Kalitta Motorsports' Brian Husen said the team 'stunk the place up through qualifying' at the NHRA Gerber Glass and Collision Route 66 Nationals. However, Shawn Langdon left the Joliet, Illinois, Route 66 Raceway Sunday enjoying the sweet smell of success.
Langdon won the Top Fuel final round over Antron Brown, stretched his lead in the standings over closest competitor Doug Kalitta to 54 points, and won the Mission Foods #2Fast#2Tasty Challenge bonus race for cash and extra Countdown to the Championship points.
But he started mid-pack, from the ninth position, and eliminated Shawn Reed, Kalitta, and track-speed-record-holder Josh Hart to reach the final against Brown. Langdon joined Chad Green in the winners circle.
Green defeated Alexis DeJoria in a rematch of their season-starting Gatornationals final round for his career-fourth victory and second of the season.
The showdowns in the Pro Stock classes were a bit anticlimactic, decided at the starting line. Aaron Stanfield won as opponent Greg Anderson fouled out.
Matt Smith sailed to his second-straight victory in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class because wife Angie Smith's bike broke on the launch during their final-round match-up.
Langdon attributed his success to his team, saying 'Brian and the whole Kalitta Air crew gave me such a great race car all day.' He also praised the team's ability to adapt to changing conditions.
The victory marks Langdon's second consecutive win in Top Fuel, solidifying his lead in the standings. The win is also a testament to the importance of teamwork in drag racing.
The team's ability to adapt to changing conditions is a key factor in their success.
