INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 29) - Drag racing veteran Rodger Brogdon announced a title sponsorship deal with industry leader Owens Corning Friday night at the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals by unveiling his brand-new Owens Corning 2014 Chevrolet Camaro before a packed house at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Brogdon, who owns RoofTec, one of the largest roofing companies in the U.S., will showcase Owens Corning and its full line of products through the end of the season. Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), the world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass and related products, has been in business since 1935. It has earned the distinction of being part of the Fortune 500 for 59 consecutive years.
"The excitement level is very high, both with my race team and with everyone at Owens Corning," Brogdon said. "We do a lot of business with them at RoofTec, and I can speak from firsthand experience to the quality and reliability of all of their products.
"It's an honor to bring a Fortune 500 company with the legacy of Owens Corning into the NHRA for the first time. NHRA fans are extremely loyal to the companies that support their sport, and we're confident that allegiance will carry over to their next purchase where an Owens Corning product could be used."
Brogdon's new Jerry Haas-built Pro Stock Camaro is sure to be an instant favorite among NHRA's huge fan base as it will be adorned with the longtime spokestoon character of the legendary Pink Panther. Owens Corning has been manufacturing its pink fiberglass insulation for years to set itself apart from the competition.
"We're going to give the Pink Panther the ride of his life every time we run down the quarter-mile," said Brogdon, who has career-best numbers of 6.495 seconds at 213.57 mph. "He should help us spread the great message about their products even more effectively.
"Most people come in contact with an Owens Corning product every day. From roofing shingles to composite materials used in vehicles and electronics, on through to the fiberglass-reinforced plastic in cars, boats, and even pipes, it's pretty much a part of everyday life."
A past national event winner in both Pro Stock and Competition Eliminator, Brogdon is one of a small handful of Pro Stock team owners who has his own in-house engine program. That advantage allows him to race without relying on others for horsepower, the most critical element to success in the factory hot rod class.
"We've been building our own engines for a few years now, and the gains we've made have been so encouraging," Brogdon said. "It's a never-ending process and it's not something you can just throw money at and have success. It takes an incredible amount of dedication, a talented crew, and countless hours of work.
"It's very satisfying to have Owens Corning look at our entire program and see that we're doing it right and that we're a team they want to use to promote their products. We're going to do everything we can to make them proud."
