ST. LOUIS (Sept. 23) - Staying behind an extra day in Dallas, Pro Stock driver Rodger Brogdon feels that Monday's test session has him better prepared for this week's 3rd annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park.
"We learned a whole bunch of stuff on Monday," Brogdon said. "We ought to be better this weekend. I now have six runs under my belt that I didn't have before.
"While we learned from testing, we didn't solve all our problems by any means. We're still having trouble getting through the 330-foot mark. The car just seems to want to pull a lot through the low gears, and we haven't figured out how to fix it yet. We have some more ideas though, so we're going to keep trying."
Even though all of his concerns didn't get fixed, Brogdon is relieved that the Dallas problems that plagued his Owens Corning Camaro have been resolved, and he even revealed another unknown issue.
"Thankfully we did get the electrical problems fixed that we were having in Dallas," Brogdon said. "However, when we fixed the electrical problems, we discovered another issue we were having. We didn't even know we were having the other problem because the electrical problem was hiding it. Something was going on but we just couldn't find it. Thankfully we did now.
"The good think is the electrical problem was the biggest issue we were fighting; what we found afterwards is just a little issue. Also, we were able to fix a couple other small problems we were having as well. I definitely think we benefited from all the testing."
While he may still have minor issues to work out, Brogdon will be looking to turn heads in his Owens Corning Camaro powered by an Elite Motorsports engine this weekend. He may have not competed in last year's NHRA Midwest Nationals, but Brogdon knows that his equipment is up to par to get the job done.
"I think if we qualify in the top half of the field we'll be good," Brogdon said. "You have to put together really good runs for that to happen. The top half of the field is always the cars with the best chance of going rounds.
"It'll be good though no matter what. Erica (Enders-Stevens) will be fast and I'll be fast. It'll definitely be a good weekend for us."
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:45 and 5:15 p.m., Friday, and 1:15 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations will start at approximately noon, Sunday, with both qualifying and elimination action broadcast on ESPN2 on tape-delay basis.
