INDIANAPOLIS - Alan Johnson is back in the realm of NHRA team ownership, and has financial backing from the Middle East behind him.

The Santa Maria resident announced on Saturday that he will leave his duties at Don Shumacher Racing as the crew chief for the U.S. Army Dragster of Tony Schumacher after this season to re-form his own Alan Johnson Racing, this time in partnership with the Qatar-based Al-Abani Racing.

The Al-Abani outfit is partially controlled by Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani, a senior member of Qatar's ruling family, a U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf region. Al Thani is using the partnership to, according to an NHRA release, “promote domestic and international awareness of motorsports in the nation of Qatar.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for Alan Johnson Racing,” said Johnson in a press conference at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. “We look forward to our relationship with Al-Anabi Racing and the people of Qatar. It's widely known that my goal for quite some time now has been to become a team owner again, and this is my best opportunity to achieve that goal.”

The team will be a two-car operation, with one entrant in each of the nitro categories, Top Fuel and Funny Car. Drivers for the teams were not announced. Reports state that the annual budget for the operation is in the neighborhood of $10 million.

Johnson will leave Schumacher Racing, where he has served as Schumacher's crew chief and tuner since mid-2003. In that time, the duo has claimed the last four Top Fuel world titles, running Johnson's total of NHRA titles to 11: Four in the Top Alcohol ranks with late brother Blaine, three Top Fuel titles with Gary Scelzi, and Schumacher's last four.

The duo currently leads the Top Fuel points coming into this weekend's Nationals.

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“I have enjoyed a wonderful experience with the U.S. Army race team,” Johnson said. “I wouldn't change the past five years for anything. My focus for the remainder of the season will be to put forth my best effort to win the fifth consecutive championship for the U.S. Army, Tony Schumacher, and DSR.”

Al-Anabi has already made inroads in the U.S. drag-racing scene, as its Awesome Al-Anabi Racing organization competes in the Pro Modified categories in both the NHRA and IHRA.

Tony Schumacher was complimentary after learning of Johnson's decision.

“Obviously, we're all disappointed to see Alan go, but at the same time we're happy for him that he was able to achieve his goal of becoming a team owner once again,” he said. “We certainly wish him the best of luck.”

Complimentary words also came from Schumacher's sponsor.

“Alan Johnson is both an incredibly talented crew chief and leader,” added Colonel David Lee, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Communications for the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “Most importantly, he is an outstanding ambassador for our Army and genuine supporter of the men and women who serve this nation.

“We are deeply appreciative of what Alan has contributed to our team,” Lee added. “And although we are sad to see him go, he will carry with him the admiration, gratitude and best wishes of the Soldiers of the United States Army.”

Sheik Al Thani - who has family as members of the Internatioanl Olympic Committee - was also part of the family's bid to try to hold the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in the capital city of Doha.

August 31, 2008