Team Kalitta rolls into the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway carrying serious momentum in both nitro categories. Shawn Langdon leads the NHRA Top Fuel points standings, Doug Kalitta sits second, and J.R. Todd is tied for the Funny Car points lead as the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads to a new venue.
The powerhouse organization has quickly established itself as one of the dominant teams of the 2026 season, combining consistency, horsepower, and race-day execution to control both championship battles early in the year.
Shawn Langdon Chasing Third Straight NHRA Top Fuel Victory
Few drivers in NHRA are hotter right now than Shawn Langdon. The Kalitta Air Careers Top Fuel driver enters Maryland with victories in Phoenix, Valdosta, and Chicago, giving him three wins in the first six races of the season.
Team Kalitta’s Top Fuel operation has been nearly untouchable so far in 2026. Between Langdon’s three wins and Doug Kalitta’s Charlotte victory, the team has won four of the first six races and competed in 23 of 24 elimination rounds this season.
Langdon also enters the Potomac Nationals chasing history. A win at Maryland International Raceway would make him the first Top Fuel driver to win three consecutive races since Steve Torrence accomplished the feat in 2021.
The former NHRA Top Fuel champion has also rewritten the speed charts this season. During the Southern Nationals in Georgia, Langdon recorded the two fastest runs in NHRA history at 345.00 mph and 344.91 mph.
“The sport goes in waves, you have to capitalize when you can, and fortunately, the Kalitta Air Careers team is able to capitalize right now,” Langdon said. “We’re making consistently good runs when we need to and making appropriate runs when we need to. All the guys are doing a great job putting the car together consistently with no mistakes, and Brian (Crew Chief Brian Husen) is doing a great job making last-minute calls, putting a good tuneup in the car. Fortunately, we’re making good runs, and the results are falling in our favor.”
Langdon credits the team’s adaptability as a major reason for the early-season success.
“Brian’s gotten really good lately, off his gut feeling, making those last-second little changes,” Langdon said. “At the last race (near Chicago), I could tell he kinda had two different game plans, one for when the sun was out and one for when we had cloud cover, so they’re able to adapt to the conditions to provide a great race car.”
Although Langdon previously raced at Maryland International Raceway in bracket competition, this weekend marks his first Top Fuel appearance at the famed facility.
“I raced there (at Maryland International Raceway) a long time ago in a bracket race, but it’s a similar situation to South Georgia,” Langdon said. “I’ve never run a (Top) fuel car there, the only time I was there, it was in a bracket car, so different track, same result is what we’re hoping for this weekend.”
J.R. Todd Continues Strong Funny Car Resurgence
J.R. Todd’s resurgence in Funny Car has been one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 NHRA season. The DHL GR Supra Funny Car driver enters Maryland tied with Ron Capps for the Funny Car points lead after a consistent opening stretch.
Todd has posted one runner-up finish, three semifinal appearances, and two No. 1 qualifiers through the first six races while qualifying in the top six at four events.
For a team that struggled to consistently challenge the top Funny Car programs in recent years, the improvement has completely changed the atmosphere around the DHL camp.
“It’s refreshing to have some success in this early part of the season,” Todd said. “The team morale is completely different than it has been in years past just because I feel like we all know that we have a car that’s capable of going down the track every time we drag it to the starting line.”
Todd believes the consistency of the DHL GR Supra has restored confidence throughout the organization.
“The DHL GR Supra has been really consistently making good runs, and we definitely have a car that’s capable of running with the front runners, which is something we haven’t been able to do in years past,” Todd said. “Nothing’s guaranteed by any means, but knowing that you have a car that is capable of winning against anybody out there gives you more confidence as a driver.”
This weekend also marks Todd’s first appearance at Maryland International Raceway, where NHRA fans are expected to pack the facility for the inaugural event.
“It’s pretty cool to have fans coming over and saying, ‘thank you for being here,’” Todd said. “They’re proud to call it their home turf and love having us there. We love it when they come out and support us as well.”
Doug Kalitta Looking To Add Another Historic Victory
Defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta enters Maryland sitting second in points and continues to play a major role in Team Kalitta’s dominant 2026 campaign.
Kalitta already owns one victory, two runner-up finishes, and two semifinal appearances through six races, reinforcing why Team Kalitta remains one of the most dangerous organizations in drag racing.
The veteran driver has been especially impressed with the internal competition between his team and Langdon’s operation.
“The way our teams (Kalitta Motorsports) are running right now is just a hell of an opportunity,” Kalitta said. “Obviously, Connie (Team Owner Connie Kalitta) gives us everything we need.”
Kalitta also acknowledged the friendly rivalry developing between crew chiefs Alan Johnson and Brian Husen.
“Brian’s excited, too, that he has this opportunity to compete against Alan, and you have Shawn over there who’s a great driver,” Kalitta said. “Alan will be excited to stay ahead of those guys. Some days, you take what you can get. Alan can make just about as much power as anyone, so I’m in a good situation with him for sure.”
Like his teammates, Kalitta enters Maryland optimistic about another inaugural event after his strong performance earlier this season at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“It’s another new place like we had in South Georgia, that one ended up pretty good for us,” Kalitta said. “Our Mac Tools team is hungry, it would be really cool to win this first race. We’re looking forward to it.”
Team Kalitta Positioned As NHRA Championship Favorite
Six races into the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Team Kalitta has positioned itself as a legitimate championship threat in both nitro categories. With Langdon leading Top Fuel, Todd tied atop Funny Car, and Kalitta close behind, the organization has established the benchmark for consistency and performance.
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