A tricky track and some missing race teams didn’t keep the fans away from the NHRA Sonoma Nationals in the California wine country. There were no large bare spots in the grandstands on Sunday. The same could not be said for the pits, however, as there were 17 Top Fuel entries, 18 in Funny Car, only 15 Pro Stock entries and 16 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Several more racers clinched spots in the Countdown to the Championship. Those now in are: Top Fuel - Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon; Funny Car - Robert Hight and John Force; Pro Stock – Erica Enders-Stevens, Allen Johnson, Jason Line, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and Dave Connolly; and Pro Stock Motorcycle – Andrew Hines, Eddie Krawiec, and Hector Arana Jr.

TOP FUEL

In Top Fuel, Khalid al Balooshi piloted his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to a 3.912 at 309.42, defeating teammate Shawn Langdon. It was the second win of the season for al Balooshi, who celebrated his 35th birthday during race day, and fourth of his career.

Langdon was first off the starting line advantage but around half-track he lost traction and dropped cylinders, finishing with a 4.008 at 271.35 mph.