Pre-Race Report
Event 03: NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla.
March 16-18
Event 03: NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla.
March 16-18
Gainesville Highlights: Three wins (2014, 2005, 2000); Two no. 1 qualifiers (2013, 2003)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Arizona Nationals): Qualified fifth; First round defeat (Lost to Billy Torrence in the first round)
2017 NHRA Gatornationals Recap: Qualified second; Semifinalist (Defeated Ike Maier in the first round and Leah Pritchett in the quarterfinals, lost to Antron Brown in the semifinals)
Quotable: “The Gatornationals is a historic race that means a lot to me and the NHRA as a whole. We had a strong start to the season with the Mac Tools team, and I am looking forward to getting back on track and hopefully picking up another Wally.”
Career Stats: 460 starts; 627 round wins (ninth all-time); 44 wins (fifth all-time in Top Fuel); 92 finals; 49 no.1 qualifiers (tied 14th all-time)
2018 Season: One win (Pomona-I); 4 round wins; second in the standings
2017 Season Recap: One win (Charlotte-II); Four finals (Pomona-I, Norwalk, Charlotte-II, St. Louis); Two no.1 qualifiers (Norwalk, Charlotte-II); 34 round wins; third in the standings
Noteworthy: Next no.1 qualifier is 50th of his career, would be the 14th driver to earn that mark
Gainesville Highlights: One no. 1 qualifier (2016)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Arizona Nationals): Qualified fifth; First round defeat (Lost to Scott Palmer in the first round)
2017 NHRA Gatornationals Recap: Did not compete
Quotable: “It has been a long two weeks off. We are looking forward to having a good showing for DHL and all of our partners. We cannot wait to get going again at the legendary Gatornationals!”
Career Stats: 81 starts; 75 round wins; Seven wins; Nine finals; Five no.1 qualifiers
2018 Season: Two starts; 15th in the standings
2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-II); Five round wins
Gainesville Highlights: Two no.1 qualifiers (2015, 2014)
Last Event Recap (NHRA Arizona Nationals): Qualified 10th; Semifinalist (Defeated Cruz Pedregon in the first round and Ron Capps in the quarterfinals, lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the semifinals)
2017 NHRA Gatornationals (Top Fuel): Did not compete
Quotable: “Gainesville has been one of the tracks that I love going to but I cannot seem to find any success there. I have made good runs in the past, but it is definitely one of those races I want to check off and I will have a prime opportunity this weekend. We came out of Phoenix with a strong run with the Global Electronic Technology Toyota and we are looking for the first win in a Funny Car in front of the great crowd that the Gatornationals always offers.”
Career Stats: 207 starts; 249 round wins; 14 wins; 30 finals; 18 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: Two starts; Two round wins)
2018 Season: Two starts; Two round wins; eighth in the standings
2017 Season Stats: 20 starts; Two finals (Dallas, Pomona II); 17 round wins; seventh in the point standings
Noteworthy: Langdon will earn his 250th career round win with opening round win in Gainesville
Last Event Recap (NHRA Arizona Nationals): Qualified eighth; First round defeat (Lost to Matt Hagan in the first round)
2017 NHRA Gatornationals: Qualified seventh; First round defeat (Lost to Jonnie Lindberg in the first round)
Quotable: “The Gatornationals has always been one of my favorite races. It is the first major race on the east coast and draws in a lot of people. To win this one, it would be right up there at the top.”
Career Stats: 174 starts; 168 round wins; 11 wins; 21 finals; 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: 26 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 19 round wins)
2018 Season: Two starts; One round win; ninth in the point standings
2017 Season Stats: 24 starts; Two wins (Sonoma, Indianapolis); Three finals (Charlotte-I, Sonoma, Indianapolis); 18 round wins; ninth in the point standings
All photos are courtesy of Gary Nastase Photography
