Charlotte 4-Wide Qualifying Report: Bo Butner and the JHG Chevrolet No. 11
CHARLOTTE (April 29, 2023) – After four rounds of four-wide qualifying at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at illustrious zMAX Dragway, Bo Butner and his Johnson's Horsepowered Garage Chevrolet Camaro are poised to strike from the No. 11 position.
"That position doesn't show what we've actually seen here and what we know we're capable of with this JHG Pro Stocker," said Butner, who was No. 4 on the sheets on Friday before coming into a day that brought different conditions and the chance for the team to find the tune for whatever raceday may bring. "I look forward to tomorrow and the opportunity to show everyone what we can do."
In the first round of qualifying, Butner made an efficient though not-quite-satisfying 6.598-second pass at 208.88 mph to take temporary residence in the No. 7 position. In the later round on Friday, after a plethora of very long delays, Butner and his JHG team found the groove and laid down a brisk 6.576, 207.85 to move up to No. 4.
On Saturday in Charlotte, however, back-to-back 6.57-second passes did not allow any upward movement for Butner, and he fell to No. 11 on the qualifying sheet. His first-round quad will include Kyle Koretsky as well as fellow Elite Motorsports-powered drivers Jerry Tucker and Erica Enders.
"It'll be a challenge," said Butner. "Anyone in that quad can win it – heck, anyone out here can win this race tomorrow. It's the toughest it's ever been, and racing four-wide makes it even tougher. But we're ready, and we've got a chance. There were 23 cars here trying to get one of these 16 spots, and we're one of the lucky ones. We have to make the most of it."
Butner has won at 15 different racetracks on the national circuit, but Charlotte is one of seven facilities on the current tour where he has yet to claim a trophy in any category. He has, however, been to multiple final rounds at zMAX Dragway. In 2013, Butner was runner-up to Anthony Fetch in Stock at the fall race in Charlotte; in 2016 he was runner-up in Pro Stock to Jason Line at this event; and in the spring of 2019, he was runner-up to Bill Skillman in Factory Stock.
"You want to win at every track, of course," said 2017 Pro Stock champion Butner, a 29-time national event winner who owns trophies in six different categories. "We have two chances a year to get it done here at one of the nicest racetracks we go to, and I'd like to get it out of the way this weekend. Then we can come back here in the fall and try to do it again.
"We've won four-wide before [Las Vegas 2019], and hopefully we'll put this Johnson's Horsepowered Garage car in the winner's circle and get another one tomorrow."
Eliminations for the 13th annual Circle K NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte are scheduled to take place at 12:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 30.
Qualifying Results:
Q1: 6.598-second at 208.88 mph (No. 7)
Q2: 6.576, 207.85 (No. 4)
Q3: 6.577, 209.14 (No. 11)
Q4: 6.579, 207.82 (No. 11)
Round one quad:
Bo Butner vs. Kyle Koretsky, Jerry Tucker, Erica Enders
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(unofficial) after at Charlotte 1 qualifying, race 5 of 18
1. Dallas Glenn, 400
2. Troy Coughlin Jr., 341
3. Matt Hartford, 339
4. Camrie Caruso, 296
5. Aaron Stanfield, 265
6. Bo Butner, 248
7t. Greg Anderson, 238
7t. Cristian Cuadra, 238
9. Kyle Koretsky, 235
10. Deric Kramer, 226