Shawn Langdon, driver of the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster, has a unique history at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. The 2013 NHRA Top Fuel champion is one of only two drivers to have won a playoff national event in both Top Fuel and Funny Car and he is the only driver to have done it at the same event. Langdon took the Funny Car title at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2019 three years after he collected his Top Fuel title in 2016. The Countdown contender will be looking to pick up his second win this weekend.
“There are some tracks where you just feel good racing and St. Louis has one of those tracks,” said Langdon. “The playoffs are underway and we are looking to win some rounds and move up in the points. The first two races didn’t go our way but we have five more races starting this weekend at the NHRA Midwest Nationals.”
The team stayed over in Charlotte following the DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals and tested on Monday. The results should hopefully translate to qualifying and race day success in St Louis. After a season opening runner-up finish to rookie Josh Hart, Langdon and the DHL Top Fuel team have been chasing a consistent performance. Throughout the season there have been flashes of success during qualifying or on race day, but the combination needed to turn on four win lights on Sunday has eluded the championship contending team.
“I know we have a great team over here and I love racing for Connie and Kurt,” said Langdon, referring to team owner, crew chief and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta and crew chief Kurt Elliott. “We have run really well and we just need to string a couple runs together to really make some headway. I love the competition out here and I don’t think we are out of this championship chase. A long weekend in St. Louis would go a long way.”
2020 NHRA Midwest Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Doug Kalitta
Last Event Recap (2021 DeWalt NHRA Carolina Nationals): Qual. No. 14; Lost to Clay Millican
Career Stats: 282 events, 279 starts, 310 round wins, 17 wins, 35 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 234 events, 231 starts, 15 wins, 32 finals, 271 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
Kalitta Motorsports PR
