As hard as it is to comprehend, it takes a rookie Top Fuel racer
several full passes down the drag strip before their mind actually
catches
up with what they're experiencing in real time. It's simply part of the
learning process of wrangling an 8,000-horsepower dragster through a
3.8-second, 315-mph journey.
Former two-time Sportsman world champion Shawn Langdon, the hand-picked
driver of the Lucas Oil/Dixie Choppers dragster, made the move from
175-mph Super Comp dragsters to Top Fuel in February. To date, he's
made about 30 full passes in his new car, including licensing,
qualifying, and race day action.
"I'm feeling really good in the car lately," Langdon said. "I've gone
from trying my best not to screw up to actually racing the car. I can
go back to Stewie (crew chief John Stewart) after a run now and tell
him exactly what happened. I feel like I've experienced most of the
things these cars do."