BROWN TAKES TOP FUEL #1 QUALIFIER AT U.S. NATIONALS: LANGDON WINS $100,000 SHOOT-OUT, CLINCHES #1 SEED

INDIANAPOLIS, IN– Antron Brown won the Top Fuel pole, while Del Worsham placed third in Funny Car to lead Toyota in qualifying for Monday’s NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

Despite qualifying fifth for tomorrow’s eliminations, it was Shawn Langdon who walked away as the big winner on the day, taking home the $100,000 prize for winning the Traxxas Shoot-Out. In addition, by qualifying into tomorrow’s field, Langdon clinched the number one spot for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“We couldn’t have scripted it any better,” said Langdon. “That $100,000 feels good. From now on, everything we do the rest of the year is going to be under pressure – we’re at the biggest race of the year this weekend and then it’s six races left to win the championship.”

Brown earned his second number one qualifier of the season on his last pass on Sunday with a 3.811-second run. He will square off with fellow Toyota driver Morgan Lucas, who qualified 16th, in tomorrow’s first round. Langdon placed fifth, Khalid alBalooshi was 10th and Brandon Bernstein did not qualify.

In Funny Car, Worsham is hoping his impressive third in qualifying will set him up to earn his way into the Countdown. He enters eliminations 27 points behind 10th and 36 points behind ninth place. Chad Head placed ninth, Cruz Pedregon, who advanced to the finals of the Funny Car Traxxas Shoot-Out, qualified 10th, Alexis DeJoria was 12th and Tony Pedregon placed 15th.

Monday’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series eliminations are scheduled to run on ESPN2 from 12 noon – 6 p.m. (all times EDT).