Quick field has Team Summit hungry for Sunday at the Summit Racing Nationals

June 22, 2019Leave a comment

photo credit: Auto Imagery

NORWALK, Ohio (June 22, 2019) – The 13th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals is an event that drivers look forward to all season long, especially the Summit Racing Pro Stock team. Drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line secured their positions in the top half of the field at an event where the No. 1 qualifier is just a handful of thousandths of a second ahead of the No. 6 seed heading into Sunday.

Anderson, driving the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, is the driver sitting sixth in the line-up.

“We missed it a little bit and shook the tires in Q3. You hate to ever lose a run in qualifying, because you learn every session – but we recovered and made a good lap there in that final qualifying round,” said Anderson, who recorded a best time of 6.562-second at 209.26 mph and scooped up a bonus point* in qualifying. He will race KB Racing-powered Fernando Cuadra in round one.

“We’ll have a little weather change tomorrow, so we knew we’d have to do things a little different then anyway,” he continued. “The crazy thing is that the top six cars are separated by three-thousandths of a second. We were scraping for those thousandths of a second trying to get the pole, and we ended up sixth. We didn’t get the break we needed, but my Summit Racing Chevy is a fast car.

“My teammate’s Summit Racing Chevy Camaro is a fast car, and under these tents over here at KB Racing, we have a whole bunch of them that are capable of winning the race. It’s going to be a fun day tomorrow.”

Line, wheeling the silver Summit Racing Chevy, clocked a best time of 6.560, 210.57 that came with three bonus points and the No. 4 position.

“You have to be perfect out there, because the cars are all very close right now,” said Line, who will race Val Smeland in round one. “Pro Stock is tough, but that’s what makes it fun. We want to put a Summit Racing Chevy Camaro in the winner’s circle tomorrow for Summit Racing, and we are very capable of making that happen. The racetrack is good from the starting line all the way down the track, so we should be able to go out there and race fast tomorrow.”

Teammate Bo Butner, whose Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro is powered by KB Racing, landed in the No. 10 position on a 6.574, 210.14. He is slated for a first-round meeting with Cuadra’s son, another KB Racing campaigner, Fernando Cuadra Jr.

Butner is also competing in the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown in his Summit Racing-branded Cobra Jet Mustang. There, he is the No. 3 qualifier with a killer 7.879, 179.79. He’ll race Arthur Kohn in round one.

“I’m excited for tomorrow, because I have two chances to get a trophy, one of them with our Summit Racing Cobra Jet Mustang,” said Butner. “That Factory Stock Showdown car has been awesome almost every run. We’ve struggled a little bit with our Pro Stock car, but those guys over there know what they’re doing. Anyone can win it, and I’ve had some luck here before – maybe tomorrow we can do it again.”

Final eliminations for the 13th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals are set for Sunday at 11am ET at Summit Motorsports Park.

*Bonus points are awarded in each qualifying session to the top three quickest cars, with the quickest of the round awarded three, second quickest gets two, and third quickest is awarded one additional point.

Jason Line
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Final qualifying position: No. 4
Results:
Q1: 6.583-second at 209.92 mph (No. 4)
Q2: 6.562, 210.18 (No. 5)
Q3: 6.560, 210.57 (No. 4, +3 bonus points)
Q4: 6.576, 210.83 (No. 4)

First round opponent: Val Smeland

Greg Anderson
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Final qualifying position: No. 6
Results:
Q1: 6.605-second at 210.37 mph (No. 7)
Q2: 6.562, 209.26 (No. 6)
Q3: 17.046, 56.09 (No. 6)
Q4: 6.573, 209.39 (No. 6, +1 bonus point)

First round opponent: Fernando Cuadra

Bo Butner
KB Racing, Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
Final qualifying position: No. 6
Results:
Q1: 6.613-second at 210.44 mph (No. 9)
Q2: 6.583, 210.44 (No. 10)
Q3: 15.575, 53.85 (No. 10)
Q4: 6.574, 210.14 (No. 10, +1 bonus point)

First round opponent: Fernando Cuadra Jr.

