NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Bo Butner has been fortunate enough to drive a number of different successful cars throughout his time racing in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Sportsman ranks.

Now in his second season racing in Pro Stock in NHRA’s marquee Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Butner may have found the best situation yet in his racing career. Butner is part of the three-car KB Racing team with standouts and world champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, and the 15-time Sportsman winner has quickly taken advantage of the opportunity.

Butner has two final-round appearances in five races, one No. 1 qualifying spot, and is currently third in points, behind only Line and Anderson in the young 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. Butner appears to be inching closer to his first career Pro Stock victory at the controls of his Jim Butner Auto Chevrolet Camaro, and it could happen at the 29th annual NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, April 29-May 1.

“You get spoiled because I’ve been lucky enough to hop in a lot of good cars, but this feels great, and I am real happy to start the season like this,” Butner said. “It’s been a great start to the season, but some other teams are catching up. Our goal is to try to be first through third the whole year and try to finish that way. It’s motivating not just for me but everyone that helps us. My crew guys, they want to win, and that’s great to have that on your shoulder. With a car like this, I feel like a win is coming.”

Last year’s winners of the event, which takes place just east of downtown Houston, were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), and local favorite Erica Enders (Pro Stock). The race will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). The tradition-rich race near Houston is the sixth of 24 in the 2016 season, and it hasn’t taken long for Butner to get the hang of the new-look Pro Stock cars.

The sleek new Pro Stock cars feature fuel-injected engines, shorter wheelie bars, flat hoods, and a 10,500-rpm rev limiter, but the entire KB Racing team has been a step ahead of the talented class through four events. Anderson and Line have swapped victories at all four races, with Line’s victory at the most recent race in Las Vegas came against Butner in the final round.

Line has advanced to the final round at every event so far and sits atop the points standings, but Butner said the early-season success has only pushed the team harder.

“That’s what is amazing about these guys and all the teams,” Butner said. “None of them are satisfied, and none of them ever quit working. It’s a lot of fine-tuning right now. For some reason, my car was a lot happier than Greg’s or Jason’s in Vegas for most of the weekend. It’s funny how it changes from race to race, but everyone keeps working. They’ve tested two to three times since then, and it’s a group that’s not scared to work. It says a lot about this team.”

Each of the three have qualified in the No. 1 spot, with Butner claiming top qualifying honors in Phoenix. He’s quickly shown that his talents translate well to Pro Stock, even dating back to his rookie season a year ago. After a slow start, Butner was impressive down the stretch, advancing to two semifinals and one final round over the final five races.

That has carried over to 2016, even with the vast changes in the class. Butner has improved on his qualifying positions and has adapted to the new car in a hurry.

“I’m not saying it has been easy, but it seemed like the transition for these three cars has gone very smooth,” Butner said. “That’s been very pleasing. Where I’ve been fortunate is I’ve driven so many different types of cars. They all drove different, and it was more just about self-discipline, concentration level, and staying focused. I would probably drive just about anything.

“This year, it’s still not been easy to drive, but it’s gone well. I’ve been fortunate enough to run fuel injection before, and I know they can have a mind of their own.”

Butner also knows there may be the occasional bump in the road despite the hot start. That’s a nod to the competition level in Pro Stock more than anything else. Enders claimed the victory in Houston last year en route to her second straight world championship, and other talented stars in the class include five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr.; Drew Skillman, last year’s top rookie; Vincent Nobile; Allen Johnson; and Texans Chris McGaha and Alex Laughlin.

But even when adversity comes, Butner knows his team will respond in a strong fashion.

“I’m not too worried,” Butner said. “I’m sure there’s going to be a time where we all don’t qualify well, but we’re capable of winning every race in one of these three cars. That’s what we’re looking forward to, and I feel like I’ve got a good shot to compete for a championship. I’m definitely fortunate to be a part of this team.”

The first round of Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will start at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, followed by the night session that will begin at 7 p.m. The final two rounds of qualifying will take place Saturday, April 30, at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 1.

For the Friday night qualifying session, there will be a special pre-race ceremony highlighting some of the nitro stars and will feature a special Ladies Night promotion. All female spectators will receive free admission with a reserved seat on the spectator side of the track. This offer is available for walk-up ticket purchases only. In another promotion, kids 13 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult ticket.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 281-383-7223 or visit www.royalpurpleraceway.com.