Drag Racing: Shawn Langdon back on top of standings after New England

Shawn Langdon reached the final at the New England Nationals last weekend while teammate Khalid Al Balooshi fell in first round of eliminations.

Emirati driver Khalid Al Balooshi of the Qatar Al Anabi team was in action last weekend in New England. Photo courtesy of Gary Nastase

After a one-race hiatus, Qatar Al Anabi Racing Top Fuel Team's Shawn Langdon returned to the summit of the Top Fuel point standings over the weekend.

Langdon reached the final at the New England Nationals, the 11th of 24 races that make up America's 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season, losing to Spencer Massey.

However, his sixth, final-round appearance of the season was enough return him to the top of the point standings. He leads second-place Tony Schumacher by 43 points.

"We leave New Hampshire with the points lead – that was the goal for the weekend," said Langdon.

Teammate Khalid Al Balooshi did not have the same success as he was knocked out by Massey in the first round of eliminations. The result dropped the Emirati one place down to sixth in the standings.

"Our team did not have its best weekend, but that is OK," Al Balooshi said. "This is the race, and these things happen. We have done some very good things this year, but we are still learning and working to improve our race team."

The Al Anabi Racing team, who are owned by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, will be back in action this weekend at the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois.

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