TOP FUEL

A fireball in the final put an end to Doug Kalitta’s great day.  {Ron Lewis photo)

In Top Fuel, Khalid al Balooshi claimed his third career victory by holding off event top qualifier Doug Kalitta in the final round. The Dubai native who now lives in Los Angeles finished in 3.974 at 324.36 in his Al-Anabi Racing dragster, while Kalitta’s Mac Tools dragster lost traction at mid-track and slowed to a 5.368 at 143.40 mph.

(Ron Lewis photo)

To take the victory, al Balooshi also raced past Tony Schumacher, teammate Shawn Langdon and Steve Torrence in earlier rounds.

“We had a strong day today,” said al Balooshi. “It's a good win, especially when you have Tony Schumacher first round, Shawn Langdon second round, and 'Steve-O' (Torrence), who's been doing a good job. Doug's car was the best car all weekend, so it made it a very big day for us to take him down in the final and get the trophy.”

It is a great start to the season for al Balooshi, who finished 11th in his rookie season in 2012 and eighth overall last year. It is the first time alBalooshi has led the Top Fuel points standings.

“Last year, our car started to get better and better,” al Balooshi said. “I felt like our car was better down in Florida (in preseason testing), and I've been telling people, 'I think we have a hot rod to start the season with.' I feel like our car got better and better and better each round. When I won the first round against Tony, I felt like my day was open.”