Racing the Connie Kalitta “Bounty Hunter” tribute DHL Top Fuel dragster for the second race in a row had Shawn Langdon eager to make the most of the first Countdown race. The gold and white retro look dragster was once again the talk of the pit area for three days at Maple Grove Raceway. After two days of qualifying Langdon entered eliminations as the No. 11 qualifier.
In the first round giving up lane choice to his opponent Langdon knew he would need to have a complete package to get the round win. The conditions were warmer than the qualifying days and the Bounty Hunter tribute racecar that is tuned by Connie Kalitta and Kurt Elliott made the correct adjustments.
Langdon was first off the line and never trailed in the drag race. His reaction time advantage got his Top Fuel dragster out in front, and it held on for the win running 3.751 seconds at 318. 54 mph against a slightly quicker elapsed time from the car in the other lane which ran 3.750 seconds. The hole shot win advanced Langdon to the quarterfinals and also helped him keep pace with the rest of the top Countdown competitors.
In the second round racing the No. 5 qualifier and eventual race winner, Billy Torrence, Langdon once again took a sizeable starting line advantage based on his reaction time. In this round however Langdon held the lead most of the race but began hazing the tires just before the finish line opening the door for Torrence to sneak around him.
“That was a big win in the first round racing another Countdown racecar that was right behind us in the points,” said Langdon. “We would have liked to have gone further today but it was great to get this Bounty Hunter tribute car a round win and some good numbers. We will take this info we gathered this weekend and head to Charlotte. That will be the next big race and we will look to get more round wins there and move up in the points.”
With six more playoff races on the schedule Langdon and his DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel team will be looking to move up the points. Currently the 2013 Top Fuel champion is in seventh place.
Statistics:
Qualified: No. 11 (3.813 sec, 321.27 mph)
Bonus points: 0
Race Details:
First Round
Driver Qual R/T ET MPH
Shawn Langdon 11 .051 3.751 318.54 (W)
Mike Salinas 4 .095 3.750 304.32
Second Round
Driver Qual R/T ET MPH
Shawn Langdon 11 .052 3.797 302.89
Billy Torrence 5 .072 3.719 329.18 (W)
Kalitta Motorsports PR
