Indy Qualifying: Bo Butner and the JHG Chevrolet Camaro No. 10
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 3, 2023) – Qualifying is complete at the 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals, and Bo Butner and his Johnson's Horsepowered Garage Chevrolet Camaro are picking up steam just in time. Butner will start from the No. 10 position and race Fernando Cuadra Jr. in the first round of eliminations at the world's biggest and most prestigious drag race.
Butner, a 29-time national event winner with trophies earned in six different categories, had an exceptional race last year at this event when he illuminated seven win lights during eliminations at the 2022 U.S. Nationals to claim the second of his now three Super Gas wins. The race is also special because it's home for Indiana native Butner, who was runner-up in Comp at the 2004 U.S. Nationals and reached the final round in Pro Mod at the third Indy race in 2020.
A U.S. Nationals Pro Stock win is still missing from his scorecard, and he's aiming at picking it up on Monday. After five rounds of qualifying, Butner's best time was a 6.617-second pass at 207.34 mph, and the very promising run in the fourth session was quicker than everyone but JHG teammate Erica Enders.
"That was a great run," said Butner. "The guys got up to the top end to meet me, and they were all smiling. That's what we've been looking for, and we're hoping for that to carry on through to tomorrow. We've maybe got a few things ironed out, and I'm feeling comfortable in the car. It helps that we're out here racing the Sportsman cars, too. You never know, maybe some of the luck we had here last year stuck with us."
Butner's first-round meeting with Cuadra will mark the second time this season that the two have raced. The last time they squared off was in the second round at Phoenix, where Butner defeated his Elite Motorsports teammate and raced all the way to the final round.
"We're just excited right now," said Butner. "That win last year was awesome, and I'd sure like another one of those Indy trophies. They're just so special, and I know it would mean a lot to this whole team to be able to get our first win together. Maybe tomorrow is our day."
Eliminations at the 69th Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 4.
Qualifying Results:
Q1: 11.268-second at 130.27 mph (No. 15)
Q2: 6.704, 207.53 (No. 14)
Q3: 6.661, 206.89 (No. 14)
Q4: 6.617, 207.34 (No. 10, +3 bonus points)
Q5: 6.638, 207.91 (No. 10)
First round opponent: Fernando Cuadra Jr.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(unofficial) after at Indianapolis qualifying, race 12 of 18
1. Dallas Glenn, 1,084
2. Matt Hartford, 817
3. Deric Kramer, 782
4. Troy Coughlin Jr., 771
5. Erica Enders, 756
6. Greg Anderson, 725
7. Aaron Stanfield, 715
8. Camrie Caruso, 626
9. Kyle Koretsky, 608
10. Cristian Cuadra, 556
11. Bo Butner, 524
Butner, a 29-time national event winner with trophies earned in six different categories, had an exceptional race last year at this event when he illuminated seven win lights during eliminations at the 2022 U.S. Nationals to claim the second of his now three Super Gas wins. The race is also special because it's home for Indiana native Butner, who was runner-up in Comp at the 2004 U.S. Nationals and reached the final round in Pro Mod at the third Indy race in 2020.
A U.S. Nationals Pro Stock win is still missing from his scorecard, and he's aiming at picking it up on Monday. After five rounds of qualifying, Butner's best time was a 6.617-second pass at 207.34 mph, and the very promising run in the fourth session was quicker than everyone but JHG teammate Erica Enders.
"That was a great run," said Butner. "The guys got up to the top end to meet me, and they were all smiling. That's what we've been looking for, and we're hoping for that to carry on through to tomorrow. We've maybe got a few things ironed out, and I'm feeling comfortable in the car. It helps that we're out here racing the Sportsman cars, too. You never know, maybe some of the luck we had here last year stuck with us."
Butner's first-round meeting with Cuadra will mark the second time this season that the two have raced. The last time they squared off was in the second round at Phoenix, where Butner defeated his Elite Motorsports teammate and raced all the way to the final round.
"We're just excited right now," said Butner. "That win last year was awesome, and I'd sure like another one of those Indy trophies. They're just so special, and I know it would mean a lot to this whole team to be able to get our first win together. Maybe tomorrow is our day."
Eliminations at the 69th Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 4.
Qualifying Results:
Q1: 11.268-second at 130.27 mph (No. 15)
Q2: 6.704, 207.53 (No. 14)
Q3: 6.661, 206.89 (No. 14)
Q4: 6.617, 207.34 (No. 10, +3 bonus points)
Q5: 6.638, 207.91 (No. 10)
First round opponent: Fernando Cuadra Jr.
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(unofficial) after at Indianapolis qualifying, race 12 of 18
1. Dallas Glenn, 1,084
2. Matt Hartford, 817
3. Deric Kramer, 782
4. Troy Coughlin Jr., 771
5. Erica Enders, 756
6. Greg Anderson, 725
7. Aaron Stanfield, 715
8. Camrie Caruso, 626
9. Kyle Koretsky, 608
10. Cristian Cuadra, 556
11. Bo Butner, 524