Steve Kent Racing to run Cagnazzi engines

Brogdon signs to run Cagnazzi power for 2009

(Houston, TX), The Steve Kent owned Pro Stock team and driver Rodger Brogdon today signed with Victor Cagnazzi racing to run Cagnazzi power for the balance of the NHRA 2009 Full Throttle tour. The combined effort will include Tommy Utt joining the Louisiana based team to help guide their efforts in pursuing a top ten finish in the 2009 campaign.

"Steve Kent made the commitment last year to run a competitive Pro Stock operation," said Brogdon. "And we have steadily made progress to attain that level both within our own team as well as with the Cagnazzi power we've had in the car since Gainesville."

"But when the opportunity arose to permanently join forces with Victor's operation, it was something that we felt we needed to seriously explore. While we wanted to build an in house engine program, it's a far tougher task than anyone could possibly realize." Rodger added, "By joining forces with Cagnazzi's established team we not only gain in the horsepower department, we also gain the experience and knowledge of Cagnazzi crew chief Tommy Utt, an addition that has already proven itself with our on track performance."

Brogdon continued, "By the time we get to Atlanta our car will have a whole new look and will have been through a pretty stout testing program. We're going to head to the Cagnazzi shop this week and see what else Tommy and the crew can find within the car. The speed we ran in Vegas showed us that we're going the right direction, we just need to have the car work with the power we now have under the hood. By joining forces with Victor's operation we will have all of theresources as reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin at our fingertips and we intend to put them to good use."

Victor Cagnazzi added, "Steve Kent and Rodger Brogdon are dedicated and proven racers, and we share the same passion and commitment to being successful. I know this is going to be a good partnership and I am looking forward to seeing them excel."

Steve Kent's team has leased an engine from Cagnazzi racing for the last three stops on the NHRA Full Throttle tour and has seen their performance steadily improve, just missing the field this past week in Las Vegas by a scant five thousandths of a second. By signing to run Cagnazzi power for the rest of the season the team looks to continue to advance in the Pro Stock battle.

As team owner Steve Kent put it, "Pro Stock is a war. We've been battling our way through some minor skirmishes, but it's come time to launch a major assault." That being said, it appears the war in Pro Stock will be taking on a whole new look beginning in Atlanta.

-credit: str