MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — While it may be cliché, the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel team is firing on all cylinders right now.
Shawn Langdon defeated teammate Doug Kalitta in the final round Sunday at Maryland Int’l Raceway to win his third consecutive race and fourth of the season.
It was also the fourth in the row for the team as Kalitta triumphed the week before Langdon began his streak.
“Winning cures about everything; this year’s been unbelievable,” Langdon said. “We had one little hiccup at the first race, but that’s just how good the team is – they bounced back, and now we’ve won three in a row. When this kind of thing happens, you just ride the wave because you never know how long it’ll last.
“A couple years ago, we didn’t finish in the top 10, and now we won three in a row. You ride the wave, enjoy it and soak it in, but you know what? The first thing we’re gonna do is get back, analyze it, and try to be better for the next race.”
Langdon discussed the reasons for the team’s success.
“I think, a couple of years ago, bringing over Alan Johnson and (Crew Chief) Brian Husen and then (Mac Tools Crew Chief) Mac Savage on Doug’s car and (Assistant Crew Chiefs) Aaron Cave and Justin Groat on our car and all of our crew guys,” Langdon said. “It’s getting all the right guys together, and we really have, just across the board including the DHL (Funny Car) team, three great groups of guys. They all work so well together – everything’s clicking. We knew the potential of what we had three years ago – it was just a matter of time, getting the cars dialed in, getting the right parts and pieces, getting everybody on the same page.
“Alan and Brian won all those championships for a reason, and so for all of us, we just keep our mouths shut, keep our ears open, listen and learn.”
Kalitta was disappointed to finish second, but pleased with the overall team performance.
“A second definitely sucks, but overall, it was a really close race,” Kalitta said. I have to hand it to Alan, Mac (Crew Chiefs Alan Johnson and Mac Savage), all my guys and the guys on Shawn’s team. They had two very close-running cars. It was a good day for the dragsters, for Kalitta Motorsports, and all the people that make it possible at Mac Tools, Revchem and SealMaster. We just have to lick our wounds and be ready next weekend in New Hampshire.”
