Langdon, Kalitta Lead Toyota in NHRA Winternationals Qualifying

POMONA, CA – Top Fuel drivers Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta placed fourth and fifth, respectively, to lead Toyota into Sunday’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

The two Kalitta Motorsports Toyota drivers have combined to win four of the last seven Winternationals Top Fuel events.

Langdon, returning to the seat of a Top Fuel car after two years in Funny Cars, started the weekend strong, earning the provisional pole on Friday with a 3.699-second pass. He was unable to better his time on Saturday and will begin Sunday’s eliminations from the fourth spot, facing Justin Ashley.

While not among the four drivers breaking into the 3.6’s, Kalitta proved to be among the most consistent cars on the track, earning bonus points in three of the four qualifying runs for finishing in the top three of a session. He will be looking for his third straight Winternationals crown on Sunday, opening up with Brandon Welch.

Should both Langdon and Kalitta win in the first round, the teammates will square off against one another in round two.

Antron Brown qualified ninth and will face Shawn Reed in his opening run.

J.R. Todd led the Camry Funny Car contingent, placing eighth. He will open with Tim Wilkerson on Sunday.

Making her return to the seat of a Funny Car after a two-year retirement, Alexis DeJoria placed 11th. She will square off with Paul Lee in the first round.

Rounding out the Toyota Funny Car contingent, Alex Mladinovich qualified 16th to set up a first-round match-up with pole-sitter Matt Hagan.

Sunday’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series eliminations have been moved up one hour to begin at 10:00 a.m. PT, with FS1 coverage scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. (ET).