After a strong showing and runner-up finish at the New England NHRA Nationals Shawn Langdon and the Global Electronic Technology Toyota Camry Funny Car are ready to race into the historic Western Swing. The first stop is this weekend’s Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals at picturesque Bandimere Speedway. The track offers challenges to all the NHRA Mello Yello Series teams with its elevation exceeding 5,800 feet above sea level, thinning the air and forcing teams to get creative to create power on the mountain.
“Starting the Western Swing in Denver is always exciting and a challenge,” said Langdon. “We have a completely different tune-up for Bandimere, every team does. I think it put more in the driver’s hands. You have be great on the tree and also be ready for anything.”
Two weeks ago Langdon and his Global Electronic Technology team had to battle tough qualifying conditions as temperatures soared to over 90 degrees which translated into track temperatures well over 120 degrees. A weather system moved through on Saturday dropping temperatures by almost 30 degrees and giving teams a brand new track situation to contend with on race day. Fortunately for Langdon his team stepped up and gave him a great Toyota Camry race car.
The Charlotte national event winner took care of Jim Campbell in the first round and then took out the current points leader Robert Hight in the quarterfinals. His semifinal opponent was veteran Tim Wilkerson and Langdon was able to secure his third win light of the day in a tough race. In the final round Langdon was not able to stop Matt Hagan from winning his third New England Nationals in a row but the Global Electronic Technology Funny Car made another solid run in a losing effort.
“Going to the finals in Epping was a big boost for this Global Electronic Technology team,” said Langdon. “We have been qualifying well and we just were going rounds on race day. This is when you want to start building some momentum. We beat some tough teams that will be Countdown contenders for sure. We are in the mix on performance and I am looking forward to getting back to the track.”
The three-race Western Swing is a gauntlet for all the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams. The first stop in Denver is followed by Seattle and then finally Sonoma Raceway in northern California. All three tracks offer their own wrinkles and performance elements all the teams have to deal with. Langdon is eager to try and become just the second Funny Car driver to sweep the Western Swing.
“Winning one NHRA national event is tough but to get three in a row at those three tracks with different conditions and elevations is a great accomplishment,” said Langdon. “There is a reason only a handful of drivers have done it. Our goal will be to get that first win in Denver and then see where we go from there.”
2018 Mile High NHRA Nationals Highlights: Qualified No. 8; Lost to Tim Wilkerson
Last Event Recap (2019 New England NHRA Nationals): Qual. No. 5; RUNNER-UP; Beat Jim Campbell, Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson; Lost to Matt Hagan
Quotable: Langdon on starting Western Swing: “Someone asked me what my goal was for the Western Swing and I think it is like every other Funny Car racer out here, its win three in a row. We think we have the Funny Car to do it and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Career Stats: 245 events, 242 starts, 275 round wins, 15 wins, 32 finals, 18 No. 1 qualifiers; in Funny Car 37 events, 37 starts, 25 round wins, 1 wins, 2 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 Wilkeron 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
Epping: Qual. No. 5; RUNNER-UP; Beat Jim Campbell, Robert Hight, Tim Wilkerson; Lost to Matt Hagan
Noteworthy: Looking for first Funny Car win for Team Kalitta at Bandimere Speedway.
Kalitta Motorsports PR
