During a career working as a potter in Trenton, New Jersey,[2] Rogers began racing in 1946 as a last-minute fill in after his brother-in-law, a regular auto racer, was injured before a race.[3] Rogers performed strongly in the event, and was offered a ride. Later that year, diving a car once owned by Joie Chitwood,[4] Rogers won a Championship event at the Metrolina Fairgrounds near Charlotte, North Carolina.[5]