Shawn Langdon and the Lucas Oil/Speedco Top Fuel dragster team got the shot in the arm they were looking for Sunday at the 31st annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals.

Langdon, who qualified 15th on the ladder, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season by beating No. 2 qualifier and current points leader Del Worsham in the first round of eliminations. Worsham had won three of the last four races on tour.

"When you are running Del, you have to make a perfect run against him," Langdon said. "He’s been really solid this year so we knew we had to lay down a big run."

Langdon’s winning pass was in 3.853 seconds at 316.01 mph, which was enough to hold off a hard-charging Worsham who ran a 3.875 at 315.49 mph.

"Our goal was to run a 3.85 or better," Langdon said. "It was an all or nothing shot for us on that round. It held for us. It was an excellent job by the guys, considering all the adversity we’ve faced lately."

In the second round against eventual race winner Antron Brown, Langdon’s engine lost a cylinder at the starting line and couldn’t keep up with Brown’s car. Langdon crossed the finish in 5.852 seconds at 112.98 mph as Brown zipped to a 3.880 at 314.09 mph.