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(after Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals qualifying, race 7 of 18)

1. Bo Butner (4), 631
2. Alex Laughlin, 463
3. Jason Line, 428
4. Erica Enders, 427
5. Greg Anderson, 425
6. Matt Hartford, 421
7. Deric Kramer (1), 402
8. Jeg Coughlin (1), 365
9. Rodger Brogdon, 320
10. Chris McGaha, 310

Race Info
13th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 21-23, 2019

Summit Motorsports Park Track Records
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta, 3.709 (2017); Clay Millican, 332.67 (2018)
Funny Car
Matt Hagan, 3.865 (2017); Robert Hight, 334.65 (2017)
Pro Stock
Erica Enders, 6.523 (2014); Enders, 212.63 (2014)
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Eddie Krawiec, 6.822 (2016); Hector Arana Jr., 197.36 (2017)

Run Schedule (all times local)
Sunday, June 23
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin,
eliminations for all categories continue

#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Finals / Sunday – 6:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1
Bonus Coverage / Tuesday – 7-8 PM ET / FS1

Join the conversation by using @SummitRacing #NorwalkNats on social media

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

Team Summit Pre-Race Package NHRA Norwalk

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019Leave a comment

KB Racing, Pro Stock race 7 of 18

photo credit: Auto Imagery

Greg Anderson
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Car No.: PS7
Current points position: No. 5

Event-specific Notes:
• The race at Summit Motorsports Park is the title event for Summit Racing Equipment, KB Racing’s longtime sponsor. Greg Anderson and KB Racing teammate Jason Line have been under the Team Summit umbrella since 2004.
• Anderson, the driver of the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, went to the final round in Norwalk in three consecutive seasons, from 2015-17. He has three wins in five total final rounds there.
• Anderson has been steadily climbing in the Pro Stock standings this year. He reached the final round at back-to-back events in Las Vegas and Richmond to move up to No. 5 in the Pro Stock points.
• Anderson was the No. 1 qualifier and reached the semifinals at the most recent event on the Pro Stock schedule, the Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago

Driver Notes:
• 2019 is Anderson’s 21st season as a Pro Stock driver. He began his career as a crew member and then was crew chief for championship winning driver Warren Johnson before taking the reins of his own Pro Stock car in Columbus in 1998.
• Las Vegas-based Ken Black brought Anderson on board as a tuner, then a driver for KB Racing. They won their first race together in 2001. They have been racing together for nearly two decades and have, along with crew chief Rob Downing, built a team that now owns 154 national event wins and eight championships.
• Anderson is a four-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion (2003-05, 2010)
• Anderson is the most decorated Pro Stock driver on the current tour. He has 91 national event wins and is the second-most winning driver of all time in the category (W. Johnson has 97).

Anderson in Norwalk
3 wins in 5 final rounds
Runner-up 2017 (Bo Butner)
Runner-up 2016 (Jason Line)
Won 2015 (defeated Drew Skillman)
Won 2010 (defeated Allen Johnson)
Won 2008 (defeated Larry Morgan)
No. 1 in 2017, 2016, 2009, 2007
In 2018: Qualified No. 7, first round

Anderson’s Career Stats through 2019 Route 66 Nationals in Chicago
(most recent Pro Stock event)
4-time NHRA Pro Stock series champion (2003-05, 2010)
458 Pro Stock races
91 wins
62 runner-up finishes
153 overall final rounds
103 No. 1 qualifier awards
Career best e.t.: 6.457
Career best speed: 215.48

Quotes:
“My Summit Racing Chevy Camaro was fast in Chicago, and we’re excited to get to Summit Motorsports Park this weekend. We’ve got some momentum and worked hard over the past two weeks to make our cars even better. I knew what I needed to work on, personally, leaving Chicago, and I’ve been doing that. I feel good going into this race, I feel like we’re prepared, and I feel like if Mother Nature plays nice, we have a good chance on Sunday. We’ll start the week on Wednesday with the Summit Racing Equipment employee picnic, then Thursday we’ll get to have some fun with them at Summit Motorsports Park for our annual sponsor race. It’s just a great way to start the weekend, and it always gets us pumped up to do our best.”

Jason Line
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Car No.: PS5
Current points position: No. 4

Event-specific Notes:
• Line has won twice at Summit Motorsports Park, most recently in 2016 when he defeated Summit Racing teammate Greg Anderson in the final round. Overall, the two Summit Racing drivers have raced one another for the Pro Stock trophy 37 times. Anderson has 21 wins to Line’s 16 in all-team finals.

Driver Notes:
• Jason Line debuted a new Jerry Haas-built Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro at the 2019 Mello Yello Series season-opener in Pomona and wheeled it to the final round
• The driver of the silver Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro accumulated 600 Pro Stock round wins with his first-round victory in Richmond. It is the third most of any active driver in the category.
• The Mooresville, N.C.-based driver has 48 wins in Pro Stock and two in Stock Eliminator, one of NHRA’s premier Sportsman categories.
• In addition to driving for KB Racing, Line is the dyno operator at KB Racing and is part of the tuning team for the cars in the KB Racing stable
• Line has three NHRA Pro Stock world titles with KB Racing (2006, 2011, 2016), as well as one NHRA Sportsman championship earned in Stock Eliminator behind the wheel of his 1970 Buick Gran Sport (1993)
• His Pro Stock debut was in 2003 in Columbus behind the wheel of his 1970 Buick Gran Sport

