MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Will Rodgers refuses to give up.
Rodgers quickly became on the NASCAR radar during the 2017 and 2018 seasons when the Maui, Hawaii native appeared out of nowhere and began winning in what was known at the time as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West divisions.
Victories at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International caught the attention of many, including Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick.
Rodgers’s quick success and contagious attitude had many in the industry believing that he would capture the attention of a powerhouse team that would take him under their reins and develop his craft further.
Unfortunately, that path never materialized leaving Rodgers to fend for his own.
Through tireless nights, countless numbers of phone calls and emails, Rodgers has been able to stay visible with sporadic starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series since 2018 – but those opportunities often left more to be desired.
When Rodgers announced a limited schedule with Sam Hunt Racing in 2021, many believed that Rodgers’s hard work had paid off and the opportunity to compete for the Mooresville, N.C.-based team would showcase his potential not only at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, but at the two road course races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL.
Nashville was solid. Qualifying 14th – he was able to maintain a strong presence inside the top-15 for the majority of the race and earned his career-best Xfinity Series oval finish of 14th.
Qualifying ninth at Indianapolis, Rodgers quickly showcased his road course skills and contended for a top-10 finish before a brake failure during a routine pit stop abruptly ended his day with a disappointing 28th-place finish.
The opportunity to rebound at the ROVAL never came to life with a frustrating 29th-place result.
Despite the bumps during his three-race tenure, it appeared that Rodgers would have an opportunity to prove his worth with an opportunity to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with SHR for the 2022 season.
As quickly as the opportunity fused together, it disappeared. Sponsorship woes less than six weeks before the start of the season put him back on the sidelines again.
“Keeping my NASCAR career going has been a tough process,” said Rodgers. “There’s no way to sugar coat the fact that this industry, motorsports as a whole, is all about the financial backing the driver can provide.
“For me, there is no personal financial backing, so the business of sponsorship is my only way. I’ve been working for years to build up my relationships and align with businesses that will benefit from supporting my racing efforts.
“I’ve been more than close to the perfect sponsor relationship and more than enough funding to take me to the next level (2022), but financial trouble with the company resulted in the program never coming to fruition.
That said, I’ve done it before, so it can be done again.”
Quitting is not an option.
“Keeping my NASCAR career going is very important mainly because we’ve come so-far from so little,” he explained. “I’m a first-generation racer and without significant personal finances, I’ve been able to establish myself in the motorsport’s world, win races and grow a recognizable brand. Stopping now would only disregard all the hard work and sacrifices to this point.
“I’m not giving up anytime soon.”
Through his trials and tribulations, Rodgers’ devotion to becoming a NASCAR driver never dissipated and in fact, he aspires to return to the circuit this season.
In an exclusive interview with CATCHFENCE.com, Rodgers said he is hopeful to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series this season if adequate funding could be obtained.
“Making my Cup debut this season would mean a ton, not only for me but all of my supporters throughout my racing career,” Rodgers told CATCHFENCE.com. “Making a start at the premier level of NASCAR would be a positive thing given some of our recent challenges with sponsors falling through and a string of tough mechanical luck.”
With few options on the table to conquer his goal, knowing that competing for a team that is limited on resources doesn’t bother Rodgers.
He has been in that position before and has been able to excel with other less-funded teams by getting the most out of the race vehicle and the best finish possible.
“Regardless of how we would run, it would be a move in the right direction to establish me further in the racing world,” added Rodgers.
Rodgers says his NASCAR intentions this season doesn’t stop in Austin, Texas. He is hopeful to compete at the remainder of the road courses on the Cup schedule while sprinkling in other races in either the Truck Series or Xfinity Series on both oval and road courses.
“My hope is to run more than just one Cup race this season,” he mentioned. “I’m eyeing the remaining Cup road courses along with a handful of other National series races on both ovals and road courses. It’s important that I continue showing my abilities at all types of tracks, and not remain “the road course guy.”
Aside from his path to continue his existence in the sport, so far Rodgers has had a busy 2023 in just three and a half months.
“So far, 2023 has been a busy one,” explained Rodgers. “I’ve committed to working for Trans Am and a GR Cup team, Nitro Motorsports as their driver coach.
“I have plans to compete in the Toyota GR Cup series full-time as well. It’s busy, but I would not have it any other way.”
Even with his on-track endeavors, Rodgers still manages to find time to promote his Will Rodgers Live Health Foundation.
“Aside from racing, I continue to operate my 501(C)3 organization, promoting liver health, providing in-need communities with access to screening, and linking people to the care they need,” sounded Rodgers.
Through his journey, Rodgers has embraced a lot, but it hasn’t rattled his confidence instead the experiences have allowed him to grow and become a better person.
“As a racer, I feel like I’m so close to putting all the pieces together,” he said. “Not only have I performed when earned opportunities behind the wheel happen, but I’ve found other ways to grow as a person and find unexpected passions, specifically when it comes to health education and inclusivity.
“I just need to find that one last puzzle piece to make it all work together.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at: [email protected].
