LOOKing back at Bo Butner's first Super Gas win! by Kelly Wade
March 22, 2020
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In the Sportsman ranks at the 2019 NHRA Sonoma Nationals, then-Pro Stock points leader Bo Butner debuted in the Super Gas category driving a '63 Chevrolet Corvette roadster that he had recently acquired. As he did when he debuted in Super Street at the Columbus Sportsnationals in 2014, Butner won his very first attempt in the class.
I knew coming into this that the car was good. I'm very happy with it, said Butner following the event. But you ask yourself, do you keep racing it, or do you quit at one and done and have been perfect? Butner, who joined a handful of drivers (seven, to be exact) to have claimed victory in six different categories, did not leave it at one-and-done. He raced Super Gas through the end of the season and made it to two more final rounds – one at the Bowling Green divisional and another at the Brainerd national.
Butner purchased the car from West Coast racer Aaron Kinard. It was the same equipment in which Kinard finished No. 2 in the nation in 2018. Here is a shot of Aaron's Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals from Phoenix 2017
One of my friends, Ron Erks, had this car back in 2000, and I think he won the world championship with it. Aaron Kinard kept it good and maybe even made it better, said the driver who is now a 27-time NHRA national event winner.
Butner defeated Linzi Meserve in the Sonoma final round, 9.949-second at 160.50 to 9.963, 158.76.
Really, I felt like we were very lucky this weekend, he said. But the guys helping me, like Kyle Seipel, Justin Lamb, Pete Biondo and all those guys and they're some of the world's best ever, and I have a lot of faith in them.
Randi Lyn Shipp, fiancŽe and seven-time Stock Eliminator winner, is doing her own math, and she's right there with them on what to dial. I feel very confident with all that help. It's a good feeling. They had it done right.
The Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stocker was also on par in Sonoma. Butner qualified No. 4 and went to the semifinals, where he fell to Alex Laughlin. "It's a lot of fun driving more than one car at a race, and believe it or not it keeps my mind off the other stuff. I always race better with two cars," said Butner, who has won in Pro Stock, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Street, and Super Gas.
At the beginning of the 2020 season of NHRA's Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Butner was already doubling down on his chances to win as he entered in Top Sportsman for the first time behind the wheel of Jack Hodge's Cobra Jet Mustang. Look for Butner to race the full SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown class in 2020 as well, once the NHRA season reignites.
Top Dragster from Gainesville
March 20, 2020
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Coming down from Chester MD in Division 1, Alden Miller made it to Rd 3 where he lost to eventual runner up Anthony Bertozzi.
Despite leaving real hard, Vaughn Cauffield from Lake Placid FL failed to make the cut. Vaughn ended up number 33.
Al Kenny driving a Dan Page Top Dragster lost 1st round, Very unlike for the Kenny family.
Unfortunately for Marverick Palmatier, his Top Dragster was not able to qualify for the show. However it should be in contention for Best Appearing.
Arcadia FL's Richard Mills qualified number 30 in the Top Dragster presented by Vortech Superchargers category. Strong 200 mph entry.
Tony Positano, a strong Canadian entry qualified with a 6.47 at 211 mph. Tony failed to advance past 1st round.
William Brown's, Race Tech-Chevy Top Dragster ran 6.23 to capture the number 12 spot. However William was unable to make Rd 1
Mullis Race Cars Michael Kalin of Niagara Falls NY made it to Rd 3 where he redlighted against Les Feist .
Zach Sackman, Antron Brown crewman, entered Top Dragster at the Gators. However Zach lost in Rd 2 to Al Miller, Right lane, (0.001) 6.60 6.617 0.017, to Zach's (0.018) 6.14 6.161 0.021
Elite Race Cars Larry Strickland from Oxford FL powered his Chevy TD to number 17 spot. Not a good place when you have to run Anthony Bertozzi in Rd 1.
Wayne Landry showed No Fear putting his dragster in the number 10 spot with a fine 6.21 at 224 mph. Wane headed home to St. Bernard LA after a redlight in round 2.
Davis Custom Golf Carts sponsored Angela Travis made it to the semis where she lost to event winner Ross Laris.
Les Feist, past TD winner, took his number 7 qualifier to a semi final finsh. Les lost to Anthony Bertozzi.
Number 8 qualifier Steve Furr smokes the tires hard. Steve lost in round 3 when Travis came up with a triple zip light.