Line in Norwalk
2 wins in 3 final rounds
Won 2016 (defeated Greg Anderson)
Runner-up 2012 (Vincent Nobile)
Won 2009 (defeated Mike Edwards)
No. 1 in 2008
In 2018: Qualified No. 2, second round

Line’s Career Stats through 2019 Route 66 Nationals in Chicago
(most recent Pro Stock event)
3-time NHRA Pro Stock series champion (2006, 2011, 2016)
1993 NHRA Stock Eliminator champion
362 Pro Stock races
48 Pro Stock wins
50 overall wins, including NHRA Sportsman and Professional categories
(2 Stock Eliminator, 48 Pro Stock)
52 runner-up finishes
100 Pro Stock final rounds
54 Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier awards
102 overall final rounds, including NHRA Sportsman and Professional competition
(2 Stock Eliminator, 100 Pro Stock)
Career best e.t.: 6.455
Career best speed: 215.17

Quotes:
“This is for sure one of our favorite races. The folks at Summit Racing Equipment always roll out the red carpet for us, and it’s an honor to race for them here at their event at Summit Motorsports Park. Our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros were good in Chicago, but we can be better. We spent a lot of time between races working on a few things, because there is no better way to thank the people who support us than by getting them a trophy on Sunday. We haven’t yet shown what we’re capable of this year, and I see this weekend as a perfect opportunity to do that.”

Bo Butner
KB Racing, Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
Car No.: PS8
Current points position: No. 1

Event-specific Notes:
• Bo Butner won the 2017 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in an all-KB Racing final round. Butner defeated Greg Anderson for the trophy. There have been 45 KB Racing finals in the history of the team; Butner has won five of them.
• Butner, flying the Summit Racing colors, will compete in the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in his 2019 Cobra Jet Mustang
• Butner was the winner of the very first Factory Stock Showdown, which took placed in Indy at the U.S. Nationals in 2012
• He has four previous FSS wins, including the 2015 trophy in Gainesville, and has been to the final round at two FSS events this season

Driver Notes:
• Butner, the 2017 NHRA Pro Stock world champion, won the first race of the 2019 season and then again in Gainesville, Las Vegas, and Richmond. He is the incoming points leader.
• Butner’s victory in Richmond was the 153rd Pro Stock win for KB Racing, the acclaimed group racing out of Ken Black’s shop in Mooresville, North Carolina. KB Racing-powered Deric Kramer won No. 154 for the team in Chicago, the most recent Pro Stock event on the tour.
• Last October, Butner decided to hang up his Pro driving gloves and return to his Sportsman racing roots to focus on the Jim Butner Auto Group family business and his growing family (his first grandchild was born just after Gainesville). When the schedule was shortened to 18 races, though, he was encouraged by his mom, Dottie, to reconsider.
• An accomplished NHRA Sportsman racer, Butner earned the Comp Eliminator championship in 2006 and has four Division 3 season titles
• Butner has 11 Pro Stock wins on his scorecard

Butner in Norwalk
Won 2017 (defeated Greg Anderson)
In 2018: Qualified No. 4; semifinals

Butner’s Career Stats through 2019 Route 66 Nationals in Chicago
(most recent Pro Stock event)
2017 NHRA Pro Stock champion
2006 Competition Eliminator champion
94 races
11 Pro Stock wins
13 Pro Stock runner-up finishes
24 overall Pro Stock final rounds
10 Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier awards
26 overall wins, including NHRA Sportsman competition
(11 Pro stock, 6 Comp Eliminator, 3 Super Stock, 5 Stock Eliminator, 1 Super Street)
53 overall final rounds, including NHRA Sportsman and Professional competition
(24 Pro Stock, 13 Comp Eliminator, 6 Super Stock, 7 Stock Eliminator, 1 Super Street, 2 SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown)
Career best e.t.: 6.475
Career best speed: 214.28

Quotes:
“I’m excited to race the Summit Racing Factory Stock Showdown Cobra Jet and my Pro Stock Chevy Camaro this weekend. We had Bristol off from both, and I’m ready to get back in these cars and have some fun. We get to go to Summit Racing headquarters on Wednesday and show our cars, tour the facility, and spend some time with all of the employees there, and that’s really cool. Summit Racing is a first-class business. It’ll be awesome.”

