Of the 102 test runs made Wednesday at Gainesville Raceway, it was pass No. 87 that delivered the biggest preseason punch. Shawn Langdon covered the 1,000-foot distance in 3.621 seconds at 341.85 mph, the quickest run ever recorded in drag racing testing, though not an official NHRA record.
The run came on the second day of the Professional Racers Organization (PRO) preseason test session ahead of the season-opening national event at Gainesville. Langdon’s performance topped the Top Fuel field and reset expectations in the pit area.
Langdon said the result validated the team’s offseason preparation. He pointed to the hours invested before the haulers ever rolled through the gate.
“Feels very rewarding,” Langdon said. “Very, very happy for my team, happy for the guys.”
He emphasized the importance of producing tangible results early in the year. Testing offers teams the first measurable indicator of their winter work.
“It’s always nice to come out testing in the first couple days and just all the hard work that goes into preparation in the off-season and just give the guys some results and reward for their hard work,” Langdon said.
Langdon said the focus now shifts to finishing the test session strong. Gainesville race week looms.
“And I mean, it’s a great start,” he said. “So obviously very excited. One more day of testing and then be ready for Gainesville for the national.”
Langdon’s 3.621 placed him ahead of teammate Doug Kalitta, who posted a 3.668 at 339.45 mph. Justin Ashley followed with a 3.707 at 337.07 mph.
Billy Torrence ran 3.713 at 318.32 mph, while Antron Brown recorded a 3.724 at 311.63 mph. Shawn Reed clocked a 3.753 at 327.82 mph.
Tony Schumacher posted a 3.776 at 295.08 mph as teams continued working through combinations. Josh Hart followed with a 3.811 at 265.06 mph and Leah Pruett added a 3.823 at 273.94 mph.
Clay Millican turned in a 3.825 at 275.84 mph. Keith Murt closed out the Top Fuel group with a 3.957 at 318.17 mph.
Langdon’s 3.621 stands as the benchmark for the remainder of the session.
In Funny Car, Jordan Vandergriff led the category with a 3.866 at 331.69 mph. Earlier in the day, Vandergriff completed his transition from Top Fuel to Funny Car by finishing his licensing process with a 3.883 at 334.98 mph.
Jack Beckman followed with a 3.867 at 334.07 mph. J.R. Todd recorded a 3.871 at 336.99 mph.
Ron Capps posted a 3.896 at 336.32 mph as teams continued refining their early-season setups. Alexis DeJoria ran 3.939 at 321.27 mph and Matt Hagan clocked 3.947 at 309.20 mph.
Chad Green delivered a 3.954 at 324.44 mph. Tim Wilkerson rounded out the Funny Car list with a 3.968 at 274.66 mph.
The PRO test session provides teams an opportunity to evaluate performance before points racing begins. Crew chiefs and drivers use the runs to confirm data and establish direction for the opening event.
For Langdon, run No. 87 was the defining moment of the day. Langdon also delivered a warning that the bar might not be finished moving.
“There’s some left,” Langdon said. “There’s definitely some left.”
