The DHL Toyota Top Fuel team and driver Shawn Langdon will be looking to continue their recent wave of success as the Western Swing gets underway this weekend at the Mile High Nationals. Over the past three race Langdon has scored a runner-up finish and a semifinal finish to move up to seventh place in the Top Fuel point standings. The 2013 Top Fuel world champion is just three rounds out of fifth place. The veteran driver will be looking for his first win at Bandimere Speedway when the race gets underway with two rounds of qualifying on Friday.
“Racing at the Mile High Nationals is a unique experience,” said Langdon. “The crew chiefs have their hands full, but I just try and treat it like any other race. I like the fact that we will get four rounds of qualifying. That is good for the fans and it gives the teams more information for race day.”
Langdon’s team is led by drag racing legend Connie Kalitta along with veteran crew chiefs Kurt Elliott and Jason McCulloch. Throughout the season the DHL team has been steadily improving in qualifying and one race day.
“I have a lot of confidence every time I get into this DHL race car,” said Langdon. “Connie, Kurt and Jason are working on the best tune-up possible and I am trying to be the best I can off the starting line. It is a team effort to get every win light.”
Recognized as one of the best drivers off the starting line Langdon has been keeping his reaction time skills sharp by racing his Super Comp dragster at regional races between national events. During the Thunder Valley Nationals earlier this season Langdon won the Super Comp class and was runner-up in Top Fuel narrowly missing the rare double up win. The extra seat time gives Langdon a great metal edge when it comes to driving his 11,000 horsepower DHL Top Fuel dragster.
“Any time you can make passes down the track I think you get better as a driver,” said Langdon. “When I am racing two classes at an event, I am in race mode the whole day. You can’t simulate that kind of intensity and I think I do race better when I am in the car a lot. I get a lot of enjoyment out of racing Super Comp and Top Fuel for sure.”
Langdon and the DHL Top Fuel team will get their first crack at Bandimere Speedway on Friday evening for two rounds of qualifying. On Saturday two more rounds will set the team up to be one of the 16 quickest race cars with a chance to race for the Wally trophy on Sunday.
2021 NHRA Mile High Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 8; Lost to Clay Millican
Last Event Recap 2022 Norwalk Nationals: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Tripp Tatum
Career Stats: 297 events, 293 starts, 318 round wins, 17 wins, 36 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 249 events, 245 starts, 15 wins, 33 finals, 279 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2022 Results
Winternationals: Qual 8; Lost to Josh Hart
Arizona Nationals: Qual 7; Beat Antron Brown; Lost to Mike Salinas
Gatornationals: Qual 21; DNQ
Las Vegas1: Qual 11; Beat Doug Kalitta and Rob Passey; Lost to Steve Torrence and Brittany Force
Houston: Qual 10; Beat Leah Pruett; Lost to Brittany Force
Charlotte1: Qual 14; Lost to Clay Millican, Josh Hart
Richmond: Qual 12; Beat Doug Foley; Lost to Brittany Force
Epping: Qual. No. 12; Beat Josh Hart, Doug Kalitta; Lost to Justin Ashley
Bristol: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 9; Beat Spencer Massey, Mike Salinas, Antron Brown; Lost to Justin Ashley
Norwalk: Qual. No. 9; Lost to Tripp Tatum
Kalitta Motorsports PR
