Fresh off a dominant win in Seattle, Shawn Langdon rolls into this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals with momentum on his side and one goal in mind: stay on top.
For the first time since mid-May, Langdon leads the NHRA Top Fuel points standings, and the veteran driver of the Kalitta Air 25th Anniversary dragster plans to keep it that way as the regular season hits its final stretch. The 12th event of the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series kicks off July 25-27 at Sonoma Raceway, and Langdon is locked in.
“We just have a one-track mind: that’s to go win every race for the rest of the year,” said Langdon. “We’re embracing the pressure. Our motto is perfection until the end of the year.”
Langdon’s win last weekend at the NHRA Northwest Nationals came via a masterclass in consistency. Qualifying second behind teammate Doug Kalitta, Langdon posted a string of near-flawless race-day passes – 3.700, 3.685, 3.651, and 3.662 seconds – en route to his third victory of the season and the 22nd of his career.
“Our mentality is ‘put our heads down and work our butts off,’” Langdon said. “If we give it 100 percent, the results will be there. If we get a couple more wins along the way, that’s icing on the cake.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. With just three races remaining in the regular season, Langdon is chasing not only championship positioning, but also a newly added $150,000 bonus awarded to the regular-season points leader for the first time in NHRA history.
“Keep doing the same thing – that’s what it boils down to,” said Langdon. “Great runs, perfect execution. This team knows what to do, and we’re dialed in.”
Langdon has a strong history at Sonoma Raceway, with one win and two final-round appearances to date. The scenic California venue is known for cool air and quick times – the kind of conditions Langdon thrives in.
“I always love going to Sonoma,” he said. “I grew up racing Super Comp there. The fans are great, the weather can be amazing, and there’s always a chance to run hard. I just pray for a couple clouds and we’ll be ready.”
Langdon’s 2025 season has been marked by consistency and clutch performances. He’s advanced to the final round at four races so far, and his Kalitta Motorsports team is finding its groove at the perfect time. With Sonoma, Topeka, and Indy remaining before the Countdown begins, the final stretch is shaping up to be a heavyweight fight.
“We may have a target on our backs now, but we embrace that,” said Langdon. “We’re here to win.”
This story was originally published on July 22, 2025. 
