Vital Statistics Driver:Shawn Langdon
Date of birth: Sept. 3, 1982
Hometown: Avon, Ind.
Sponsor/Car: Lucas Oil/Dixie Chopper Top Fuel dragster
Crew Chief: John Stewart
Career Wins: 5 (Super Comp 4, Super Gas 1)
Career Final Rounds: 7 (Super Comp 5, Super Gas 2)
Career Best Elapsed Time:3.844 seconds (quarter mile)
Career Best Speed: 311.41 mph (quarter mile)

For all he learned in his successful first year as a pro, Shawn Langdon knows there's plenty of room to improve.

Langdon, driver of the Lucas Oil/Speedco Top Fuel dragster for Morgan Lucas Racing in the NHRA's Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, said he spent the beginning of his rookie year just trying to fit in.

"In the beginning I didn't have too many expectations," he said. "I was just going by the seat of my pants. I know there was going to be a lot for me to learn, but I didn't want to overwhelm myself.

"Our guys made the transition easy and Morgan was a great teammate. Things that took him 10 or 12 races to learn, he was teaching me in three or four races."

Langdon became a vital cog in MLR's best season ever after reaching the finals in Charlotte and the semis in seven other events on the way to ninth-place finish in the 2009 standings.

Now Langdon wants to build on that foundation by adding depth to his technical knowledge and doing all he can for his fans and sponsors.

"I had a basic knowledge of how motors, blowers, and clutches work before I came in, but now I'm learning the ins and outs of exactly what these cars like," Langdon said. "It's been helpful for me out of the seat, too. Now when I'm showing fans the car or giving tours of our pit, I can explain what's going on in a much clearer way.

"In Super Comp, I did all the mechanical stuff as well as drive. Here, I just drive. It's been a big change for me. It's come to the point now that I want to get more involved in the program to really know what it takes to run these cars."

Langdon has three world championships to his credit, adding a Junior Dragster title to his two Super Comp championships from 2007 and 2008. On his NHRA Sportsman ledger, he has five national event victories, four in Super Comp and one more in Super Gas. He also has a trophy case full of Junior Dragster and high-dollar bracket racing hardware.

Even as a pro, he's never very far from his Sportsman background. Langdon is part of a new generation of Top Fuel drivers who puts as much stock in reaction time as horsepower and he never turns down a chance to sharpen his skills on off weekends.

"I've always taken pride in my reaction times," he said. "Last year I was No. 2 in average for the year. This year, I'm striving to be No. 1. I don't want to leave anything on the table. I had four or five holeshot wins last year and I'd like to get a couple more."

As those extra round wins add up, Langdon said he hopes the team becomes a title contender before the year is out.

"We're slowly building to the level where the top teams are at," Langdon said. "At the beginning of the Countdown (playoffs) last year, Morgan and I were in position to finish in the top five. Getting into the Countdown is tough, there are some really good-running cars out there. We're looking to get into the Countdown again this season and see where it takes us."

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2009:
  • Began professional career in Top Fuel
2008:
  • Won Super Comp National Championship in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for second straight year
  • Captured Division 3 Super Comp championship
  • Secured No. 1 qualifying position in Top Alcohol Dragster at Las Vegas 1 event

2007:
  • Won Super Comp National Championship in Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series
  • Captured Division 7 Super Comp championship
  • Secured No. 1 qualifying position in Top Alcohol Dragster at Reading event

2006:
  • Won Super Comp title at JEGS Allstars event in Chicago for second straight year

2005:
  • Won Super Comp title at JEGS Allstars event in Chicago

1999:
  • Captured Division 7 Junior Dragster championship;

1997:
  • Won National Championship in NHRA Junior Dragster League (14-year-old bracket)

Personal

  • Marital status: Single
  • Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 190 pounds
  • Education: Riverside Community College (two years)
  • Graduate of NHRA'S Junior Dragster class
  • Enjoys playing baseball, golfing, and bowling
  • Has competed in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp, Super Gas, Stock, Super Stock, and Junior Dragster