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NHRA Overturns Shawn Langdon’s Win, Justin Ashley Gets Top Fuel Title
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Highlights
- Shawn Langdon disqualified after NHRA post-race inspection revealed violations
- Langdon’s dragster lacked required 12 bolts on bellhousing inspection cover
- Justin Ashley declared winner, marking his first 2025 NHRA Top Fuel victory
- Ashley rose to third in Top Fuel points after Virginia win
- Kalitta Motorsports admitted bolts loosened during run, apologized publicly
- NHRA officially announced race result change on June 23, 2025
This Virginia victory boosted Ashley to third place in the NHRA Top Fuel points standings. It also marked his fifth appearance in a final round over the past six races, showing a strong mid-season comeback for Ashley and the Davis Motorsports team after a slow start earlier in the year.
After the ruling, Kalitta Motorsports released a statement explaining the situation. Chad Head, the General Manager, said that the bolts were properly installed before the run but rattled loose during the pass and collected in the car’s belly pan.
He accepted the team’s responsibility for the mishap, clarified that the safety rules matter most to them, and apologized to sponsors, fans, and competitors for the result.
Head shared that the team is already preparing for the next event and does not plan to make further comments on the incident.
Langdon, who is a past Top Fuel world champion, seemed ready to collect his first 2025 victory for Kalitta Motorsports. Instead, the result leaves the team looking to regroup and focus on upcoming races in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series.
The technical infraction cost the team a valuable win and momentum as the schedule heads deeper into the summer months. For Justin Ashley, the race result provided an unexpected but important boost.
The win gives his season new energy as he and Davis Motorsports continue chasing a championship in the heart of the racing calendar. The points shakeup puts Ashley back in the mix among the series’ top contenders and adds another highlight to his Top Fuel resume.
This change in race results was made official by the NHRA on June 23, 2025, shortly after the completion of the event.
The next series event is expected to draw significant attention as Kalitta Motorsports and Davis Motorsports both look to build on recent developments, aiming for a strong finish in the ongoing NHRA season.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
