(7-2-2009) TOPEKA, Kansas - Despite two unfortunate rain-shortened events in both Memphis, Tennessee and Martin, Michigan, the American Drag Racing League rolls into Topeka, Kansas this weekend for the 3rd annual running of the ADRL Hardee's Independence Drags with four of the Al-Anabi Racing Pro Nitrous hot rods slated to jump into the fray.

Heartland Park will undoubtedly provide a fantastic racing surface for the essentially unlimited doorslammers, but the intense heat that comes standard with the Midwestern summer will surely make the Independence Drags a tuner's race, and fortunately for Al-Anabi Racing, they've got two of the best in the world in their corner.

Whilst the primary goal is to secure a spot in the SPEEDTECH Nitrous ADRL Battle for the Belts for each of the team's cars (Only Shannon Jenkins, currently No. 9, is out of the Top 8), team-leader Mike Castellana will be unveiling a brand new 1970.5 Chevy Camaro, new from Jerry Bickel Race Cars, and the main focus early in the race weekend will be to shakedown the new ride - - reported to the be the lightest car ever to leave Bickel's Missouri-based facility.

"We're really excited about the new car," reported Castellana, checking in via cell phone from JFK International Airport prior to flying out to Topeka. "The guys spent a few days earlier this weekend testing and the results were very promising. We've been very happy to be right in the thick of things, performance wise, with a legal-weight car, and now that we can get down to the weight of some of these other flyweight race cars - we should have an even better shot."

Castellana continued, "Looking at the weather forecast, though, we're going into this race with a game plan that is more consistency than record-setting. With Shannon Jenkins, we've got the best engine and nitrous tuner in the world on our side, and along with Rickie Smith doing the chassis and clutch - no question we're looking to run well, but we also know that repeatability will be monumental in the heat."

Owner of Al-Anabi Racing, His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani, while not in attendance this weekend, will be following along with the action via the internet, but anticipates a big weekend for his Pro Nitrous powerhouse team in the heartland.

"Considering the people we have involved, along with SPEEDTECH Nitrous and Reher-Morrison Racing Engines, I have high expectations for this team. I knew there would be a little bit of a learning curve with the new, lighter cars and we've got more power, but the team has a handle on things and I'm looking forward to a successful weekend in Topeka."

Driver of the world's quickest and fastest nitrous-assisted doorslammer, K.A. Balooshi, will be making the trek from Doha, Qatar to Kansas and is feeling rather confident after his shot-heard-round-the-world 3.867-second, 194.32mph blast in Michigan, looking to repeat that performance this coming weekend.

"I've got a lot of confidence coming into this event," said Balooshi, a few days prior to the race. "Ricky is really good with the car, and he puts me in a really safe and fast car every weekend. We knew once we got some data that we could run well, and there is actually still a little bit left out there. There is still potential for it [his McAmis-built '68 Chevy Camaro] to go one or two quicker."

Also looking to build on the momentum established in Martin, Michigan will be "The Iceman" Shannon Jenkins who posted a career-best 3.880-second, 192.07mph run in the first round of eliminations during the ADRL Ford drive One Summer Drags V. Jenkins will again play the pivotal role of horsepower provider for the team, tuning the entire stable of 800ci SPEEDTECH Nitrous-equipped Reher-Morrison Racing engines, as well as drive his own '68 Chevy Camaro and fight for a seeding in the championship-deciding Battle for the Belts in October.

Open testing begins at noon on Friday, July 3rd for the National Guard ADRL Hardee's Independence Drags III with the opening round of qualifying slated for 7:00 PM. Qualifying continues on Saturday at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM with pre-race ceremonies beginning at 6:45 PM with eliminations following.

Courtesy of Wes Buck