GAINESVILLE, Florida March 10, 2015 - Heading into the NHRA Gatornationals atop the points standings after capturing a win in Phoenix, Pro Stock driver Rodger Brogdon finally feels like he is back at the top of his game.
"When I started out racing, I ran Competition Eliminator because I knew that every time I left my office I was one of the guys to beat at every race," Brogdon said. "All I know is I've got the feeling again. Don't get me wrong though, in Pro Stock you can be on top one race and behind the next. I'm going to enjoy this feeling while I can and hopefully it continues through Gainesville."
Starting off 2015 unsure of his racing plans for the upcoming season, Brogdon quickly made a tentative plan to compete at a few races and see where his Rodger Brogdon Racing team's performance stacked up. He has already recording a win, a semifinal appearance, and two top-three qualifying efforts in two races, so the hard work and determination that was put into his Chevrolet Camaro has been evident.
"We only decided to race about three weeks before Pomona (Calif.), hoping that I would go out there and run well the first few races," Brogdon said. "I don't think it gets much better than going to the semifinals in Pomona and winning the race in Phoenix.
"If I had to tell you how many shingles you would have to put on to even run in NHRA Pro Stock, you'd have a hard time believing it. It's about 800,000 squares just to cover a $1.5 million budget. That's 400 18-wheeler truckloads just to go out there and support my pastime. I think that proves that I really want to do be doing this, and I couldn't be happier that the results are backing that up."
Even though this is the best start to a season for Brogdon in his Pro Stock career, he is fully aware that he needs to keep improving at every race if he wants to keep the success going.
"One thing that I know I need to keep working on this year is my mental game," Brogdon said. "I've been late on the Tree when it matters most. In Pomona I was late against Jason (Line) because I was messing with my sun visor, and in Phoenix I was late against Erica (Enders-Stevens) because I was just nervous heading into a final-round matchup.
"I can't be doing that anymore if I want to keep doing well. I need to get back to taking it one round at a time and not worry about what is coming next."
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. ET, Friday, and noon and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations will start at approximately noon Sunday, with both qualifying and elimination action broadcast on ESPN2 on tape-delay basis.