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(after Route 66 NHRA Nationals, race 6 of 18)

1. Bo Butner (4), 578
2. Alex Laughlin, 391
3. Erica Enders, 333
4. Jason Line, 370
5. Greg Anderson, 349
6. Matt Hartford, 359
7. Deric Kramer (1), 277
8. Jeg Coughlin (1), 330
9. Rodger Brogdon, 286
10. Chris McGaha, 273

Race Info
13th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, Ohio
June 21-23, 2019

Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, June 21
2:00 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 1
3:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
6:00 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 2
7:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2

Saturday, June 22
12:15 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 3
1:15 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
4:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4

Sunday, June 23
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin,
eliminations for all categories continue

#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Saturday – 12:30-1:30 AM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Saturday – 2-3 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 6:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1
Bonus Coverage / Tuesday – 7-8 PM ET / FS1

Join the conversation, use @SummitRacing #NorwalkNats

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

Progress and Projection with KB Racing Crew Chief Rob Downing

June 18, 2019Leave a comment

KB Racing’s Rob Downing, left, and Dave Connolly

Progress report following the Route 66 NHRA Nationals (race 6 of 18)
and ahead of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals

In Chicago:
Qualifying was really good, and we did a good job with the two Summit Racing Chevy Camaros. We ran well in the first round on Sunday, but we didn’t do the best job. We could have made better runs with both of them and been right there, but the good news is that every weekend, we’re still learning things – especially with Greg’s car. A KB Racing car won the race, and that’s great. All-in-all, it was a good weekend, and we’re looking forward to building on that. The last two races have been very positive, and we feel like we have something we can work with.

Overall grade:
I would go with C+ for Sunday. After qualifying, I would have said B+, but as a whole, we could have done better on race day. Unless you make perfect runs every time – and that’s hard to do – you really can’t give it an A for the weekend.

Any special plans for this race that takes place near Summit Racing headquarters?
We want to go to Summit Motorsports Park and do well for Summit Racing at their event. We’ve had good results there in the past, and we want to do well there again this weekend. We also have the opportunity to go to their headquarters on Wednesday for the Summit Racing Equipment employee picnic, and then we’ll have the sponsor race with them on Thursday evening the track. There is plenty going on, and we’re looking forward to all of the festivities. It’s always fun to hang out with the folks at Summit Racing; they’re good people.

What’s your favorite Summit Motorsports Park memory?
My dad, Lou Downing, was Grand Marshal at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals one year, and we won the race. He doesn’t normally come to that race, but he was there at the finish line when we won. It was great.

Butner fast in NHRA Topeka Factory Stock Showdown

June 9, 2019Leave a comment

photo credit: Auto Imagery

TOPEKA, Kan. (June 9, 2019) – After two consecutive final rounds in the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown, Bo Butner expected a lot coming into eliminations at the NHRA Heartland Nationals. Qualified in the No. 2 position in his Darrel Herron-crew chiefed, Jason Lee-tuned Summit Racing Cobra Jet Mustang with a best time of 8.045-second, Butner was well-poised to see four win lights. His semifinals finish was only a bit disappointing.

“We had a good weekend, but we need more testing. This class is just as tough as Pro Stock,” said Butner, whose 176.01 in qualifying was top speed of the event.

In the first round of eliminations, Butner left the starting line first with a .051-second reaction time to David Janac’s .068, and he continued his charge with a victorious 8.074, 171.71 to 8.080, 169.85. Butner’s Summit Racing Cobra Jet was fierce; his elapsed time was the quickest of the round.

Kevin Skinner cut a cool .015-second light in the second stanza, but Butner was right there with a .023 and made up ground quick, crossing the finish line first to win on a 7.983, 174.28 to his opponent’s 7.998, 172.54. It was a thrilling round as the margin of victory was a slim .0074-second, or approximately 22 inches.

It was eventual trophy winner Stephen Bell who finally stopped the hard-charging Butner. Their semifinals meeting marked the first time the two had met during eliminations, and Bell advanced to his fifth final with a 7.950, 173.45 to Butner’s 7.977, 174.48 – top speed of the round.

“It’s fun being part of this because it’s so competitive, too,” said Butner, who moved up to the No. 2 position in the series with his performance at Heartland Motorsports Park. “I’m excited to get back in this Summit Racing Cobra Jet, and it’s even better that I get to race it and our Pro Stock car at the Summit Racing Nationals in a couple of weeks.”

The event in Topeka was the fourth of eight in the 2019 SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown. The next event in the series will take place at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, June 20-23.

BO BUTNER
Summit Racing Cobra Jet Mustang
Position in standings following event: No. 2

Butner’s results:
R1: Bo Butner defeated David Janac, 8.074-second at 171.71 mph to 8.080, 169.85
R2: Butner def. Kevin Skinner, 7.983, 174.28 to 7.998, 172.54
R3: Stephen Bell def. Butner, 7.950, 173.45 to 7.977, 174.48

Butner’s 2019 SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown results:
Gainesville: did not qualify
Charlotte: No. 2 qualifier, final round
Richmond: No. 1 qualifier, final round
Topeka: No. 2 qualifier, semifinals

