Opportunity for St Louis Success Has Langdon and DHL Top Fuel Team Ready to Attack Track

Madison, IL – The Midwest Nationals this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway will be a critical turning point for Shawn Langdon and the DHL Toyota Top Fuel team. There are four races remaining the NHRA Countdown with the season finale earning the team points and a half. A strong performance by his DHL team that will also be promoting career opportunities at Kalitta Air with the KalittaAir.com/Careers logo could move him into position to maximize the final three races of the season. Fortunately for the 2013 Top Fuel world champion has some unique history of success at the track located just outside of St. Louis. Langdon is one of only two drivers to have won both nitro categories at the track positioned in the shadow of the famed St. Louis Arch. In 2016 he won Top Fuel and in 2019 he outran teammate J.R. Todd for his second Funny Car national event. The only other driver to achieve this special double win is Hall of Famer Gary Scelzi.

“It is cool to be one of only two drivers to have won Top Fuel and Funny Car at a national event, but we are focusing on getting another Top Fuel win this weekend,” said Langdon. “We got on a roll earlier this season and we need to get make into that kind of groove.”

In the middle of the regular season Langdon raced to two final rounds and two semifinals in a five-race stretch. The runner-up finishes in Bristol and Denver gave the team great data and showed they have a race car that can beat anyone in any conditions. They have continued to pick up round wins but some unfortunate first and second round match-ups have kept the team from reaching its full potential.

“This DHL Toyota team is a championship caliber team no doubt in my mind,” said Langdon. “We have all the pieces and the leadership we just haven’t been able to pull it all together on race day. No one is hanging their heads and we have four more races to get wins and move up in the points. I am ready to get to St. Louis.”

An added element for the team is the Feeding America “Drive For Purpose Challenge.” As the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States Feeding America is teaming up with DHL and Kalitta Motorsports to help in a race to end food insecurity. Every win light Langdon lights on Sunday equals 20,000 meals for the charity thanks to donations from Kalitta Motorsports that are matched by DHL. Last week Langdon’s teammate raced to the semifinals and earned 40,000 meals for his efforts.

Langdon’s history of success at the Midwest Nationals also includes a runner-up Top Fuel finish in 2014. The team will get their first chance to race to the top of the field on Friday night under the lights when conditions should be ideal for quick and fast runs. Saturday will feature two qualifying sessions with final eliminations getting underway on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

2021 Midwest Nationals Highlights: Qual. No. 14; Lost to Steve Torrence

Last Event Recap 2022 Carolina Nationals: Qual. 12; Lost to Doug Kalitta

Career Stats: 305 events, 301 starts, 326 round wins, 17 wins, 37 finals, 19 No. 1 qualifiers; in Top Fuel: 257 events, 253 starts, 15 wins, 34 finals, 287 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
Denver: RUNNER-UP; Qual. No. 12; Beat Greg Carrillo, Mike Salinas, Josh Hart; Lost to Leah Pruett
Sonoma: Qual. 9; Beat Antron Brown, Leah Pruett; Lost to Brittany Force
Seattle: Qual. 6; Beat Mike Salinas; Lost to Tony Schumacher
Topeka: Qual. 9; Beat Clay Millican; Lost to Mike Salinas
Brainerd: Qual. 11; Beat Leah Pruett; Lost to Justin Ashley
Indianapolis: Qual. 15; Lost to Justin Ashley
Reading: Qual. 12; Lost to Steve Torrence
Charlotte2: Qual. 12; Lost to Doug Kalitta