Pre-Race Report Event 08: Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Heartland Park Topeka Topeka, Kansas

With another milestone in the books, Kalitta looks for another Topeka win

Topeka Highlights: Defending race winner; Track MPH Record Holder (331.85 MPH - 2016); Two wins (2016, 2006) Three finals (2004, 2003, 2000); One no. 1 qualifier (2005)



Last Event Recap (Atlanta): Qualified fifth; Semi-finalist (Defeated Chris Karamesines in the first round and Clay Millican in the quarter-finals, lost to Tony Schumacher in the semi-finals)



2016 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Recap: Qualified first; Race Winner (Defeated Rob Passey in the first round, Clay Millican in the quarter-finals, Steve Torrence in the semi-finals and Antron Brown in the finals)



Quotable: “We are excited to be headed back to Topeka with the Mac Tools team. It has a ton of positive history for the Kalitta Motorsports team and I hope to add to it this weekend."



Career Stats: 441 starts, 600 round wins (ninth all-time), 42 wins (Fifth all-time in Top Fuel), 88 finals, 47 no.1 qualifiers (13th all-time)



2017 Season Stats: One final (Pomona-I); 11 round wins; fifth in the standings



2016 Season Stats: Four wins (Houston, Atlanta, Topeka, Pomona-II); Four no.1 qualifiers (Phoenix, Atlanta, Norwalk, Charlotte-II); Two finals (Pomona-I, Charlotte-II); 44 round wins; second in the final standings



Noteworthy: Will reach 1,000 career rounds of racing by participating in the first round of eliminations in Topeka

Langdon plans to add to Kalitta's Topeka winning tradition

Topeka Highlights: One win (2013); One final (2014); One no.1 qualifier (2013)



Last Event Recap (Atlanta): Qualified seventh; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Pat Dakin in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarter-finals)



2016 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Recap (w/ DSR): Qualified sixth; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Scott Palmer in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarter-finals)



Quotable: “I am definitely excited to get back out there. After Atlanta, we feel good about the Global Electronic Technology team. We have turned a corner and have a good handle on the car. Team Kalitta has a great track record at Topeka, so we have a lot of confidence rolling into the weekend. We are focused on making good runs. Weather looks like it could be a problem but now is as good as a time as any to get the car in the winners circle.”



Career Stats: 191 starts, 231 round wins, 14 wins, 28 finals, 18 no.1 qualifiers



2017 Season Stats: Three starts; One round win; 14th in the point standings



2016 Season Stats: Three wins (Bristol, Norwalk, St. Louis); 30 round wins; fifth in the final standings



Noteworthy: Joined Kalitta Motorsports from Don Schumacher Racing after Las Vegas in a full-time third Top Fuel entry; missed the first four events of the 2017 season due to lack of sponsorship; Langdon’s ride is backed by Global Electronic Technology, the fastest name in credit card processing

Coughlin Jr. focused on Topeka

Noteworthy: Eighth career pro event; a candidate for Auto Club Road to Future trophy (best rookie driver); father is former two-time Pro Mod champion (Troy Coughlin Sr.); uncle is former six-time NHRA champion (Jeg Coughlin Jr.); part of Coughlin family with 113 career wins



Last Event Recap (Charlotte): Qualified 14th; First round loss (Lost to Antron Brown in the first round)



Quotable: “The trailers are loaded and the SealMaster Toyota team is ready for more! I'm still gaining experience and confidence as we go, so I am looking forward to qualifying and racing this weekend."



2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; Three round wins; ninth in the point standings



Career Info: Five national event wins (Three in Super Gas, Two in Super Comp); 2013 Division III Super Gas Champion; 2015 NHRA Pro Mod Rookie of the Year

Todd ready to rebound in Topeka

Topeka Highlights: One Final (2007)



Last Event Recap (Atlanta): Qualified 13th; First round defeat (Lost to Ron Capps in the first round)



2016 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified ninth; First round defeat (Lost to Antron Brown in the first round)



Quotable: “The track surface in Topeka is one of the better ones we race on all season long. I look forward to getting there. If the conditions call for it, you can really throw down some quick times. The Kalitta gang always runs well there. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in Friday night qualifying and go from there.”



Career Stats: 155 starts, 154 round wins, 9 wins, 19 finals, 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: Seven starts, One final (Charlotte); Five round wins)



2017 Season Stats: Seven starts; One final (Charlotte-I); five round wins; ninth in the point standings



2016 Season Stats: One win (Sonoma); Five finals (Atlanta, Norwalk, Chicago, Las Vegas-II, Pomona-II); One no.1 qualifier (Pomona-II); 37 round wins; fourth in the final standings



Noteworthy: Attempting to become the 16th driver in NHRA history with a Top Fuel and Funny Car win; DHL celebrating 10th season of NHRA sponsorship

Chad Head Topeka pre-race notes

Last Event Recap (Atlanta): Qualified eighth; First round loss (Lost to Robert Hight in the first round)



2016 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals Recap (w/ Head Racing): Qualified 12th; First round defeat (Lost to Alexis DeJoria in the first round)



Career Stats: 84 starts, 32 round wins, Two finals, Two no.1 qualifiers



2016 Season Stats: Two semi-finals (Gainesville and Las Vegas I); eight round wins; 11th in the final standings