2019 Factory Stock Showdown Championship Standings
(after the NHRA Heartland Nationals, race 4 of 8)

1. Drew Skillman, 329
2. Bo Butner, 282
3. Stephen Bell, 249
4. Bill Skillman, 245
5. Chris Holbrook, 219
6. Arthur Kohn, 212
7. David Barton, 202
8. Randy Taylor, 198
9. Kevin Skinner, 191
10. Scott Libersher, 169
11. Ryan Priddy, 143
12. Leah Pritchett, 131
13. David Janac, 129
14. Carl Tasca, 122
15. Pete Gasko Jr., 95

2019 SCHOOL OF AUTOMOTIVE MACHINISTS & TECHNOLOGY SCHEDULE
March 14-17 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville, Fla.
April 26-28 NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Charlotte, N.C.
May 17-19 Virginia NHRA Nationals, Richmond, Va.
June 7-9 Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals, Topeka, Kan.
June 20-23 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Norwalk, Ohio
Aug. 28-Sept. 2 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis
Sept. 27-29 AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis
Oct. 17-20 AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas

Sportsman Blog: Hannah Line’s D/SA Camaro

June 7, 2019June 7, 20192 Comments

Welcome back everyone!

As I mentioned in the last entry, I race a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro in Stock Eliminator. I am currently in D/SA, which has an 11.55 index. For those of you who are not familiar with Stock Eliminator, we qualify based on each class’s index and how far over or under that index that you run.

When I was 16 and had graduated from the Jr. Dragster division, I moved up to Street Trophy and raced my dad’s 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. My first season in a big car, I won two races, got runner-up at two races, and attained a 3rd place finish in the points chase.

Towards the end of my first season in a big car, I went with my dad and some family friends on a long drive out to Kentucky. We ended up coming home with two Camaros that both currently compete in Stock Eliminator.

My car was actually in the process of becoming a Stocker. The moment we unloaded the car back in Minnesota, it was on the way to becoming the beautiful car it is now. My dad and I, along with the help from so many people, built the car from a shell. It was truly a father daughter project. I am so thankful for all the things I learned!

More soon. Thanks for reading.

Follow Hannah at Facebook.com/hannah.5210 and on Instagram @hannahline.5210

Team Summit Pre-Race Package NHRA Topeka

June 6, 2019Leave a comment

Bo Butner
Summit Racing, Jim Butner Auto Group
FSS 2019 Ford Cobra Jet
Car No.: 3361

SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown race 4 of 8

Story Lines:
• Bo Butner, flying the Summit Racing colors, will compete in the SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown at the Heartland Nationals in his 2019 Cobra Jet Mustang
• Butner was the winner of the very first Factory Stock Showdown, which took placed in Indy at the U.S. Nationals in 2012
• He has four previous FSS wins, including the 2015 trophy in Gainesville, and has been to the final round in the most recent two FSS events
• The Floyds Knobs, Indiana-based driver is engaged to Randi Lyn Shipp, a Stock Eliminator competitor who will also race in Topeka. Shipp has two wins so far this year in the challenging Stock category, including just last week in Chicago when she became only the second female to have ever earned seven Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series victories (she is tied with Top Alcohol Dragster pilot Megan Meyer for the most female wins in the series).
• In the first nine NHRA national events of 2019, between Shipp and Butner, they have reached eight final rounds and earned six wins. Most notably, both Butner and Shipp won the 50th annual Gatornationals in Gainesville this season, Butner in Pro Stock and Shipp in Stock.
• Butner had the chance to double on his own at Richmond two races ago, when he won the Pro Stock trophy and was a finalist in the Factory Stock Showdown
• An accomplished NHRA Sportsman racer, Butner earned the Comp Eliminator championship in 2006 and has four Division 3 season titles. He has earned trophies in five categories at the national event level.

Quotes:
“It’s great to get seat-time, and I don’t care if it’s in a golf cart,” said Butner, who kept his Sportsman skills sharp with a go at Super Comp in Chicago. “I’d run four or five classes at an event if NHRA would let me, because I think the more you do, the better you’ll get. We’ll see this weekend, but I have to beat those Skillman folks. They’re pretty tough, and then there’s Kevin Skinner coming around and running real good. We don’t know what the Dodges are going to do, but they got a little help. We’re going to do the best we can, and by all means we should be in the final. I can’t wait for this race. That car is a lot of fun, and I miss it when I don’t get to drive it.”

