SHAWN LANGDON
Of course, for most, finding job security in a
sport as fickle as drag racing is akin to the pot
of gold at the end of the rainbow. But Langdon
believes he has found that after his opportunity
with Kalitta Motorsports came out of the blue.
Despite Langdon’s ride being parked with DSR,
Schumacher kept him on payroll as the team
worked diligently to find sponsorship. Langdon’s
mindset was focused on securing something with
DSR and racing as soon as possible. Simply put,
he wasn’t interested in jumping ship to a team
for a few races, finishing out the year and then
repeating the process of looking for sponsors
again next winter.
For the time, he was content with racing his
Super Comp dragster and working with DSR
to find a possible sponsor for 2017. In fact, his
Super Comp dragster became his outlet during
the down time. Langdon, a two-time Lucas Oil
titlist in Super Comp, estimated he put more than
70 runs on the dragster early this year before
the call from Kalitta Motorsports came. It was
surely unexpected, but the initial conversations
went well, and even as Langdon was stressing
the importance of stability, he was hearing the
same thing back from Kalitta VP of Operations
Jim Oberhofer.
“That was important to him and I love the job
security aspect of racing for this team,” Langdon
said. “I was very lucky to be considered for this
job. I had great conversations with Jim O and
something we discussed was the future of every-
thing. I was at a standstill and Connie gave me
an opportunity.”
Langdon has never had trouble making the
most of opportunities. He has won no matter
the team and he expects that to happen soon this
season. But while he wasn’t looking for change
at the start of the season, Langdon has become
enamored with what the Kalitta group has come
to represent. The fact things came together as
quickly as they did spoke volumes to Langdon,
who has fit in almost flawlessly with the team.
“This is just a really tight-knit, close group,”
Langdon said. “It really is a family. As you go
on, there’s different things that you notice. Mor-
gan Lucas Racing, Alan, DSR, every team I’ve
raced for has been a family in its own sense and
I’ve been fortunate to have raced for some great
companies.
“I’m really excited by this. Talking with Con-
nie and Jim O, I really think it’s a good fit with
how they run their team and conduct business.
Their track record speaks volumes. Everything
has gone smoothly.”
Not all has been picture-perfect on the track
as the team, led by Kalitta and co-crew chief Rob
Flynn, continues to search for consistency. Lang-
don has four first-round losses in his first eight
races of the year, but two of his semifinal appear-
ances have come in the last four events through
Norwalk. It’s a sign that things may be turning
in his favor, as Langdon remains as sharp as ever
on the starting line, furthering his reputation as
one of the top leavers in the sport.
He’s been sharp off the track as well, never
one afraid to speak – or type – his feelings if the
situation calls for it, whether it’s with fellow Top
Fuel competitors or even Street Outlaws racers,
making some pointed remarks about sportsman
racing in response to a post made by James “Bird-
man” Finney. But even if it brings extra attention,
don’t expect Langdon to run from the pressure.
He’s experienced almost everything in his Top
Fuel career, building a strong backbone from
the times went things went awry or he was left
searching for his next move. Langdon has seem-
ingly always found a way to come out on top – and
enjoy the entire process along the way – and if
there’s extra pressure that comes along with it,
expect Langdon to have as much fun as possible
flourishing in all of it.
“For me, I thrive off of pressure,” Langdon said.
“I would love to have a moment at the end of the
year where it’s one run, winner takes all. That’s
what you live for. I want to keep finding those
big moments. That’s what makes or breaks you
as a driver and competitor.
“I love that feeling of when you get that adrena-
line going, but you have the butterflies, too. That’s
when you want to bring your ‘A’ game. I’m hoping
to bring a few more of those (Kalitta Motorsports)
mosh pits to a track near you, and hopefully I
can bring back a Top Fuel world championship
to them.”
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38 | D r a g
I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com
Issue 122
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