What A Difference 24 Hours Makes

Friday night September 24^th David Rogers finished 15^th, one lap down at the Blizzard Series Finale at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.  Twenty Four hours later, he was in victory lane.  Rogers pulled the car back from Pensacola to his Orlando shop and set the car up to run at New Smyrna Speedway.  These two tracks could not be more different, and to get the car right for the 6^th Bright House Challenge Series race of the season required a lot of work, including changing all the springs on his familiar white, number 11, TM Ranch Car.

Rogers was the 2009 Challenge Series Champion, as well as the track champ, and won his 4^th  Bright House race of the season Saturday night.  Eighteen cars were on hand to compete, including 3 drivers who have won a Bright House race this season.  Justin Larson, Rich Clouser and David Rogers have all seen victory lane this year. 

The night started off with each competitor given two laps for qualifying.  When the dust settled, young Ben Kennedy proved to be fastest for the second race in a row.  Five would be inverted, giving Safety Harbor resident Justin Larson the number 1 starting spot.  Coming off his first Super Late Model win of his career in last month’s race, things looked good for Larson. 

At the start Larson would not be in contention.  He was quickly passed by Mike Good, Todd Allen and David Rogers, who started third.  Jeff Scoffield and Ben Kennedy were having a great battle for 6^th and 7^th, creating a road block for those behind them.  Clearing a slower car, 8^th running Alan Bruns would spin in turn 1 and 2, causing the night’s first caution. On the restart, Rogers was able to pass both Good and Allen, taking the lead that he would not give up.  Lake Mary resident Tim Russell moved up to fourth, putting Larson back to 5^th.  The second caution would soon fly again, as Zach Donati spun his number 9 Mustang exiting turn 2.  On the restart, Rogers was able to maintain the lead, but the caution flag quickly flew again as Shawn McCormick hit the inside wall midway down the backstretch. 

On the double file restart, Rogers once again was able to pull away from Good, Allen, Russell, Larson, Bruns and Kennedy.  Second through fifth was close racing, with the 55 of Todd Allen gaining the advantage.  Allen was able to close in on Rogers, pulling up to his door near the end of the race.  Youngster Allen tried a bit too hard, making contact with Rogers.  This appeared to be the motivation veteran Rogers needed, as he was able to stretch his lead and be unchallenged to the end.