TOYOTA’S LANGDON TAKES TOP FUEL POLE IN DALLAS; PEDREGON’S CAMRY SECOND IN FUNNY CAR

Ennis, TX – Toyota driver Shawn Langdon earned his fifth number one qualifier of the season in Top Fuel, while Cruz Pedregon qualified second in his Camry Funny Car in preparation for Sunday’s NHRA AAA of Texas Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Tex.

Langdon recorded a 3.819-second pass in his opening run today to earn the top spot after Friday’s two qualifying sessions were rained out.

“It was huge to come out here and make as strong a run as we did in the first session, said Langdon, who closed to within 18 points of the series lead.

Brandon Bernstein qualified third, Morgan Lucas, last week’s winner in Charlotte was 12^th and Antron Brown placed 14^th.  Khalid alBalooshi did not qualify to round out the Toyota Top Fuel contingent.

Pedregon full just short of his second consecutive number one qualifying effort, but will begin tomorrow’s eliminations as the number two seed after registering a 4.092-second pass.  Chad Head placed 10^th, Alexis DeJoria was 11th, Tony Pedregon was 13^th and Del Worsham qualified 16^th.

NHRA qualifying from Dallas can be seen twice on the ESPN family of networks, with the first showing tonight on ESPN News at 11:30 p.m., as well as at 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning on ESPN2.  Sunday’s Mello Yello Drag Racing Series eliminations are scheduled to run on ESPN2 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (all times EDT).