Pre-Race Report Event 10: NHRA Summernationals Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Englishtown, NJ

Doug Kalitta

 Doug Kalitta

Kalitta looks for third Englishtown win

Englishtown Highlights: Two wings (2003, 2000); One final (2001); Two no.1 qualifiers (2014, 2003)

Last Event Recap (Epping): Qualified ninth; First round loss (Lost to Steve Torrence in the first round)

2016 Summernationals Recap: Qualified fifth; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Leah Pritchett in the first round, lost to Brittany Force in the quarter-finals)

Quotable: “It would be special to claim another Englishtown win. My Mac Tools guys are working hard, and I know we will claim victory soon. “

Career Stats: 443 starts, 601 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); 12 round wins; fifth in the standings

Noteworthy: Seven races from 450 career race day starts

Shawn Langdon 

Langdon closing on return to winner’s circle

Englishtown Highlights: One win (2013)

Last Event Recap (Epping): Qualified sixth; Semi-finalist (Defeated Dom Lagana in the first round and Smax Smith in the quarter-finals, lost to Brittany Force in the semi-finals)

2016 Summernationals (w/ DSR): Qualified third; Semi-finalist (Defeated Shawn Reed in the first round and Dom Lagana in the quarter-finals, lost to Tony Schumacher in the semi-finals)

Quotable: “I am excited to get to Englishtown, especially after how good the car ran in Epping. There is a lot of meaning with this team there, so that is something that gets your drive built up as a driver that is a part of this team. I am excited to get back in the race car there and show what the Global Electronic Technology team is capable of.”

Career Stats: 193 starts, 234 round wins, 14 wins, 28 finals, 18 no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Five starts; Four round wins; 11th in the point standings

Noteworthy: Joined Kalitta Motorsports from Don Schumacher Racing after Las Vegas in a full-time third Top Fuel entry

 Troy Coughlin

Coughlin Jr. plans to build on solid Epping effort at the Summernationals

Noteworthy: 10th 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 (Epping): Qualified 10th; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Clay Millican in the first round, lost to Brittany Force in the quarter-finals)

Quotable: “Our confidence is rising with the SealMaster Toyota. Jim O, Nick, Glen and the SealMaster team are making strides with the program. I am gaining more positive experience in driving and we are ready to take on Englishtown, one of the most historic facilities in NHRA history. The desire to make more progress is the plan.”

2017 Season Stats: Nine starts; Four round wins; eighth 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

 JR Todd

Todd wants to deliver special Englishtown win

Last Event Recap (Epping): Qualified eighth; First round loss (Lost to Tommy Johnson Jr. in the first round)

2016 Summernationals Recap (Top Fuel): Qualified eighth; Quarter-final finish (Defeated Richie Crampton in the first round, lost to Steve Torrence in the quarter-finals)

Quotable: “It would be special to win there in the DHL Toyota Camry. With the history of this car and that track, it would mean a lot. They have come close in the past. To be able to hand that trophy to Connie would be incredible. I think our car is headed in the right direction. We are going to keep plugging away on it and find ways to make it better. I have to do a better job driving it to finish it off. We have our work cut out for us, but I like the direction we are going in.”

Career Stats: 157 starts, 155 round wins, 9 wins, 19 finals, 9 no.1 qualifiers (Funny Car stats: Nine starts, One final (Charlotte); Six round wins)

2017 Season Stats: Nine starts; One final (Charlotte-I); six round wins; eighth in the point 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

 Alexis Dejoria

DeJoria Englishtown pre-race notes

Englishtown Highlights: One final (2015)

Last Event Recap (Epping): Qualified 11th; First round loss (Lost to Bob Tasca III in the first round)

2016 Summernationals Recap: Qualified seventh; First round loss (Lost to Jack Beckman in the first round)

Career Stats: 122 starts; 84 round wins; Four wins; Seven finals, Four no.1 qualifiers

2017 Season Stats: Six starts; Two round wins; 14th in the point standings