Competition Eliminator is all about strategy. No one understands that better than current NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Comp Eliminator points leader Greg Kamplain. The Brownsburg, Ind. resident and his wife Judy approach everything with a strategic eye. Hence the reason that he’s competing primarily in Division 4 this year instead of his native Division 3. 

“Are you familiar with the deal that Rodger Brogdon is doing?” he asked at the beginning of our recent chat after he won the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston. Yes, all of us at Competition Plus are quite familiar with the Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund, started by Brogdon and featuring a host of additional sponsors this year. 

With four different winners over four different events in Division 4, it’s pretty impossible to FORget what’s at stake. 

“We were going to try to conserve a little index,” said Kamplain. “Because I qualified for the JEGS Allstars this year. That was one of the main reasons we switched to B/DA this year. We wanted to have a clean index heading into that event.”

However, when Kamplain was in the heat of things last weekend in Houston, eyeing the very last Comp Eliminator national event title at Houston Raceway Park. He and Judy once again looked at things strategically. 

“Judy reminded me that we needed to look at the bigger picture here. The win in Houston was important. The national meets are points and a half in the Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund. We just barely got him (Mike DePalma, who faced Kamplain in the finals) at the end. We had to take a little hit on our personal index, but at a national meet, that’s not too bad. We got lucky.”

The national event win in Houston was a big one for Kamplain. In fact, prior to attending the divisional meet in Houston just a couple of weeks prior, he’d never been to the facility. So to get the final win there was a bit bittersweet.

But their focus is already on the remainder of the year. Kamplain plans to make every pass count. He’s especially grateful to Brogdon and all of the other Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund sponsors.

“I don’t really know why Rodger does it, but I’m glad he does. He’s a great guy anyway. And now he’s brought in a bunch of other people too. They all want to give back. I don’t want to jinx myself but we’ve actually done pretty good all year, going rounds. We’ve got a couple semifinal finishes, the runner-up (in Gainesville) and now the win. I’ve definitely had some luck. And that’s just how Comp is anyway.”

The competition is fierce and Kamplain welcomes it. 

“It’s tough. The D4 racers are all pretty tough. The fact that there has been a different winner at each race just shows that. There’s nobody dominating and that can end up being good or bad. If you’re dominating, that means you’re probably going to win but if no one’s dominating it keeps it a little tighter, and the fact that you’re going rounds every race helps a little more. I’m not going to say every round has been extremely difficult because like I said, I’ve had some luck. But D4 has a lot of good racers. It’s just fast cars and good drivers. That’s what makes Comp what it is.”

The points leader is quick to add that none of this would be possible without his crew chief for life, his wife Judy. “We are a two-person team. We do everything at the track ourselves. She has her duties and we make a lot of tuning calls together. I couldn’t and wouldn’t even try to do it without her. She’s extremely knowledgeable about everything we do.”

Additionally, Kamplain mentioned several sponsors who have helped to make his racing program possible: Mount Comfort RV, Don Thomas at Panhandle Performance Engines, Lucas Oil, Weldon Racing Pumps, Hoosier Tire, Indy Gear, Spitzer Race Cars, Fel-Pro Gaskets, Book Carburetors, VP Racing Fuel, K&N, and Motorsports Unlimited.

In addition to Brogdon's company, RoofTec, here are the other sponsors of the Comp Eliminator Bonus Fund:

* Ashton and Mignon Hudson - AMBE AMPERSAND SOAP Co.
* Nicky Fowler - SCOGGIN DICKEY PARTS CENTER
* Jerry Haas - JERRY HAAS RACE CARS
* Richard Freeman - ELITE MOTORSPORTS LLC.
* John Clegg - CLEGG INDUSTRIES, Inc
* Stan Holt - LUPE TORTILLA'S
* Joe Napoleon - TURNKEY INDUSTRIES
* Jim Whiteley - J & A Services LLC.
* Clint Neff / Harry Clack - ATC TRANSMISSION CENTER
* Dean Carter - QUALITY FLOORS
* Sean Schwartz - CCR MOTORSPORTS INSURANCE
* Ray Skillman - RAY SKILLMAN AUTO GROUP