Pro Stock drag racing is very much a family sport, and proof of that can be found with a single walk through the pit area on any given weekend. Under the awnings in each individual camp are moms and dads, husbands and wives, kids, grandparents, cousins, and friends, and while the driver and crew are hard at work preparing their respective Chevrolet Camaros or Dodge Darts for the next run, some of those with a front row seat are actually catching a glimpse of their own future.
Sometimes, those individuals are asked to help out here and there, perhaps rolling tires to the back of the pit or wiping off the front end of Dad’s car with a blue cloth. Or, sometimes, those young men and women are afforded the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat in the pit area for a few precious moments. And, sometimes, that feels right. Other times, it doesn’t.
The truth is, you just don’t know what the future holds – but it’s darn exciting for those around the next generation to consider the possibilities.
Cody Anderson, son of four-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson, got his feet wet working as a crew member on the Jim Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro driven by Bo Butner two weeks ago at the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas.
“Bo asked me to help him out, and so I decided to take him up on the offer,” said Anderson, who was assigned to the back-half of Butner’s KB Racing-powered Jim Butner Auto Sales Chevrolet Camaro. “I’ve helped on Dad’s team before, but working with Bo and the guys was something I’d never really done. I worked on the rear-end and helped Darrel (Herron, crew chief), and it was a lot of fun. It’s a good group of guys.”
For Butner, having the younger Anderson on board for the weekend was a pleasure.
“I was going to be short-handed for Vegas, so I asked him if he’d like to help,” said Butner. “I made him a good offer, just to get him to do it, and it actually turned out very, very well. He learned a lot from Darrel, and I 100% trust Cody. He’s been around this stuff from before he was even born. It was a good weekend, and he’s more than welcome. Always.”
Although 17-year-old Anderson’s future as an NHRA Pro Stock crew member, crew chief, or driver hasn’t exactly been decided, he is open to the possibility.
“I don’t know. That’s a tough question, but maybe someday,” said Anderson, when asked if he would pursue an active position in Pro Stock down the road. “I think I’d rather drive than work on the crew or be a crew chief. If the opportunity arises to drive a Pro Stock car, I’d take it.”
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