It is not very often that a temper tantrum leads to your big break in life.

But that may just be the case for NHRA Funny Car competitor Bobby Bode.

In a now infamous act of frustration and anger, a grief-stricken Bode chucked his racing helmet at his disabled Funny Car following an explosion in the final round of the NHRA SpringNationals in Houston earlier this year that left him just shy of winning his very first NHRA race. In a moment captured by Fox television crews and replayed across social media - both for the explosion and his reaction - Bode has found some newfound fame among the racing community and casual fans alike for his visible passion for the sport of drag racing.

“Has that day led to more attention for the team? I would have to say it has,” Bode said with a smile. “I honestly think it is at an all-time high right now. The phone calls, the people that have stopped over, people that usually don’t stop over, it is all pretty cool and surreal.”

Most famous among the calls, texts and visits to his pit area was the verbal recognition of Bode and his talent behind the wheel by new NHRA team owner and NASCAR hall-of-famer Tony Stewart. Steward famously pledged to get Bode a new helmet to replace the one he launched at his car and even paid a visit to the young racer in his pit area shortly after.

“Tony Stewart was probably the coolest thing,” Bode admitted. “I used to always watch him and play with his diecast cars and then, after my explosion, he was just sitting in the pit area waiting for me and, just to come back and see that, was like a wow moment for me.”

Bode is back in action this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals for the first time since the final round loss to Matt Hagan and he admits that the increase in attention for his tiny team has been a major confidence booster for himself and the rest of his crew.

“Yes, it gave me a lot of confidence,” Bode said. “I think we showed that day that we have a competitive race car that can actually do some damage and win some races.”