Shawn Langdon closed out a historic weekend in style Sunday, capturing his second Top Fuel victory of the season at South Georgia Motorsports Park during the NHRA Southern Nationals.
Just two days after setting the fastest pass in NHRA history at 345.00 mph, Langdon backed it up with a final-round win over teammate Doug Kalitta. Langdon posted a 3.808-second run at 333.16 mph to secure his 24th career victory and take over the points lead.
“This is very satisfying,” Langdon said. “We worked hard in the offseason to improve, and it’s paying off. This weekend showed we can win in different conditions.”
Kalitta reached his third final round of the season and now sits just four points behind Langdon in the standings.
In Funny Car, Jordan Vandergriff earned his first career NHRA victory, defeating J. R. Todd in the final with a run of 4.007 seconds at 314.17 mph. Vandergriff celebrated by running back up the track, honoring a tradition started by his uncle.
“This is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” Vandergriff said. “Hopefully it’s the first of many.”
Todd, meanwhile, advanced to his 50th career final round and moved into the Funny Car points lead, holding a slim advantage over Ron Capps.
Pro Stock saw Dallas Glenn overcome a chaotic race day to earn his second win of the season. Driving his Chevrolet Camaro, Glenn went 6.642 seconds at 211.39 mph in the final to defeat Troy Coughlin Jr..
“Today was one of the strangest race days I’ve ever had,” Glenn said. “We had some luck, but we also made it count when it mattered.”
Glenn remains the Pro Stock points leader after securing the 23rd win of his career.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Matt Smith completed a dominant weekend with his first win of the season. Smith defeated Richard Gadson in the final with a run of 6.724 seconds at 202.06 mph, earning the 43rd victory of his career.
“We’ve worked hard all winter to find more power,” Smith said. “It finally showed up today when it mattered most.”
Gadson, the reigning world champion, remains the points leader despite the runner-up finish.
The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads next to Route 66 Raceway for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, scheduled for May 14–17.
