READING, Pennsylvania: At a race track known for spectacular conditions and record-setting runs, the Qatar Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel team began competition on Friday hoping to add to the team’s magical run at the suburban Pennsylvania race track where the team has won four of its last five races.
Al Anabi driver Shawn Langdon finished fourth and his team-mate Khalid AlBalooshi was 12th after the first day of qualifying for the 30th annual NHRA Nationals, the 22nd of 24 races that make up the United States’ NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and the third of six races that comprise the Countdown to the Championship NHRA Play-offs. Qualifying continued yesterday and eliminations were set for today.
The Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel team, owned by H E Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, is the three-time and defending NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel world champions.
Langdon, the defending champion of this weekend’s event, made an excellent run to start the day. His 3.810s pass at nearly 312mph was third quickest after the first round. In the evening session, the silver Al Anabi team stepped it up and Langdon’s 3.773s run at nearly 326mph was the fourth-quickest run of the session. However, the three drivers who ran quicker on Friday evening lead the Top Fuel standings after the first day of Reading qualifying.
“The Al Anabi team made two more excellent runs on Friday,” Langdon said. “We were strong in the first session and even stronger in the second; that makes nine really strong runs since we fixed a problem last weekend in St. Louis. Most weekends, the Friday night run is the best chance to qualify at the top of the field but at Reading, the conditions will be good again on Saturday so we can still improve our position. Either way, the Al Anabi team will be ready to race on Sunday.”
AlBalooshi captured his first career Top Fuel win at Reading in 2012 and he’s definitely happy to be back. Could the team win again this weekend and make it three straight for victories for the Al Anabi team? Time will tell. AlBalooshi made a solid opening pass, a 3.834s effort at 316.82mph and was eighth after the first session. In the evening session, the team missed the set-up by a fraction and the car went into tire shake, forcing AlBalooshi to abort the remainder of the run and he was 12th after the first day.
“Our team had one good run and one not so good run on Friday,” AlBalooshi said. “This race is fun for everyone because the cars can go so fast but it is hard on the crew chiefs — they have to be perfect. We can still get a better position for Sunday – I know Jason (crew chief Jason McCulloch) and our crew guys will do their best to make our car one of the best in the show. I thank everyone on our team for their hard work.”
THE PENINSULA
