Toyota NHRA Norwalk Preview

SURGING LANGDON HEADS TO NORWALK ON WINNING NOTE – After losing in the first round in five consecutive races to open the season, Shawn Langdon arrives in Norwalk this week on a winning note and surging up the Top Fuel point standings. Langdon was victorious this past weekend in Bristol and has now advanced to the semi-finals in two straight races and three of the last five. With his strong run, he’s climbed from 12th to sixth in points.

Shawn Langdon: “It felt good to get that win. It kind of had that first time feel again. Just because of all the things we’ve been through this year, losing first round the first five races and just this steady, but slow progression. I’ve just watched how hard this team has worked all year long. It’s been a little bit of struggle but when all the hard work pays off it’s just a huge relief. Everybody is ready to go to Norwalk. We’ll see similar conditions there to what we’ve had the last couple of weekends. It’s about building momentum for your team. This team is capable of a lot, we just need to keep working at it.”

KALITTA, BROWN CONTINUE TOP FUEL BATTLE – Toyota Top Fuel drivers Doug Kalitta and Antron Brown continue to battle for the series point lead with Kalitta holding a 53-point advantage heading into Bristol. He took over the top spot after winning Atlanta in May and has held it for the last four races. The two Toyota drivers have combined to win five of the season’s first 10 races.
Brown will be looking to catch Kalitta in another category as well this weekend. The reigning Top Fuel world champion trails his adversary by one on the all-time Top Fuel win list, 41-40. Kalitta is currently fourth and Brown fifth all-time.

KALITTA SET TO DEFEND NORWALK TITLE – Doug Kalitta earned his 37th career victory by powering his Mac Tools dragster past defending event winner and fellow Toyota driver Antron Brown in the final round at Norwalk in 2015. Kalitta also was the number one qualifier. The win had extra meaning for the entire Kalitta Motorsports team, coming just 120 miles from their home base in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Doug Kalitta: “This race is very special to the Kalitta family. We are based less than two hours down the road, and a lot of our friends and family make it a point to attend this race weekend. Mac Tools is also headquartered not far from the Norwalk, and the Bader family always puts on a first class event.”