Topeka: New truck has Brogdon excited about Heartland Park

Certainteed Chevy S-10 Pro Stock Truck
Brogdon Motorsports
Rodger Brogdon - Owner/ Driver

TOPEKA, Kan. (Pre-Race) - Rodger Brogdon, driver of the CertainTeed Roofing Products Chevrolet S-10 Pro Stock Truck, heads to the 13th Annual Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Topeka with all new equipment and a renewed enthusiasm for drag racing.

In the second session of qualifying at the last Pro Stock Truck event in Atlanta, Brogdon's truck malfunctioned sending him into the left lane guardrail. The truck sustained damage, but Brogdon's professional crew headed by veteran racer Buddy Nickens, worked late into the night to get the truck back out on the racetrack for Saturday's qualifying. Even with the crew's heroic efforts, they could bring the damaged truck back to peak performance.

"We took a long look at the truck when we got back from Atlanta," said Brogdon of Tomball, Texas. "To fix the truck after the wreck, it was going to cost a lot of money, and would take 8 to 10 weeks to be fixed. The wrecked truck was new and was still unproven when we started racing it this year. So, we decided instead of throwing a lot of money into an unreliable piece and missing races; we thought it would be better to start over.

"Some people would think that it would be hard, or foolish to start over after only three races. After looking at what we had to work with, starting over seemed to be the best decision, and honestly, I feel better about doing it this way.

"Last week we bought a Jerry Haas truck form Larry Kopp. Larry had only run it a few times, so it was relatively new. Buddy (Nickens) drove across country last week to pick up the new truck. We spent the weekend getting it ready; putting our motor and equipment in it, then we will go to the racetrack here in Houston and test on Tuesday before we leave for Topeka.

"We are starting over with a clean slate. We have had three races to see what we were doing wrong with the other truck. We can now apply what we learned to this new truck before we get to the test track.

"We are hoping that after making some test laps on Tuesday, we will be able to start qualifying off in Topeka on the right foot.

"We have found that in this class you have to make every lap count. So, we would like to make a good opening lap in Topeka and then build on what we have. We know now that to be successful in this class that is what you have to do.

"We may be starting over, but I am very excited to get back to the racetrack. I have a great crew backing me up, and I feel like in the last three races we have learned a lot about racing these trucks. My driving is where it should be, and I have complete confidence in my equipment. I think all those things put together will add up to a successful weekend in Topeka for the CertainTeed race team."

Pro Stock Truck qualifying at the 13th Annual Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nationals in Topeka, Kan. will begin on Friday May 25 and continue on Saturday May 26. Elimintions will take place on Sunday May 27 at 11:00 AM CST.

Advance Auto Parts NHRA Nationals TV Schedule

Qualifying Highlights
Saturday May 26 ESPN2 8:00 - 9:30 PM EST

Eliminations Coverage
Sunday May 27 ESPN 3:30 - 6:00 PM EST

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