Bo Butner leaves Houston with eyes set on redemption
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 24, 2022) – The NHRA SpringNationals set the stage for a dramatic end of an era as the facility is set to close its doors, and Bo Butner was eager to etch his name into the history book as the final Pro Stock winner there. Houston Raceway had been the site of his long awaited first win in the class, and it would have been a fitting conclusion; however, it was not to be. Butner exited in the second round and is eager to get to the next race on tour for redemption.
"We are seeing these glimmers of hope with my JHG Chevy Camaro, but we haven't yet seen what it's fully capable of," said Butner, an 11-time Pro Stock winner and the 2017 Pro Stock world champion. "I can't say enough about the guys who are putting in all the time and effort to get this on the right track, and we know it's going to happen. It's all hands on deck, because we all have the same goal."
Butner qualified in the No. 9 position with his Johnson's Horsepowered Garage-branded Pro Stock car with a best time of 6.582-second at 209.43 mph, and he got a lucky break in the first round when Mason McGaha fouled out by .012-second as Butner rattled the tires and slowed to a nine-second pass.
Without lane choice in the second round, he was at an immediate disadvantage, but the seasoned racer left the starting line five-thousandths ahead of opponent Camrie Caruso to gain a slight edge. Unfortunately, Butner's racecar took a turn towards the centerline and, although he got it under control, knocked a timing block loose. His pass was disqualified.
"We're still looking at what, exactly, went wrong there," said Butner. "But I know we'll get it sorted out. Rick Jones built this racecar, and he was here with his son, Rickie, watching our runs. I'm confident we'll be on track in time for the next race."
The next race for the Pro Stock category will take place at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, when the NHRA New England Nationals are contested June 3-5, 2022.
Qualifying results:
Q1: 6.582-second, 209.43 mph (No. 9)
Q2: 6.591, 208.42 (No. 9)
Q3: 6.616, 194.30 (No. 9)
Raceday results:
R1: Bo Butner defeated Mason McGaha, (.017-second reaction time) 9.917-second pass at 96.07 mph to (-.012 red light foul) 6.609, 208.33
R2: Camrie Caruso def. Bo Butner, (.051) 6.624, 208.81 to (.046) 9.771, 93.6
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(unofficial after Houston, race 5 of 18)
- Erica Enders, 471
- Aaron Stanfield, 389
- Kyle Koretsky, 345
- Dallas Glenn, 305
- Greg Anderson, 291
- Mason McGaha, 279
- Camrie Caruso, 272
- Bo Butner, 247
- Troy Coughlin Jr., 223
- Rodger Brogdon, 220