NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Shawn Langdon knows what it’s like to win on drag racing’s biggest stage, as the former NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world champ has picked up two wins at the Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals, which is annually the biggest race of the NHRA season.
 
The latest came last year and now Langdon will try to make it two in a row at the world’s biggest drag race, as the 67th annual Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals takes place this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Langdon has already carved out an impressive legacy at the Big Go, but the talented driver of the 11,000-hp DHL dragster is after more, especially as he seeks out his first victory of the season. With the Countdown to the Championship playoffs looming after the stop in Indy, Langdon, who is sixth in points, is eager to put things together at a key point in the season.

 
“It is always exciting to get back to Indy for the U.S. Nationals,” Langdon said. “I won in Super Gas, and I have two Top Fuel wins. Getting the win last year was big with Connie Kalitta as my crew chief. I really wanted to get a win with him and the DHL team. It is the last race of the regular season, and teams are trying to get into the Countdown or get ready for the playoffs, so there is a lot of attention on this race.”
 
With action across several thrilling categories, special events like the Dodge HEMI Challenge and the JEGS Allstars bonus event for Sportsman racers and exhibition classes, the prestigious Dodge//SRT NHRA U.S. Nationals promises to deliver something special. Langdon (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock), and Scotty Pollacheck (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and FOX, including final eliminations on Sunday, Sept. 5. It is the 13th of 20 events during the 2021 season and the final race of the regular season.
 
It’s a thrilling time of year for Langdon, who has hopes of making a major push in the playoffs. To do that, and win for the third time in Top Fuel at Indy, Langdon will have to defeat the likes of Steve Torrence, the current points leader and three-time defending world champ, Antron Brown, Brittany Force, veteran and Kalitta Motorsports teammate Doug Kalitta, Leah Pruett, Clay Millican, Mike Salinas, and Justin Ashley. It’s a big task, but Langdon is focused on that, as well as taking part in NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series action in Indy.

“I am going to be running Super Comp and Top Fuel this race, so that will keep me busy,” said Langdon, who won the U.S. Nationals in Super Gas in 2010. “I like running the extra class because with only one nighttime pro session on Friday I can get my mind into race mode all day running my Super Comp dragster. I think it makes me a better racer because I am thinking about driving better, having good reaction times, and I am focusing on all the small details. Keeping your mind active and focused is a big deal when you have a race as important as the U.S. Nationals.”

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 3 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 1:00 and 4:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Television coverage includes qualifying action from 7-9 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 3 on FS1 and from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5. Eliminations will be broadcast live from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on FS1 on Sunday, Sept. 5, moving to FOX from 1-4 p.m. 
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats to the Dodge//SRT U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, call 800-884-NHRA or purchase online here. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.