Shawn Langdon will be rolling in Auto Club Raceway at Pomona looking to get one more win light than he did at the season opening Gatornationals. The 2013 NHRA Top Fuel world champions opened the season eight months ago with a runner-up finish and this weekend Langdon and the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel team will be focusing on wrapping up the season with a victory. He will also be looking to collect his third win at the iconic event to add to his 2015 and 2013 wins on the west coast.
“We have had success in Pomona in years past and we would definitely like to close out the season on a high note,” said Langdon. “We have been working really hard all season and we know we have a race car that is capable of winning. I am looking forward to getting to the track and starting to qualify on Friday.”
In addition to his two victories at the Auto Club Finals Langdon has added two runner-up finishes to his ledger in Pomona from 2017 and 2010. The veteran driver also added a No. 1 qualifier in 2012.
“I will have a lot of family and friends at the track this weekend, so we want to get out of the gate strong on Friday in qualifying,” said Langdon. “A good pass on Friday really sets you up for a good race. I feel like this DHL team can put a good number up and then build on that the rest of the weekend.”
Throughout the season Langdon has posted several quarterfinal and semifinal finishes. The DHL Kalitta Air team will be looking to get back to their early season form. Langdon and the team will also be looking to move up in the Top Ten standings at the final race. A successful day on Sunday could advance Langdon up two or three spots in the Top Ten.
2019 NHRA Auto Club Finals Highlights (event not contested in 2020): In Funny Car: Qual. No. 4; Beat Jeff Arend; Lost to Robert Hight
Last Event Recap (2021 Las Vegas Nationals): Qual. No. 12; Lost to Billy Torrence
Career Stats: 286 events, 283 starts, 310 round wins, 17 wins, 35 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 238 events, 235 starts, 15 wins, 32 finals, 271 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
Pomona1: Qual. No. 5; Beat Jim Maroney; Lost to Antron Brown
Topeka: Qual. No. 7; Beat Antron Brown, Billy Torrence; Lost to Clay Millican
Brainerd: Qual. No. 7; Lost to Antron Brown
Indianapolis: Qual. No. 16; Lost to Brittany Force
Reading: Qual. No. 11; Beat Mike Salinas; Lost to Billy Torrence
Charlotte2: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Clay Millican
St. Louis: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Steve Torrence
Dallas: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Clay Millican
Bristol: Qual. No. 10; Lost to Justin Ashley
Las Vegas2: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Billy Torrence
Kalitta Motorsports PR
