NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Stampede of Speed was a grand extravaganza, and one that drew a plethora of NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors for both the divisional and national events. Among the sea of Sportsman racers was an unexpected face behind the wheel of a familiar race car; respected NHRA announcer and WFO Radio host Joe Castello tried his hand in Super Comp there at Texas Motorplex for the first time.

Castello, driving the Jim Butner Auto Group (JBA) Super Comp dragster out of the Bo Butner Racing stable, entered the division race with the encouragement of longtime Sportsman racers Bo and Randi Lyn Butner.

“Bo knew that I’m building Project Pontiac and trying to get grading points to eventually run a national event with my Super Street car, and he’s been saying that I should drive one of his cars,” said Castello, referencing the '78 Pontiac Trans Am that started as the family car and eventually became a race machine.

“When they put the divisional in Dallas, it was the perfect opportunity,” continued Castello. “We were both going to be here, and his Super Comp dragster was available, so he put me in it.”

Castello had driven a dragster before and has kept up his Super Comp license, but it had been more than two decades since he’d run it – though in February of this year, racer Jimmy Stahl allowed Castello to make three runs in his car to upgrade his license to Top Dragster.

“But in NHRA competition, it was a little different – mostly on the burnout,” said Castello, noting the difference in driving a car with a line lock vs. one without. “My first burnout was not great, but the second burnout was much better. By the third run, I was up to speed, according to Bo. I felt great.”

After a pair of time trials, Castello rolled right into eliminations.

“Going into competition, I was feeling aggressive,” he said. “I wanted to change the way I had run the previous two runs. I was getting used to the car, and I [had been] a little apprehensive because I’m not in something that I own, and I know Bo’s equipment is amazing, beautiful, and expensive. I wanted to do everything right, but on race day, I put all of that out of my mind and got into attack mode

“The first day, I was on defense, learning. The second day, I was on offense. I did a hard burnout, backed up fast, staged quick. I did everything the way that was acceptable to me and also to Bo. I felt really good about my race-day performance, and Bo was very excited about it.”

Although the dreaded red-light flashed and ended Castello’s journey in the first round, he was exceedingly grateful and pleased with the experience.

Butner was so pleased that he wanted Castello to take his place in the car for the national event the next day, but they learned that rules do not permit a last-minute driver change in that manner. When Butner suggested it to Castello initially, the speaker-by-trade was taken somewhat aback.

“I said, ‘But Bo, you’re supposed to run the FallNationals,’ “ recalled Castello. “He was doing something, and he put it down, looked at me, and said, ‘Joe, if I don’t ever make another run down the racetrack, I’ll be OK. If I don’t ever win another Wally, I’ll be OK. Where I really get my fun and have a good time is helping Randi Lyn and helping people like you race a car.’ That made me feel great, and if he ever wants me to drive his car again, I will happily show up with my helmet.”

For now, Castello is content with the experience and looking forward to finishing Project Pontiac.

“Bo and Randi Lyn are two of the best people you’re going to meet; they’re friends of racers everywhere, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity,” said Castello. “The experience really helped me, personally, to understand what the racers are going through a little better. Everybody came over, and they were all so supportive. They were saying things like, ‘This is so cool for you to experience what we’re doing,’ and I’m like, ‘I feel like I’m one of you more so than anything else – I just happen to be announcing at these national events.’ It was a great experience for understanding the Lucas Oil racer. It was amazing.”

Butner, who has had a number of other racers take a turn in one of his entries, said that he would enjoy other NHRA community members to give it a shot.

“Everybody needs to be a part of it and see it from this side of things,” he said. “It means a lot to the racers for those guys to be part of it, and they loved Joe being out here and doing this. Joe is no dummy, and he did such a good job. By the first round, he changed how he was releasing the button and did a perfect burnout. I wish I had more runs with him. He knows what he’s doing – I didn’t have to teach him a lot, and I can’t wait to maybe get him in another car. I was pumped up, it was so much fun.”

Photos courtesy of Elon Werner.