Langdon and DHL Top Fuel Team Looking to Cap 2020 Season with Another Win
Las Vegas – With the final race of the 2020 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season just days away Shawn Langdon and the DHL 
Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster team are looking to shore up another Top Five finish. Langdon sits No. 5 but there are a number of pursuers looking to try and move around the 2020 U.S, Nationals champion. Maintaining his position in the Top Fuel standings would mean Langdon finished Top Five six times in the past nine seasons he competed in the category including his championship season of 2013.
“Getting back into the dragster this season was an adjustment but so much muscle memory came back,” said Langdon. “This DHL team grew stronger as the season went on and definitely the U.S. Nationals win in Indy was our high point so far.”
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been a track where Langdon continues to search for that first career Top Fuel win in the desert. He has two No. 1 qualifiers from 2013 and 2009 but the veteran Top Fuel and Funny Car racer has yet to reach a final round at the race track located 20 miles north of Sin City
“We are looking to get the win this weekend and finish the season on a high note,” said Langdon. “You think about the last race of the season over the off season so you want to have a positive memory. The good news is we could finish in the Top Five and hopefully have a couple wins when we wrap this thing up.”
This season racing the DHL Kalitta Air Top Fuel dragster for legendary driver, crew chef and team owner Connie Kalitta has energized Langdon. Spending time with the iconic Kalitta before rounds and at the end of the day has been a learning experience all its own. While the lessons were not long lectures the message always came through loud and clear.
“Connie doesn’t talk a lot but when he does I definitely listen,” said Langdon. “There have been times when he has given me a heads up that he has an aggressive tune up and I should be ready to haul butt. Those are the times you get really excited. He has forgotten more about drag racing than I think I will ever know. This season has had its ups and downs like any season but getting to race for Connie Kalitta has been a privilege.”
Last Event Recap (2020 NHRA Springnationals): Qual. No. 8; Beat Justin Ashley; Lost to Steve Torrence
2019 NHRA Las Vegas Nationals Recap: In Funny Car – Qual. No. 5; Lost to Cruz Pedregon
Quotable: Shawn Langdon on finishing season in Las Vegas: “I am glad we got as many races in as we did. I lot of people, especially track operators like Chris Powell here in Las Vegas put in a lot of work to make it happen. We appreciate those efforts and want to go out and put on a good show.”
Career Stats: 266 events, 263 starts, 297 round wins, 17 wins, 34 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel 218 events, 215 starts, 15 wins, 31 finals, 258 round wins, 19 No. 1 qualifiers
2020 Season:
Winternationals: Qual. No. 4; Lost to Justin Ashley
Arizona Nationals: Qual. No. 7; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Steve Torrence
Indy1 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 8; Beat Justin Ashley; Lost to Steve Torrence
Indy2 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 3; Lost to Justin Ashley
Indy3 NHRA Nationals: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Leah Pruett
U.S. Nationals: Qual. No. 1; WINNER; Beat Joey Haas, Cory McClenathan, Justin Ashley and Leah Pruett
Gatornationals: Qual. No. 7; Beat Justin Ashley; Lost to Billy Torrence
Midwest Nationals: Qual. No. 12; Lost to Doug Kalitta
FallNationals: Qual. No. 4; Beat Kebin Kinsley, Leah Pruett; Lost to Steve Torrence
Springnationals: Qual. No. 8; Beat Justin Ashley; Lost to Steve Torrence
