Roger Brogdon

Raymond Martin

Well-Known Member
Nov 8, 2007
547
295
63
Mont Belvieu,Tx
I hope Roger is okay after the crash at Topeka. Supposedly his back was hurting. Someone check his check writing hand to make sure it's okay..... Just kidding Roger, get well and have that beautiful car fixed....
 
I was ‘spectating’ in Topeka over the weekend, so got the chance to see some stuff I normally wouldn’t. Several of the bigger surprises revolved around Brogdon…

One of the first was seeing a beautiful charcoal-painted, broke-wall aluminum gooseneck trailer parked in the ‘Back 40 lot’. It was one of the nicest rigs I’ve ever seen. I was surprised- but probably shouldn’t have been- that it was Rodger’s. (Smaller than his previous toter/stacker, but definitely NOT what I’d call a step down.)

Next surprise was the Unkefer ‘Last Pass’ tribute. Bob was obviously a HUGE part of NHRA racing in this part of the country for a very long time. And while I appreciate everyone who supports our events, it definitely feels like something’s missing without hearing/seeing Unk.

Anyway, when I first heard RB was going to be taking Bob on one last run, I assumed an urn had been somehow secured inside the car. That’s not exactly how it went down. The parachute tribute was a definite surprise. But in my mind I can clearly hear Bob billowing his approval, so it immediately brought a smile.

As I thought about that pass, I tried to imagine how nervous Rodger must have been about it. For me, even if it was just Q1, given the circumstances I’d have wanted to make a nice run. And he certainly did.

I wasn’t trackside when Brogdon crashed the next day, but as soon as I heard the news I couldn’t help thinking it was less than 24 hours after the Unk tribute pass. It still sort of boggles my mind that one guy could have so much ‘stuff’ going on in one race weekend. I guess that’s par for the course for Brogdon, though. (There’s no question the dude runs WFO all the time!)

Rodger- if you happen to read this: thanks again for all you’ve done for Comp these past few years. I know a lot of folks knock the class for being a shadow of it’s former self. All I can say is we got here as soon as we could, and have enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. I know you have too.

Hope you- and the wagon- get well soon!
Keith
 
Thanks everyone for all the calls, text, emails, messenger notes and FB post.
Im fine. I made it through that with only aggravating an old back injury. Jerry Haas builds incredibly fast and safe hot rods and thankfully my Hans Device did what it was designed to. Otherwise I would have had some serious neck issues or possibly even worse. Wagon went straight to Jerry's and as you all know, it will be good as new when John and the guys at the shop get it repaired. Ive purchased a Haas PS Camaro to run in the same class (B/AA) until the Wagon is going again.
All the NHRA Sportsman classes are great but Comp has always been and always will be my favorite.

Keith you dont know how right you are, I was so nervous, I just wanted to make a nice run with no distractions to give one of the greatest guys I ever meet the last ride he definitely deserved. He was such a great friend of mine and many of you as well. Something will always be missing when I arrive at any track that he would normally be at. When I got to Tulsa several weeks ago and got out of my truck, I happened to look towards the bleachers and the first thing I thought of was someone is parked in Bobs spot. We all lost such an incredible friend. A friend to everyone!