Rodger Brogdon’s gamble is paying off with fast start in 2015
LAS VEGAS, NV – Rodger Brogdon is ready to bounce back from a tough race in Charlotte and return to the form 
that netted him one victory and the Pro Stock points lead at this weekend’s SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Brogdon won the race in Phoenix and raced to the semifinals in Pomona and Gainesville to lead the Pro Stock points standings, but he and his Rodger Brogdon Racing team struggled in Charlotte, losing in the first round after a broken transmission forced them to abort the run.
“It would’ve been hard to win that round anyway because we were in there with a tough group,” said Brogdon, who is second in the points standings, 43 behind good friend Jason Line. “That Charlotte race is like you’re starting in the second round. There are no easy cars, starting with the first round.
“We did struggle in Charlotte and never did make a good run, and we didn’t run as good as we should have in Gainesville. I think we were a little bit conservative there, but I think we’re going to show up in Las Vegas and be really fast.”
Brogdon continues to search for marketing partners to supplement his 2015 racing program, though he has vowed to race the full season.
“To use a gambling term, we’re betting on the come: You put the money out there and hope something can happen,” Brogdon said. “We’re going out there and spending our own money, but hopefully we can get somebody to come on board with us as a marketing partner before the season gets too deep.
“We’ve got a few things working, and hopefully something will happen in the next few months. If not, we’ve decided that we’re going to spend some of my retirement money and fund the deal myself for the full year. My wife wasn’t too particularly fond of the decision at first, but she’s on board with it now.
“It makes it a lot easier when you’re going fast. If we’d have gone out there the first four races and struggled a lot, I’d probably have a different outlook.”
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. ET, Friday, and 1:10 and 4:05 p.m., Saturday. Final eliminations will start at approximately noon, Sunday. Saturday qualifying will be broadcast live at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and elimination action Sunday will be aired at 5 p.m.
