Ask Steve Kent or Rodger Brogdon how they think the first half of the season has gone for the
Charter Communications team and both will tell you quite frankly that they feel it should have been
better. But that's just the highly competitive side of the team owner and driver shining through,
as both men have very successful histories both on and off the track.
Heading into this week's NHRA Full Throttle series event at Summit Raceway Park, Steve, Rodger, and
the rest of the Charter Communications team know that their Pontiac GXP is capable of running with
the rest of the pack and they are looking to wrap up the first half of the season on a positive
note. As Brogdon put it, "Tommy Utt and the rest of the crew have really worked their butts off
getting us to where we are in such a short amount of time. From where this team was at the start of
the season to where we are now, well, it's really remarkable when you consider the progress that's
been made."
As Rodger continued that thought, "Norwalk will be the seventh race for this team in its present
configuration. In those seven races we've gone from qualifying at the bottom of the field to
showing that we can solidly play in the middle of the pack. We're building our data base on a race
by race basis, while the other teams have notes and records from years of past events to look back
on. That's why I'm really excited going into this week's race with the new track surface they just
installed at Norwalk, because it's going to force everyone to start on the same page come Fridays
qualifying sessions."
"Our early runs at Englishtown showed how strong we can be, and when we just missed on Saturday
mornings run, there was no doubt that we could get right back into the thick of things in the later
session. When we lost that run to the rain, it locked us into the right lane, and we all know how
well that worked for everyone on race day. Victor's (Cagnazzi) engine shop can obviously supply the
horsepower and Tommy Utt has shown that he's got a pretty good set up working in the car now, so
this weekend should be fun. Steve (Kent) will be back with us this weekend after being out of the
country for the last three races, so the team will be hitting on all cylinders and we'll be looking
to give everyone a run for their money on race day."
Be sure to follow Rodger Brogdon and the Charter Communications team, along with all of the racing
results for this weekend's race and every NHRA National event, on-line at http://www.dragracecentral.comhttp://www.web site name, and with
television coverage both Saturday and Sunday on ESPN2. Check your local listings for broadcast time
in your area.
