Shawn Langdon has been on a hot streak for pretty much the entire 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. But now on his second three-race winning streak of the year heading into this weekend’s 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, the Top Fuel standout continues to raise the bar in the category.
He’s won the first two races of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs – again obliterating the record book along the way – and will try to make it three straight in the postseason and four straight wins overall with a triumph this weekend in St. Louis.
Langdon and the Kalitta Motorsports team have been impressively workmanlike during their brilliant run this year, laying the groundwork for one incredible win after another in their 12,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster.
It’s put Langdon in the points lead and with seven wins in 2026 during NHRA’s 75th anniversary team, Langdon and his team are putting together a historic performance, which would be furthered if the past world champion can claim his second career win at World Wide Technology Raceway.
“The Kalitta Air guys do a great job – they triple check themselves and work together to be perfect,” Langdon said. “Brian (Crew Chief Brian Husen) strives for perfection. You have to be perfect in order to win races and championships, and what we’re doing so far this year is a testament to the guys who are bonding together and working hard. We keep our heads down and keep working hard for the next one. We’ll do the same for St. Louis.”
Last season, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) each claimed wins, while this year’s coverage also includes qualifying at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and 11 a.m. on Sunday. It also includes eliminations coverage on FOX on Sunday.
The majority of markets on Sunday, Oct. 4, will see NHRA action from St. Louis following football broadcasts early in the day. Those markets will air the NHRA playoff race from 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET following the football on FOX game, while some markets will air NHRA coverage from 2-4 p.m. ET, leading directly into football on FOX action.
The race is the 17th of 20 races during the 2026 season and marks the halfway point of the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Langdon and teammate Kalitta have – for the time being – made it a two-horse race in Top Fuel. Langdon leads Kalitta by just 25 points, but third-place Tony Stewart is a whopping 155 points back of Langdon, showcasing just how dominant Langdon has been for the bulk of the year.
The class remains filled with talent, including Antron Brown, Leah Pruett, rookie standout Maddi Gordon, Justin Ashley and Josh Hart, but Langdon and his group have been on a remarkable pace in 2026. Langdon has been driven by coming up just short in the championship chase in recent seasons, looking to stay just a step ahead of Kalitta as the reigning world champion is after a third world title in the past four seasons.
“I think we all feed off one another and it’s just a good working environment. We all work well together,” Langdon said. “We had a couple years of finishing second, finishing second in the regular season, and it’s not a bad spot to be, but it definitely gives you something to strive for. This is a team that’s stuck together and all the hard work is paying dividends.
“Racing guys like Doug brings out the best in you and it’s humbling to beat a driver of that caliber. (But) at the end of the day, the job’s not done. As good of a year as we’ve had, we’re only (25) points ahead of Doug, so there’s a lot of racing left.”
Friday opens with two qualifying sessions, including a spectacular night session that includes the inaugural “Top Dog” competition presented by USEDHOTDOGS.com, as NHRA’s quickest qualifiers battle for $7,500 in bonus money. That leads into Saturday’s two sessions and final eliminations on Sunday at the key playoff race.
Jordan Vandergriff, a Funny Car newcomer for John Force Racing, opened the playoffs with a win will try to track down points leader Hagan, who won Sunday in Rockingham, Capps, Todd and back-to-back world champ Austin Prock.
Greg Stanfield moved into the points lead in Pro Stock after winning in Rockingham. He’ll look to hold off the likes of Matt Hartford, reigning world champ Dallas Glenn, Greg Anderson and Erica Enders in St. Louis.
Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Richard Gadson holds the points lead after winning Sunday in Rockingham. Other standouts include Matt and Angie Smith, Herrera and Chase Van Sant.
The NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will also feature action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown.
Fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each driver racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, as well as the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the St. Louis event winners.
As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars between rounds, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, which includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun.
NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 2, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under are free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more info on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
This story was originally published on October 1, 2026. 