Butner’s Career Stats through 2019 Route 66 Nationals in Chicago
(most recent Pro Stock event)
2017 NHRA Pro Stock champion
2006 Competition Eliminator champion
95 Pro Stock races
11 Pro Stock wins
13 Pro Stock runner-up finishes
24 overall Pro Stock final rounds
10 Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier awards
26 overall wins, including NHRA Sportsman competition
(11 Pro stock, 6 Comp Eliminator, 3 Super Stock, 5 Stock Eliminator, 1 Super Street)
53 overall final rounds, including NHRA Sportsman and Professional competition
(24 Pro Stock, 13 Comp Eliminator, 6 Super Stock, 7 Stock Eliminator, 1 Super Street, 2 SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown)
Career best e.t.: 6.475
Career best speed: 214.28

Butner’s 2019 SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown results:
Gainesville: did not qualify
Charlotte: No. 2 qualifier, final round
Richmond: No. 1 qualifier, final round

2019 Factory Stock Showdown Championship Standings
(after the NHRA Virginia Nationals, race 3 of 8)

1. Drew Skillman, 294
2. Bill Skillman, 212
3. Bo Butner, 205
4. David Barton, 170
5. Chris Holbrook, 161
6. Randy Taylor, 142
7. Scott Libersher, 138
8t. Stephen Bell, 137
8t. Kevin Skinner, 137
10. Carl Tasca, 122
11. Arthur Kohn, 118
12. Leah Pritchett, 98
13. David Janac, 97
14. Pete Gasko Jr., 95
15. Geoff Turk, 81

Race Info
31st annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties
Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka
June 7-9, 2019

Run Schedule (all times local)
Friday, June 7
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman qualifying and time trials begin
3:15 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 1
4:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 1
6:45 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 2
8:00 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 2

Saturday, June 8
8:00 a.m. – Lucas Oil Series Sportsman eliminations begin
11:30 a.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown qualifying session 3
12:30 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 3
2:45 p.m. – SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown round 1
3:45 p.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro qualifying session 4

Sunday, June 9
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Sportsman eliminations continue
10:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Series pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. –Pro eliminations begin, Sportsman eliminations continue

#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Saturday – 10-11 PM ET / FS1
Qualifying / Sunday – 12-1 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 5:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1

(Sportsman) Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule
Finals / Thursday, June 20 – 8:30-9:30 PM ET / FS2

Join the conversation by using #NHRA #HeartlandNats on social media

**Full results at DragRaceCentral.com**

Team Summit fast in Chicago, leave with track record for speed

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019Leave a comment

The 22nd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals JOLIET, Ill. (June 2, 2019) – Qualifying for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals was exceptional for the Summit Racing Pro Stock team, and in eliminations, they issued a powerful warning as they reset the Route 66 Raceway track record for speed. Greg Anderson, driving the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, had the fastest racecar he’s had all year, and the veteran Pro Stock driver believes that will only bode well for the future.

“My car was the fastest car out here, and that feels good,” said Anderson, who claimed the 103rd No. 1 qualifier award of his career at the event and clocked a killer 6.552-second pass at a booming 212.39 mph in the semifinals to reclaim the track record for speed. The previous record was also set by Anderson in 2015 at 211.83.

“Today I didn’t get the job done by winning, and I take full responsibility for it,” he continued. “That’s certainly something I’m going to be working on before the next race.”

In the first round of eliminations, Anderson clocked a low of the round 6.537, 211.23 to defeat Alan Prusiensky. In round two, he was again low of the round with a 6.541, 211.06 next to a red-lighting Bo Butner. The 21-year Pro Stock veteran’s day came to an end in the semifinals when Erica Enders was quicker off the starting line to facilitate a holeshot win, 6.573, 210.41 to 6.552 at that large speed of 212.39.

“The great news is that all of our cars are really fast, especially my Summit Racing Chevy,” said Anderson, who has 91 national event wins on his scorecard, all earned with KB Racing. The team now owns 154 national event victories as KB Racing-powered Deric Kramer won the Chicago Pro Stock final with low elapsed time of the event, 6.532.

“We’re excited about how all of our cars are performing, and the next race is the Summit Racing Nationals in Norwalk, so that gets us really excited,” Anderson continued. “We know our cars are going to be fast. We’re going to work on them, do some testing before then, and just keep trying to get better yet. A good weekend, but we’ve got even better ones in our very near future.”

Anderson’s Summit Racing teammate Jason Line was the provisional No. 1 on Friday and No. 2 qualifier on Saturday. He brought in a first-round victory over Kenny Delco with the second-best run of the round, a 6.548 at 210.44 to his opponent’s tire-rattling 13.795. In the second act, though, it was Alex Laughlin with a holeshot win, 6.570, 209.23 to Line’s 6.568, 210.41.

“It was a good weekend for Team Summit, but we really wanted it to be a great weekend,” said Line, who is No. 4 in the Pro Stock points leaving Chicago. “We’ll have a little bit of time to work on things back at the shop before the next race, and that certainly doesn’t hurt. The bright spot for us is that we’ve wanted to get the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro better, and it seems to be on the right track. We still have more work to do with all of our cars, but we’ll get there. It’s just a matter of time and effort, and this team has never shied away from that.”

