Khalid Al Balooshi, of Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel Team, clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship NHRA play-offs, and Shawn Langdon inched closer to the top seed in the play-offs at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the 17th of 24 races that make up America's 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
Al Balooshi was the No 3 qualifier in Brainerd - his second-highest qualifying position of the season. In eliminations, he defeated TJ Zizzo and Doug Kalitta before losing to race winner Spencer Massey in the semi-finals. With his last-four appearance, Al Balooshi moved up one spot to fifth place in the NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel point standings and clinched his spot in the Countdown.
"This race was a good one for our team," Al Balooshi said. "The main thing on this race is that I moved up to No 5 in points, and I am very close to being No 4.
"I am so happy, and I am so excited with what we did this week. We clinched our spot in the Countdown, and the car was very consistent. The car was very fast, and one of the fastest of the weekend so it was a very good weekend for our team."
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