# Shawn Langdon Steps to Second NHRA Top Fuel Title

> Shawn Langdon eyes second NHRA Top Fuel title with 191-point lead needed.
- Title: Shawn Langdon Steps to Second NHRA Top Fuel Title · Autoweek
- Summary: Shawn Langdon eyes second NHRA Top Fuel title with 191-point lead needed. Shawn Langdon needs 191 points to secure his second NHRA Top Fuel championship…
- Keywords: shawn langdon, nhra, top fuel, championship, doug kalitta, jason rupert, austin prock, dave richards, jeff diehl, matt hagan, jordan vandergriff, j.r. todd
- Source: Autoweek — https://autoweek.com/racing/nhra/a74303808/shawn-langdon-steps-from-second-nhra-top-fuel-title
- Author: Susan Wade
- Published: 2026-11-01T03:01:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shawn langdon, nhra, top fuel, championship, doug kalitta, jason rupert, austin prock, dave richards, jeff diehl, matt hagan, jordan vandergriff, j.r. todd
## Langdon's Championship Quest
Shawn Langdon said he knows four things as the MOPAR Las Vegas Nationals and his Top Fuel championship quest reach a crescendo.

> We know where the points are at. We know the challenges we face. We know what our goals are. And we know what the Kalitta Air [Dragster] team is capable of
## Points Lead Needed
Langdon needs 191 points to secure his second NHRA Top Fuel title before November 13-15 Finals at Pomona Dragstrip.
## Closest Competitor
Doug Kalitta, Langdon's teammate and current champion, has Alan Johnson as crew chief who tuned him to his 2013 championship.
## Funny Car Field
Jason Rupert's 3.998-second elapsed time early Saturday assured the milestone, but Austin Prock bumped him with a 3.878-second pass.
## Matt Hagan's Championship Hope
If Hagan advances to Las Vegas final round, he could have virtual lock on fifth championship.
## Beckman's Challenge
Jack Beckman, with fifth No. 1 start this season, could rise to become a huge thorn in Hagan's side.
## Hagan's Lead
Beckman has the edge on Hagan, who qualified No. 2 but still has points lead.
## Hagan's Race Strategy
If Hagan wins quarterfinals, he'd be hard to catch with current points lead.
## Vandergriff's Risk
Vandergriff trails Hagan by 99 points but could face setback if they meet in semifinals.
## Pro Stock Race
Dallas Glenn took over Pro Stock lead with 6.620-second elapsed time, beating Matt Hartford's 6.632.
## Pro Stock Motorcycle
Richard Gadson, Gaige Herrera, and Matt Smith compete for Pro Stock Motorcycle championship.
## Wilkerson's Engine Explosion
Daniel Wilkerson escaped unscathed from engine explosion during qualifying Saturday.
## Key takeaway

Shawn Langdon needs 191 points to secure his second NHRA Top Fuel championship before November 13-15 Finals.