There’s no question Kalitta Motorsports teammates Shawn Langdon and Doug Kalitta have set the pace throughout the 2026 Top Fuel season. As the season concludes this weekend at the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Kalitta Motorsports will be awarded its seventh NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world title.
The only question that remains: will it be Langdon or Kalitta who reigns supreme?
Throughout the year, Langdon and Kalitta have led the way for much of the season. Between the two, they have won 13 of 19 events. The two are first and second in points, with Langdon sitting 107 points ahead of Kalitta.
Last year at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were each crowned world champions. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Kalitta is after his second straight world title, while Langdon wants nothing more than his second career title as he sits on the cusp of another championship.
“For this weekend in Pomona, we just have to get the job done,” said Langdon. “Whatever that is, whatever the scenario, we’re prepared for it. I just want to keep the same mindset, keep the same mentality, keep the same focus and the same energy that we have all season.”
Langdon powers the Kalitta Air Careers Top Fuel dragster and has had a stranglehold on the field for most of the season. He has collected eight wins so far this season, including victories at the first three races of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, and advanced to the semifinals in Dallas and Las Vegas. Langdon also reset the national speed record twice this season, powering to a 346.95 mph pass in Martin. If Langdon can stretch his lead over Kalitta to more than 120 points in qualifying, he can secure the championship on Saturday. If not, he will need to win his first-round matchup on Sunday to clinch the title.
“This season definitely exceeded the goals I had in mind for our team this year,” Langdon said. “We’ve done a really good job; what we’ve accomplished means a lot, but at the end of the day, you have to win the championship. We have to do that – that’s our goal, so that’s our focus, and that’s where our heads are.”
Kalitta’s road to his third world championship is more challenging. He will need to not only outqualify Langdon, but also win the race. But Kalitta is no stranger to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The Top Fuel veteran has won at Pomona seven times, including last year when he defeated Tony Stewart. Pomona has been the site of historic moments for Kalitta, including in 2023 when he defeated Leah Pruett in a memorable and thrilling winner-take-all final round to secure his first world title.
“We all work together (at Kalitta Motorsports) to chip in on whatever needs to happen to try to make it happen as a team,” said Kalitta. “It would be one hell of an opportunity. It’s between those two teams and the guys have a rivalry for sure. They share the same shop, so it’s bragging rights. To me, having a chance (at another championship) is just an incredible opportunity to even be able to have this conversation. We’ll just have to let it play out and see what happens.”
The Funny Car class has the tightest competition as the series enters Pomona. Four-time world champion and current points leader Matt Hagan is eyeing a fifth title while standout Jordan Vandergriff is only 39 points back in second and is coming in hot after a win in Las Vegas. Kalitta Motorsports’ J.R. Todd is third after a win in Dallas and is 104 points out of the lead.
Reigning Pro Stock champion Dallas Glenn is within reach of his second championship. Glenn has won the last two Countdown races and sits 87 points ahead of Matt Hartford in second. Greg Stanfield is 99 points back in third.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle, reigning world champion Richard Gadson and two-time champion Gaige Herrera will be racing for two Diamond Wallys in Pomona as they will complete their delayed Las Vegas final and battle for this year’s title. Gadson is currently first, with Herrera trailing by 55.
Race fans will also enjoy action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, along with the Summit Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout and the LASD Racing exhibition.
Pomona race fans can also enjoy special pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, along with the SealMaster Track Walk. Another can’t-miss experience is Sunday’s winner’s circle celebration, where fans are invited to congratulate the champs and event winners. As always, every ticket is a pit pass to the most powerful motorsports attraction. Fans can see their favorite teams in action, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit the midway for displays, merchandise, food and fun.
In Pomona, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two qualifying rounds at 12 and 2:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, followed by eliminations coverage at 5 p.m. ET.
To purchase tickets to the 61st annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.