While some might say Anthony Bertozzi had a good weekend with 2 runnerup finishes, I doubt very much that Anthony was happy with it. Bertozzi has doubled up in the past I believe, and I think he was hoping to do it again.
The Top Dragster final was a stand-off between veteran racers Ross Laris, near lane, and Anthony Bertozzi. Laris launched first, .013 to .029, and put a 6.194 on the board that was just .004-second off his 6.19 dial. Bertozzi's 6.119 was too quick for his 6.13 target.
Top Dragster victor Ross Laris, of Raceland, La., reached the eighth final round of his career at the Amalie Motor Oils NHRA Gatornationals and picked up his third national event win.
Super Stock at Gainesville
March 20, 2020
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International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee, Roy Hill, speaks during the induction ceremony Thursday evening in Gainesville.
Slate Cummings and the Cumming boyz came over from Louisiana to run Super Stock in his 03 Cavalier. Slate redlighted in Rd 1 and stayed to cheer on the rest of the group.
Lucas Oil's Daniel Condon ran .84 under, however that was only good enough for number 27. Daniel's day came to an end in Rd 1
Eddie Longhany came down from Wade NC to run his 74 Duster in SS/KA. Eddie made it to Rd 3 where he lost to event winner David Latino.
Strong running Allen Wade ran his SS/CA 69 Camaro to a great .98 under good for number 7. Allen red-lighted in Rd 2.
Daniel Young, of Palm Harbor FL, took a break from classes to race his '96 Firebird. Daniel would get down to 7 cars before being defeated by race winner, David Latino.
The GT/JA entry of Charles Weber from Fewsburg NY is an absolutely clean looking 82 Camaro. It's a shame Charles went red in Rd 1
Former Pro Stock Driver, Drew Skillman, pilots his Factory Stock Ford Mustang during qualifying. Drew would start eliminations from the number nine spot.
James Caro of Houma LA shows whats underneath his '79 Volare with a high wheel stand during qualifying.
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Inductee, Roy Hill, wrinkles the tires on the launch of his Ford Mustang during qualifying.
Anthony Bertozzi pops a wheelie during eliminations on Friday. Bertozzi would race all the way to the finals where he was defeated by event winner, David Latino.
Recently engaged Brittany Boltz launches her Pontiac in eliminations on Friday. She would stay in the hunt for the win all the way to the semi-finals where she was defeated by event winner David Latino.
Latino finalized his first national event double when veteran Sportsman racer Anthony Bertozzi went red by .005-second in the Super Stock final.
Super Stock and Stock winner Latino became the 27th driver in NHRA history to accomplish the feat of earning two trophies in one event.
Super Gas from Gainesville
March 20, 2020
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1984 Dodge Omni driven by Jay Cepelka came down from Virginia to run the Gators in hopes of bringing home a Wally, however it wasn't to be.
Long time champion Sherman Adcock Jr didn't get the weekend he was looking for after a breakout loss to Greg Slack in Rd 1.
Longmont CO's Tim Parker decided to get out of the cold and come play in Florida. However his day was cut short as a breakout by .003 against David Morris put him on the trailer in Rd 2
Very clean 69 Camero of Rudy Matthews carries the front end each and every pass. Unfortunately, Rudy lost on a double breakout in Rd 1 to Rich Price.
Previous Super Gas World Champ Jim Perry made it to Rd 4 before falling victim to eventual runner up Greg Slack.
John Taylor came ready to fight for the Super Gas win, however getting paired with Jonathan Anderson, the event winner, in Rd 1 was his downfall.
Gainesville resident Gene Quinn borrowed his daughter Lauren's 74 Vega and went right on through to the Semis.
Judi Nuest looks on as Dwight Nuest leaves the line on a Friday time trial. Dwight and Johnny Labbous had identical 9.906 ETs, however Johns better light gave him the win.
Division 2 Champion John Labbous got by Rd 1 with a win, however simi finalist Matt Tankersley took him out in Rd 2
Some crazy graphics on Rich Pica's 84 Corvette. Rich lost in the early rounds.
I've got a thing for 77 Vega Wagons. I've always thought a twin turbo SBC street machine would be great. Ron Orbin has a nice example he brought down from New Jersey. Ron went out in Rd 3
Nearby Naples Fl racer Tommy Turner brought his 63 Corvette to Gainesville to compete in Super Gas. Tommy is a multi event winner in a couple of classes.
Larry Roedel's '27-T Ford is a looker. A breakout pass in Rd 3 sent him home though.
