This year’s installment of the New England NHRA Nationals will see Shawn Langdon driving his Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry looking to add a few more rounds and race into the winner’s circle. Last year Langdon’s Funny Car branded by the company recognized as “The Fastest Name in Credit Card Processing” was the only semifinalists to post three straight 300 mph passes in the opening rounds of eliminations. The second year Funny Car racer is looking for more success when the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series makes its lone visit to the New England region.
“Epping is a cool place to race,” said Langdon. “There is a lot of history in the New England area. We ran pretty well there last year and I think we figured a few thinks out on this Global Electronic Technology Camry Funny Car during the month of June.”
During the four races in four week stretch Langdon and his crew made some positive moves. They maintained their position in the Mello Yello Top Ten with just six races left in the regular season. The team also posted their best qualifying effort of the season a No. 2 qualifier at Bristol Dragway, another historic stop on the tour.
“We had a couple really good qualifying efforts in June, Bristol as the No. 2 qualifier and Chicago as the No. 4 qualifier,” said Langdon. “The last two races we had a great race car and we went rounds but going rounds isn’t what we are looking for ultimately. We are working towards a tune-up and race day performance that wins races.”
Since Langdon’s first Funny Car win this season in Charlotte the Global Electronic Technology Camry has raced to the quarterfinals three times. They have only started from the bottom half of the field one time over that six race stretch. Consistency will be the key to success as the regular season winds down and eyes turn to The Countdown.
“This weekend in Epping will be a key race for us and all the teams,” said Langdon. “We have had a week off to refresh a few parts up and after this we have an off week and then we start the Western Swing. I love this part of the season because we are in a groove and I think the team is really clicking.”
The Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry team also stayed after the last race in Norwalk making a number of successful test runs. The results showed positive improvement and also added more seat time for Langdon.
“You can never get too much time in one of these Funny Cars. You walk up to it in the staging lanes and see the Global Electronic Technology logo and ‘The Fastest Name in Credit Card Processing’ on the side and you know you are about to go over 300 mph. That is the coolest feeling. We are ready to get to Epping for sure,” added Langdon.
2018 New England NHRA Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 3; Beat Jim Campbell, John Force; Lost to Tim Wilkerson
Last Event Recap (2019 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals): Qual. No. 12; Beat Blake Alexander; Lost to Jack Beckman
Quotable: Langdon on getting back to the track after an off weekend: “I wasn’t in my Global Electronic Technology Camry Funny Car last weekend but I was still at a track. I raced in a big money bracket race to keep my skills sharp and have some fun. This Funny Car class is so tough you have to constantly stay on top of your game.”
Career Stats: 244 events, 241 starts, 272 round wins, 15 wins, 31 finals, 18 No. 1 qualifiers; in Funny Car 36 events, 36 starts, 22 round wins, 1 wins, 1 finals, 0 No. 1 qualifiers
2019 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 6; Beat Jim Campbell; Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr.
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 7; Beat Cruz Pedregon; Lost to Matt Hagan
Gatornationals: Qual. No. 10; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Tim Wilkseron and Jeff Diehl
Houston: Qual. No. 10; Beat Cruz Pedregon; Lost to Ron Capps
Charlotte1: Qual 5; WINNER; Beat Jeff Diehl and Terry Haddock; Beat J.R. Todd and Tommy Johnson Jr; Beat Robert Hight, John Force and Matt Hagan
Atlanta: Qual. No. 6; Lost to Ron Capps
Richmond: Qual. No. 5; Beat Tim Wilkerson; Lost to J.R. Todd
Chicago: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Jeff Arend
Topeka: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Robert Hight
Bristol: Qual. No. 2; Beat Jeff Diehl; Lost to Ron Capps
Norwalk: Qual. No. 12; Beat Blake Alexander; Lost to Jack Beckman
Noteworthy: Shawn Langdon will be trying to become just the fifth Funny Car driver to win an NHRA national event at New England Dragway.
Kalitta Motorsports PR
