Shawn Langdon will be looking to add his name to the list of Kalitta Motorsports drivers who have captured a Gatornationals title with his first victory at Gainesville Raceway this weekend. He will also be racing for a unique spot in history on the heels of his second Top Fuel U.S. Nationals victory two weeks ago. With the rescheduled Gatornationals this weekend he could win back to back “Majors” which is something no one has done in the modern era. The 2013 Top Fuel world champion has reacquainted himself behind the wheel of the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster and he is eager to grab his second win of 2020.
“I have been getting more comfortable in the DHL Top Fuel dragster every run,” said Langdon. “This race car has a ton of power and we just need to pull it all together again this weekend. We picked up that big win in Indy and that shows you how strong this race car is. The past two seasons this DHL dragster has won the Gatornationals and I would like to keep that streak alive.”
Over twenty five years ago Langdon’s crew chief and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta won the Gatornationals in the first father versus son final round. Connie took the win over his son Scott to win his only Gatornationals Wally. Overall Kalitta Motorsports has six Gatornationals titles with Doug Kalitta claiming three titles and Richie Crampton owning two.
“Racing for Connie is a real honor,” confessed Langdon. “He has done it all in drag racing. It is really cool to get back to the hauler after a great run and see a big smile on his face. This whole DHL team is a great group from top to bottom. Getting that win two weeks ago was great but we want to contend for this championship.”
Over his Top Fuel career Langdon has fifteen wins with his most successful season coming in 2013 when he won seven national events on the way to his first Top Fuel world championship. He has raced to 31 Top Fuel final rounds and 19 No. 1 qualifiers in his career, including the 2015 No. 1 qualifier at the Gatornationals.
“I have been lucky to have raced with some great teams. I am thrilled to be back in the DHL dragster. We have so much support from sponsors like Toyota, Mobil 1, NGK Spark Plugs, SealMaster and new sponsor Fifth Third Bank. It would be great to get a third win in a row for this team at the Gatornationals,” added Langdon.
Last Event Recap (2020 NHRA U.S. Nationals): Qual. No. 1; WINNER; Beat Joey Haas, Cory McClenathan, Justin Ashley and Leah Pruett
2019 Gatornationals Recap: In Funny Car – Qual. No. 10; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Quotable: Shawn Langdon on winning U.S. Nationals again: “It was great to win Indy again especially with Connie as my crew chief. This was my third win at the U.S. Nationals since I won it once in my sportsman car. You love to win the historic races and the Gatornationals is right up there with Indy.”
Career Stats: 262 events, 259 starts, 293 round wins, 17 wins, 34 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel 214 events, 211 starts, 15 wins, 31 finals, 254 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2020 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Justin Ashley
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 7; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Steve Torrence
Indy1 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 8; Beat Justin Ashley; Lost to Steve Torrence
Indy2 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Justin Ashley
Indy3 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Leah Pruett
U.S. Nationals: Qual. No. 1; WINNER; Beat Joey Haas, Cory McClenathan, Justin Ashley and Leah Pruett
Kalitta Motorsports PR
