Bo Butner and the #JHGDriven team target one last chance for a 2022 trophy on Sunday at the NHRA Finals
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2022) – It's been a year of learning and growth for Bo Butner and the Johnson's Horsepowered Garage Chevrolet Camaro team, and the hopeful, ever-improving group enter the final raceday of the 2022 season of NHRA's Camping World Drag Racing Series with a big and important goal ahead: to close out the year with the win they've been chasing since February.
On Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, they could very well see their goal reached as Butner has one of the strongest cars in competition. In Saturday qualifying, he gained two bonus points as one of the quickest of the session. He is No. 7 in the line-up and will race Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the first round of eliminations.
"I feel very good about how qualifying went with our JHG Chevy Camaro," said Butner, an 11-time Pro Stock winner and the 2017 Pro Stock world champion. "Counting Vegas [the most recent event on the tour], we've made like nine consecutive good runs. Any one of those runs could win a round. I think we've found a good combo."
Butner was out of the gate in qualifying with an efficient 6.550-second pass at 210.87 mph that set him initially into the No. 7 spot. He improved in the later session on Friday with a crisp 6.528, 210.11 to move up to No. 5.
On Saturday, he made back-to-back 6.53-second passes and had top speed with a 211.56 mph run in the early session. Although he fell back a couple of spots in the order, Butner was still one of the quickest amongst his peers and claimed two bonus points. The multi-category racer believes he and his dedicated team can get it done in Pro Stock on Sunday.
"We've really grown together this year," said Butner. "There was a learning curve between me, the crew, and the car – and I'm very happy with how it's all worked out. I'm looking forward to next year, but first we've got some work to do. It's all about tomorrow. If we can pick up a couple of round wins, we'll be looking good to maybe get into the top 10. We'd love to end this year with the win we've been after for so long. I'd love it for this team and for Jason and Nikki Johnson, our awesome sponsors and friends."
Qualifying results:
Q1: 6.550-second, 210.87 mph (No. 7)
Q2: 6.528, 210.11 (No. 5)
Q3: 6.532, 211.565 (No. 7)
Q4: 6.533, 210.41 (No. 7, +2 bonus points)
Raceday results:
R1: Bo Butner vs. Fernando Cuadra Jr.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
after NHRA Finals qualifying, race 19 of 19
1. Erica Enders, 2,733
2. Aaron Stanfield, 2,515
3. Troy Coughlin Jr., 2,508
4. Greg Anderson, 2,461
5. Kyle Koretsky, 2,459
6. Dallas Glenn, 2,375
7. Matt Hartford, 2,367
8. Cristian Cuadra, 2, 265
9. Deric Kramer, 2,259
10. Mason McGaha, 2,241
11. Bo Butner, 2,235
On Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, they could very well see their goal reached as Butner has one of the strongest cars in competition. In Saturday qualifying, he gained two bonus points as one of the quickest of the session. He is No. 7 in the line-up and will race Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the first round of eliminations.
"I feel very good about how qualifying went with our JHG Chevy Camaro," said Butner, an 11-time Pro Stock winner and the 2017 Pro Stock world champion. "Counting Vegas [the most recent event on the tour], we've made like nine consecutive good runs. Any one of those runs could win a round. I think we've found a good combo."
Butner was out of the gate in qualifying with an efficient 6.550-second pass at 210.87 mph that set him initially into the No. 7 spot. He improved in the later session on Friday with a crisp 6.528, 210.11 to move up to No. 5.
On Saturday, he made back-to-back 6.53-second passes and had top speed with a 211.56 mph run in the early session. Although he fell back a couple of spots in the order, Butner was still one of the quickest amongst his peers and claimed two bonus points. The multi-category racer believes he and his dedicated team can get it done in Pro Stock on Sunday.
"We've really grown together this year," said Butner. "There was a learning curve between me, the crew, and the car – and I'm very happy with how it's all worked out. I'm looking forward to next year, but first we've got some work to do. It's all about tomorrow. If we can pick up a couple of round wins, we'll be looking good to maybe get into the top 10. We'd love to end this year with the win we've been after for so long. I'd love it for this team and for Jason and Nikki Johnson, our awesome sponsors and friends."
Qualifying results:
Q1: 6.550-second, 210.87 mph (No. 7)
Q2: 6.528, 210.11 (No. 5)
Q3: 6.532, 211.565 (No. 7)
Q4: 6.533, 210.41 (No. 7, +2 bonus points)
Raceday results:
R1: Bo Butner vs. Fernando Cuadra Jr.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
after NHRA Finals qualifying, race 19 of 19
1. Erica Enders, 2,733
2. Aaron Stanfield, 2,515
3. Troy Coughlin Jr., 2,508
4. Greg Anderson, 2,461
5. Kyle Koretsky, 2,459
6. Dallas Glenn, 2,375
7. Matt Hartford, 2,367
8. Cristian Cuadra, 2, 265
9. Deric Kramer, 2,259
10. Mason McGaha, 2,241
11. Bo Butner, 2,235