A day after confirming the departure of Larry Dixon from its Top Fuel team, Al-Anabi Racing announced that it has signed Shawn Langdon for the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
“This is probably one of the biggest moments of my life and the biggest moments of my racing career,” Langdon said. “To get a phone call from Alan Johnson is probably one of the best phone calls you'll ever get, but it's a little intimidating, too. To get a call from the guy who runs such a high-caliber team, who's one of the best tuners in the sport and has won 10 Top Fuel championships is a very big honor. I'll be proud to fly the maroon colors for the country of Qatar, and I want to thank Sheik Khalid (Al-Anabi Racing team owner Sheik Khalid al Thani), Alan Johnson and everyone at Al-Anabi Racing for the opportunity. Hopefully, we can keep that No. 1 on one of the Al-Anabi cars for years to come.”
Langdon, 29, comes to Al-Anabi Racing from Morgan Lucas Racing where he drove the last three years beginning with his rookie season in 2009. In his 69 career NHRA starts, he has four runner-up finishes but has yet to win his first race. He finished ninth in the NHRA Full Throttle Top Fuel point standings this year, fifth in 2010 and ninth in 2009. He won the NHRA Lucas Oil Super Comp championship in 2007 and '08.
“All of us at Al-Anabi Racing and Alan Johnson Racing are excited to welcome Shawn to our team,” owner/team manager Alan Johnson said. “We look forward to sharing with Shawn the elements of our organization that have helped us win races and championships. Shawn's dedication to driving racecars at the highest level will be a great addition to the team of crew members that will prepare his car with that same enthusiasm. Shawn has yet to win a Top Fuel race, but we are confident if we provide him with a championship-caliber car he will find a way to win.”
With driver Del Worsham's retirement on Nov. 21, Al-Anabi Racing still has one seat to fill as the team intends to again field two Top Fuel cars in 2012.