Luke Bogacki Wins First NHRA Divisional Trophy at Bradenton Motorsports Park

Bogacki drives this Stock Eliminator Nova for good friend and former NHRA Lucas Oil Super Gas Champion Bryan Robinson. Photo by Auto Imagery
Bogacki drives this Stock Eliminator Nova for good friend and former NHRA Lucas Oil Super Gas Champion Bryan Robinson. Photo by Auto Imagery
To claim that winning is everything and the only thing is one stand, to actually believe and live with it, regardless of circumstances, is entirely another. Yes, Luke Bogacki won the first NHRA Division Two trophy of the 2010 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series (LODRS) at Bradenton Motorsports Park, but the victory smacks bittersweet.
Bogacki's dragster has already carried him to a variety of victories since it's completion in 2009. Photo by BME Photography
Bogacki's dragster has already carried him to a variety of victories since it's completion in 2009. Photo by BME Photography


"Obviously, I was assured a spot in the final round regardless, and I had a great deal of confidence in my set-up and my own ability. Everything was clicking really well; especially considering it was the first time out this season. But Ray is a very good racer. I'm confident we'd have had a great race were it not for his misfortune. I'd certainly like to believe I'd have had the edge, but I'm equally certain he'd feel the same way. I wish we could have decided it on the racetrack," says Bogacki.

Ray Miller III was involved in a nasty accident just past the finish line following his semi-final win. Miller walked away from the crash unharmed, but was unable to return for the final, allowing Bogacki back-to-back singles to claim the event win.

"I'm just glad Ray-Ray is OK," said Bogacki. "That's a hard thing to watch. One second, we're catching up and cutting up in the staging lanes, the next he's going head-on into the wall at 175 mph. I've never been less excited to win a race, that's for sure. I'd rather get beat than to win like that."
Bogacki relies on a variety of K&N products including K&N's carbon fiber scoop and tray, air filter system, and HP-3002 Oil filter. Photo by Auto Imagery
Bogacki relies on a variety of K&N products including K&N's carbon fiber scoop and tray, air filter system, and HP-3002 Oil filter. Photo by Auto Imagery


That speaks volumes about the kind of racer and man Bogacki is. There's a lot going on in his personal life too, what with having just sold his house and preparing to move to Southern Illinois with his girlfriend Jessica. "I'm not looking forward to the physical act of moving, but I can't wait to start our life there together," says Bogacki.

On the racing front though, this is Bogacki's first real opportunity to chase NHRA points seriously he says. "We're running both Super Comp and Stock. I've got high expectations for myself, and winning the opening event just boosts those expectations some more. Like the thousands of NHRA competitors that compete nationwide, our goal at this point is obviously to hoist the Lucas Oil Championship trophy at season's end. We're off to a great start, but it's a long road to get to that point. We'll just keep working and see where we end up."

"I've been tickled to death with K&N's continued support of sportsman racing and my Bogacki Motorsports Team, and the continuing high-quality of K&N products," says Bogacki.

"K&N is a company that is in touch with the sportsman racer, and they're constantly working to develop new products that serve us better. Currently, I use the K&N HP-3002 Oil filter on each of my competition vehicles. I also use a variety of K&N carbon fiber scoops and air filtration systems on each of our four racecars, as well as a number of other miscellaneous filters. Plus, I use a K&N filter and cold air kit on my tow vehicles. To date, I've never had any issue with any K&N product. Knowing I have the best equipment available, like K&N's and my other sponsors, allows me to focus on doing my job behind the wheel."

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