abort it; he dropped two places in the order.
Langdon is 20th with two qualifying attempts remaining to qualify for the 16-car field.
THE PENINSULA
