KENT LICENSED TO DRIVE PRO STOCK
His jubilant attitude is infectious. 
His Louisiana-born and bred smile – heartwarming.
His driving talents – Pro Stock licensed.
On Monday afternoon at zMax Dragway outside of Charlotte, with his teammates and partner Rodger Brogdon looking on, Steve Kent became a member of the factory hot rod fraternity.
It didn’t take long for Kent to reel off a 6.74 elapsed time at 205 miles per hour to officially accrue the proper driving credentials – his first full pass to be exact. But, it took even less time for him to notice the difference between driving the new Attitude Apparel Pistonator-themed Pontiac GXP than his previous E/Altered 1963 Corvette.
“It’s a little faster than a Comp car,” Kent explained. “The first half of the track is not much more than a Comp car, but you got to pay a lot of attention about that. I guess it’s just so much more power, it tends to turn the tire and get a little squirrelly. That’s what I’ve been having to watch for. H***, it was fun.
“The gear shift is really the biggest difference between the two cars. I’ve got to make myself slow down because the Comp car’s gear is so much harder, the shifts come a lot quicker than the Pro Stock car. With the little motor and the high ratios, it’s hard. With the one-two shift [in the Pro Stocker] I’ve got to make myself wait for the light to come on because it’s so much further down the race track.”
Kent’s Comp car runs in the 7.7 second range and the Pro Stocker is a full second quicker. The one thing Kent already understands is how quickly even a slower car can take its driver on a wild ride. In Pomona last November, his Corvette drifted out of the groove during the NHRA AAA Finals, resulting in a soft rollover and slide. The memory remains etched in his mind where the edge of the racing “cliff” is. In Pro Stock, he’s taking no chances.
“I’m comfortable in a car, but I’ve got a lot to learn,” Kent admits. “You know, I’m very cautious not to make any bad mistakes in high gear. That’s what I keep telling myself, is just to be cautious and to stay in the center of the track and if you think you have a problem, lift. I’ve had a problem in the past and try to drive through issues, and you’re going so fast you won’t be able to do it.”
Is obtaining his Pro Stock license a dream come true? Kinda sorta, but Kent is quick to point out his eyes are focused on a larger prize. For Kent, there are his goals and then there’s the dream weekend.
“My dream weekend coming to the race track is to qualify number 1 and win the race,” Kent points out. “And when you forget those two things, you forgot what you come here for. And the main thing is come here, have a good time, make friends and go home happy. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what my goal is. I’m not going to be a full time Pro Stock racer, but I think I got a lot to learn, and we’ll have a lot of fun doing it.”
Kent plans to make his debut next weekend in Baytown at the NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.
“As soon as I can get my license in their hands out in Glendora, I’ll be entered,” Kent said with a smile.
Licensed drivers make entry lists and he knows it.
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