Langdon To Turn Pro After Multiple Sportsman Championships
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INDIANAPOLIS January 20, 2009: Two-time and reigning Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series world champion Shawn Langdon will trade in his Super Comp dragster for an 8,000-horsepower Top Fuel ride in 2009 and beyond. Pending the successful completion of the crossover licensing requirements, Langdon plans to run the entire 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in a John Stewart-tuned Lucas Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster as a teammate to established Top Fuel pro Morgan Lucas.
"We think it's time for Shawn to make the move to the top level of the sport and we're pleased to have him join our son Morgan in Top Fuel," said Forrest Lucas, founder of Lucas Oil who oversees his son's operation. "He's proven to be a winner in a racecar and it will be fun to watch him grow into his new role with our team.
"It's also important for us to have another positive role model for our company and the sport of NHRA drag racing. Shawn's a great young man that's like family to Charlotte and I and we wish nothing but the best for him in the days and months ahead."
Langdon's racing pedigree should position him nicely for a strong rookie season. Aside from his two Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Comp titles in 2007 and '08, he won the Junior Dragster national title for 14 year olds in 1997. Langdon also claimed three divisional titles in his career, two in Super Comp (Div. 7 in '07 and Div. 3 in '08) and one more in Junior Dragsters (Div. 7 in '99).
A native of Riverside, Calif., who now resides in Avon, Ind., the 26-year-old Langdon has collected five national event trophies in seven final-round showings as well as four divisional level wins in 11 final-round appearances. Additionally, he won the Super Comp trophy at the JEGS Allstars event in '05 and '06. In the last two years, Langdon has moonlighted in Top Alcohol Dragster at five national events, earning two No. 1 qualifying awards. Over his career he's competed in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp, Super Gas, Stock, Super Stock, and Junior Dragster.
"This is definitely an exciting time," Langdon said. "I've got lots of nervous energy right now. I know it's going to be a big step up and I'm really lucky to have Morgan as my teammate because he'll be there to bounce things off of as I learn to drive these things.
"I can't thank the Lucas family enough for this opportunity. Their commitment to drag racing at all levels is second-to-none. I feel very lucky to have this chance."
Both drivers will test this coming weekend at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix. Langdon must make one half-track pass and two 1,000-foot passes of at least 4.50 seconds and 240 mph to upgrade his license.
"I know exactly what Shawn is going through right now because it wasn't that long ago that I was making the same move," said Morgan, who turned professional with eight races left in the '04 season. "He'll do a great job. He just needs to make some passes and get used to the speeds.
"If we can put a good car under him I know Shawn has the ability and skill level to win some races and make a run at the Auto Club Rookie of the Year award. We've sponsored his Super Comp dragster for seven years and he's been outstanding every season. He also helps my mom out quite a bit with her Super Comp car. He's basically already a big part of the team. We're just giving him a quicker hot rod."
The team plans to have Langdon prepared to race at the season-opening 49th annual Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals, Feb. 5-8, at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.