Shawn Langdon will be piloting the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster this weekend at the NHRA Winternationals looking for his third win at the historic event as well as looking to solidify his position as one of the top championship contenders. This season Langdon started off with a runner-up finish at the Gatornationals and since then he has been on the cusp of winning a number of times. Getting back to the southern California track where he will be surrounded by family and friends will definitely be a welcoming environment for the 2013 NHRA Top Fuel world champion.
“Having Sonoma and Pomona back-to-back definitely means I will have lots of friends and family at the track, which is great,” said Langdon. “I spend a lot of time in California with my nephew and family so I am really glad we are racing again at Pomona this year. Pomona is basically a home track for me and I love racing there.”
Langdon has driven into the winner’s circle twice at the Winternationals picking up victories in 2015 and 2013 to go along with a runner-up finish in 2011. His most recent win in Pomona came from his lone No. 1 qualifier at the race.
“Any time you can get multiple wins at an event you feel good about going back to that race,” said Langdon. “Our DHL dragster just needs to find a rhythm and we will be in great shape. We are No. 4 in the points and we would love to close the gap on No. 3 with some round wins.”
Langdon will get his first shot at winning the Winternationals for a third time when qualifying begins on Friday night. He will have two more qualifying runs on Saturday before final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. PDT on Sunday. The race will be televised on FOX from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. PDT.
2020 NHRA Winternationals Highlights: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Justin Ashley
Last Event Recap (2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals): Qual. No. 9; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Antron Brown
Career Stats: 276 events, 273 starts, 306 round wins, 17 wins, 35 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 228 events, 225 starts, 15 wins, 32 finals, 267 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2021 Season:
Gatornationals: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 6; Beat Doug Foley, Leah Pruett, Antron Brown; Lost to Josh Hart
Las Vegas1: Qual. No. 6; Beat Troy Buff and Rob Passey; Lost to Doug Kalitta and Steve Torrence
Atlanta: Qual. No. 11; Beat Leah Pruett, Mike Salinas; Lost to Steve Torrence
Charlotte1: Qual. No. 11; Lost to Antron Brown and Krista Baldwin
Houston: Qual. No. 7; Beat Josh Hart, Justin Ashley; Lost to Doug Kalitta
Epping: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Doug Kalitta
Norwalk: Qual. No. 16; Lost to Steve Torrence
Denver: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Clay Millican
Sonoma: Qual. No. 9; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Antron Brown
Kalitta Motorsports PR