Ford Fairlanes make way cool race cars, be it Stock, Super Stock or Super Gas. Robbie Welch has a very clean example of one running Super Gas.
Randy Shipp's 60 Corvette is a prime example of simplistic excellence. Randy is from Whiteland IN and his car would be as much at home in a car show as on a drag strip.
North Carolina's Johnny Cobb's 27 Ford hikes up the wheels during a time trial.
Matt Tankersley's Super Gas GTO is just as beautiful as his gold Super Comp one. Matt made to the finals where he lost to Jonathan Anderson.
Ohio Crankshaft sponsored Rusty Cook in his 99 Corvette where he lost to his good friend Jim Perry.
The 92 Beretta of Wayne Kelley ran it out in Rd 2 losing to Jim Morrison on a breakout.
John Sikish made to the Quarter Finals where he fell to Jonathan Anderson
Here is another shot of Gene Quinn in the 74 Vega. Gene is a past Super Gas winner in his Corvette at Atlanta a few years back.
The Super Gas final pitted Jonathan Anderson, near lane, against Greg Slack. The two were just .002-second apart as they launched, and when Slack took too much of the finish-line stripe, Anderson snagged the win, 9.910 on the 9.90 to a 9.884.
He wasn't exactly a newbie, but Jonathan Anderson had only been in his '63 Corvette roadster a week before winning the Super Gas title at the 51st annual Amalie Motor Oils NHRA Gatornationals. Quick adaptation to his new ride called for a hearty winner's circle celebration. Super Comp from Gainesville
March 19, 2020
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Arkansas racer Bob Fuller ventured out to Florida only to fall victim to young Dylan Hough from Junction City OR. Bob ran too quick in Rd 2.
David Markle brought the Markle Racing Super Comp car down from Division 1. David did not have the weekend he was looking for.
Last years Super Comp winner Hollis Laris returned to defend his title, only to be turned back in the early rounds.
Chuck Trotter from MacClenny FL, brought his 88 Thunderbird to compete in Super Comp. We had a large selection of full bodied cars this year.
Jeg's sponsored Makenna Brown had her dragster dialed in, running an 8.90 with a 6 to take out Dave Long in Rd 2
Heavy hitter Lauren Freer from Moorseville NC. made it to Rd 4 before losing to event winner Ray Miller III
Dylan Hough ventured down to Gainesville with mom Mindy and dad Bryan. While the Alcohol Cars were postponed, Dylan got to race. Eventual runner up Ken Moses took Dylan out in the Semis.
James and Kathy Woeber paired off together during time trials. Better there than eliminations, unless it's the final.
Dave Dahlem, out of Tremont IL, broke out second round giving the win to Alison Prose.
Multi National event winner John Labbous smokes the hides during time trials.
In what looks like a street car, Joseph Tankersley's GTO carries the front wheels each and every launch. Tankersley lost in Rd 2 to Nichole Stephenson.
Charlie Stewart had to have what was arguably one of the best looking 1958 Corvettes we've seen. Unfortunately it was a long ride back to Texas after a Round 1 loss.
Scot Lamar from hereby Hawthorne FL. did not cut the light he needed to take out David Morris in Rd 1.
Jason Kenny had an off day in round 1 with an unusual redlight.
The Cumming family showed up in mass, to compete in sportsman racing here at Gainesville, Here is Cole Cummings during a time trial.
Michelle Furr from Galax VA came to win, however a breakout in Rd 1 put her on the trailer.
In what was to be his Pro Stock debut, Troy Coughlin Jr had to settle for semi final finish in Super Comp.
Jason Bator takes a breather prior to Rd 1 in Super Comp.
Kathy Woeber in her beautiful Wild Fire dragster got by Rd 1 only to have her weekend spoiled by Dick Morris in Rd 2
Kenneth Moses took on most comers and came out on top. Until he got to the final and Ray Miller III just had a package that Kenneth couldn't beat.
Reigning Super Comp world champion Ray Miller III, near lane, was .007 at the tree and 8.905 on the 8.90 index to defeat Ken Moses, who was a respectable .029 with an 8.927. Miller got the jump after a little bit of a staging duel and put together a .012 package that was right in line with his previous stellar performances of the day.
Millers lined up to run, Ray Miller Jr in front and Ray Miller III behind him. And Ray Miller Sr. on the side lines cheering them on.
Ray Miller III won his eighth national event trophy at the Sportsman-only version of the Amalie Motor Oils NHRA Gatornationals. It was his third victory in the Super Comp category. |
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