While most of his brethren in the Top Fuel ranks enjoyed some time off after the season's first
stretch of three races on successive weekends, Rookie of the Year candidate Shawn Langdon went drag
racing against some of the best amateur drivers in the sport at the JEGS U.S. Open Bracket Racing
Championship.
The reigning back-to-back world champion in the cutthroat Super Comp category, considered by many
to be the toughest class at the Sportsman level, Langdon opted to hone his skills in a real race
car last weekend while his rivals rested.
Although he only managed to break even on the financial front over the four-day grind, he said the
seat time was well worth the effort as he packs up his regular ride -- the 8,000-horsepower Lucas
Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster -- and heads to Norwalk, Ohio, for this weekend's Summit Racing
Equipment NHRA Nationals.
"Nothing duplicates racing down a drag strip," Langdon said. "The cars may be different, but
pulling up next to someone, taking the tree, and racing to the finish line.you just can't replicate
that anywhere else.
"We went a lot of rounds over four days so I was able to stay in race mode and really focus on
getting better. I'm pretty pleased with my driving so far but it never hurts to stay sharp. I'm the
rookie on this team and I don't want to be the weak link, ever."
So far this season, Langdon hasn't disappointed anyone in the Lucas Oil pit, including car owner
and teammate Morgan Lucas. In fact, Lucas and Langdon are only separated by one point in the world
rankings, with Lucas in sixth place and Langdon in seventh.
"Shawn's been everything we knew he would be," Lucas said. "His driving has been perfect for the
most part and he's even pushed me to pick my game up. Watching him race a Top Fuel car, he's every
bit as good as guys that have been out there for way longer than he has. It's hard to believe he's
only made 50 or so passes.
"I truly believe Shawn will a great driver for a long time out here. The sky is the limit for him.
He's a natural."
Although Langdon has yet to win at the professional level, his five semifinal finishes this season
point to the fact he is just a lucky break away from hoisting a trophy.
"Stewie (crew chief John Stewart) has given me such a great car every race," Langdon said. "The
crew guys aren't making any mistakes. If not for a broken part here or there, we'd probably already
have a win. But hey, that's drag racing. We'll get it done. I have every confidence in our ability
as a team.
"I like Norwalk. It would be cool to win our first one there. I love the track and the people that
work there are very cool. They take care of the racers and the fans. You can't ask for anything
more than that. It's going to be a good weekend."