Butner, the current points leader in the category and a four-time winner in the first five races of the season, didn’t have a typical weekend. He qualified in the No. 8 position and knocked out Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the first round, 6.594, 211.03 to his challenger’s .003-second red-light start, then was defeated by Anderson in round two when he launched .075 too soon.

“I was just completely out of my element,” said Butner. “We went from being the fastest KB Racing car to the slowest, and I overthought everything today. We just struggled. I was .027 on the tree first round and should have been happy and stayed right there, but Greg’s got a rocket ship. I’ve never really been successful with worrying about the guy in the other lane, and that was true again today.

“There’s no way to justify it because I wish I was still out there racing, but good for Greg, and good for KB Racing. He had the fastest car all weekend. We’ve been really blessed over here; Randi Lyn [Shipp, Butner’s fiancée] won in Stock Eliminator, and she’s been doing great. We’ve been to a lot of finals this year, so we have a lot to be thankful for. We’re ready to get back in our Summit Racing Cobra Jet to test before the next SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown race next weekend in Topeka, and we’ll be ready to get back in the Pro Stock car in Norwalk. I’m looking forward to a lot of great racing ahead.”

The next Pro Stock event on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, June 20-23. The SAM Tech Factory Stock Showdown continues in Topeka at the NHRA Heartland Nationals next weekend.

Jason Line
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Results
R1: Jason Line 6.548-second at 210.44 mph defeated Kenny Delco 13.795, 61.92
R2: Alex Laughlin (.043-second reaction time) 6.570, 209.23 def. Line (.076) 6.568, 210.41

Greg Anderson
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Results
R1: Greg Anderson 6.537-second at 211.23 mph defeated Alan Prusiensky 6.680, 206.45
R2: Anderson 6.541, 211.06 def. Bo Butner (-.075 red light) 6.681, 182.87
R3: Erica Enders (.012-second reaction time) 6.573, 210.41 def. Anderson (.047) 6.552, 212.39

Bo Butner
KB Racing, Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
Results
R1: Bo Butner 6.594-second at 211.03 mph def. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (-.003 red light) 6.568, 209.49
R2: Greg Anderson 6.541, 211.06 def. Butner (-.075 red light) 6.681, 182.87

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(after Route 66 NHRA Nationals, race 6 of 18)

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

Wilkerson’s LRS team standing strong despite taking a hit in Chicago

June 2, 2019Leave a comment

The 22nd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals

JOLIET, Ill. (June 2, 2019) – The Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang Funny Car team wanted a win on Sunday at Route 66 Raceway, but the opportunity to celebrate a victory with their family and friends at their home track slipped through their fingers in the first round. Despite the early exit and some slight damage to their Ford Mustang, Tim Wilkerson and his crew are keeping their heads held high as they head to the next event strong in their top 10 position.

Wilkerson and his new Ford Mustang Funny Car body are still getting to know one another, and in qualifying, they played nice in two of the four sessions. The venerable nitro pilot was prepared to take on Cruz Pedregon in the first round of eliminations at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, and he was on a good pass until the tires broke loose and his Funny Car made contact with the wall. Although the clocks recorded his time at 4.052, 256.45 mph, the run was disqualified because it was out of bounds.

“It was really running good there, and it was going to go either a 3.93 or 3.94,” said Wilkerson, who remains No. 8 in the NHRA Mello Yello Series Funny Car standings despite the early exit.

Wilkerson took delivery of the 40th anniversary Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang a few weeks ago and debuted the sleek Funny Car at the most recent event on the NHRA tour, the Virginia Nationals in Richmond.

“This LRS Mustang is fast, we just did a bad job, and the thing came loose out there about 600 feet,” he continued, explaining the pass that went wrong on Sunday in Chicago. “I thought I had it gathered up, but it started sliding. I lifted off the gas pedal, but it just kept sliding its way over and knocked the corner panel out of it. I think it’s fixable, but we won’t have this car back before Topeka, and maybe even not until after Bristol. We’ll see how things go there, but we have one of our older Ford Mustang bodies that we’ll have for next week. It’s aggravating, but we’ll get it worked out.”

The next event on the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour is the NHRA Heartland Nationals in Topeka, June 7-9.

Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang
Results:
R1: Cruz Pedregon 4.016-second at 321.19 mph defeated Tim Wilkerson, DQ

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(after Route 66 NHRA Nationals, race 9 of 18)

1. Robert Hight (3), 818
2. Tommy Johnson Jr. (1), 650
3. Ron Capps (2), 610
4. John Force, 596
5. J.R. Todd (1), 593
6. Matt Hagan (1), 559
7. Jack Beckman, 553
8. Tim Wilkerson, 495
9. Shawn Langdon (1), 435
10. Bob Tasca III, 401

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

Anderson locks in 103rd No. 1 with NHRA Chicago pole, Line No. 2

June 2, 2019Leave a comment

photo credit: Auto Imagery

JOLIET, Ill. (June 1, 2019) – Team Summit entered the Route 66 NHRA Nationals with an agenda, and on Saturday evening at Route 66 Raceway, they were able to mark the first half of their mission complete. Greg Anderson, driver of the red Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro, came out on top with a cool 6.571-second pass at 210.54 mph in the final session to secure the 103rd No. 1 qualifier award of his Pro Stock career.

Anderson’s Summit Racing teammate Jason Line, who was No. 1 two weeks ago in Richmond and the provisional pole-sitter on Friday in Chicago, landed the No. 2 spot with a best time of 6.575, 209.39. The last time the KB Racing duo qualified in the top two positions was in Sonoma in 2018, which was also Anderson’s most recent No. 1.

It took quite a few years and quite a few final rounds, but Anderson has two Route 66 Raceway wins on his scorecard. One was earned in 2011, and the other was achieved in 2016.

“I’ve always loved coming to this racetrack,” said Anderson, now third all-time in NHRA’s history of No. 1 qualifiers, behind only John Force and Warren Johnson. “This is a great Pro Stock track, and it’s a place where every bit of power you can find can be applied to the racing surface. I have no earthly idea why I struggled to win here for so long because it’s such a great place and the starting line is so good, but I love racing here. Tomorrow should be a good day.”

The 21-year Pro Stock veteran, a four-time world champion in the category, will race Alan Prusiensky in round one. Anderson entered the event at Route 66 Raceway No. 5 in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings and claimed at total of six bonus points* to aid in his quest to catch teammate Bo Butner, the incoming points leader.

Anderson’s final qualifying pull was his best of the weekend so far, and with it he claimed not only the pole, but also top speed.

“You can always make high quality runs here, but this last session, it was just a perfect run inside the car,” said Anderson, who was runner-up in Chicago last season and is in the hunt for the 92nd Pro Stock win of his career. “Tonight, it was one of those times when you’re going down the racetrack, and you’re almost clapping, going, yes, yes, yes. Rob Downing, Dave Connolly, and all the guys back at the shop and here at the track have just done a great job.

“We got the green hat as the No. 1 qualifier, and that’s great. Now, on to business tomorrow to try to find a way to get a yellow winner’s circle hat. This class is so hard to win in, but I think these are the best racecars we’ve had all year. It’ll be up to the drivers to get it done.”

Anderson’s Summit Racing counterpart Line was No. 3 in the standings coming into the event and picked up five bonus qualifying points. As of Saturday evening, he has three Route 66 Raceway victories on his scorecard. Most notably, Line earned the first Pro Stock win of his career there in a final-round showdown with Anderson in 2004.

“I’m pretty happy with my Summit Racing Chevy, and we’re all glad to see that we’re making improvements with Greg’s car,” said Line, who will race Kenny Delco in round one. “It would have been nice to get that No. 1, but I’m happy that my teammate has it this time. It’ll be interesting to see how tomorrow goes. We have a lot of history here. It should be fun.”

KB Racing-powered Butner, driver of the Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro, has dominated the season with four wins in the first five races. Butner, who was also competing in Super Comp in Chicago this weekend, will begin his challenge for a fifth trophy on the season with a first-round meeting with Jeg Coughlin Jr.

Butner qualified in the No. 8 position with a 6.598, 209.10. He was runner-up in Pro Stock at this event in 2016 to Anderson, and in 2012, he went to the final round in Stock Eliminator, where Daryl Bureski was awarded the trophy.

“The starting line here is exceptional, but we’ve really missed it down low every hit with my car,” explained Butner, who qualified fifth or better at each race so far this season and was No. 1 in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

“We have plenty of power, and our Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet is still the same good car that we’ve had all year, we just haven’t hit it down low yet. I look for tomorrow to be a good day, though. We’ve had a lot of luck this season so far, but a lot of it isn’t luck at all. The crew does their job every time. That’s very relieving for me, because I can just go out there and do my best. We’ve had very good fortune though, and there’s no reason it can’t keep going.”

Jason Line
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Results:
Q1: 6.607-second at 209.26 mph (No. 4)
Q2: 6.582, 207.56 (No. 1, +3 bonus points)
Q3: 6.626, 207.904 (No. 1)
Q4: 6.575, 209.39 (No. 2, +2)

First round opponent: Kenny Delco

Greg Anderson
KB Racing, Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro
Results:
Q1: 6.607-second at 208.94 mph (No. 5)
Q2: 6.583, 207.50 (No. 2, +2 bonus points)
Q3: 6.607, 206.48 (No. 2, +1)
Q4: 6.571, 210.54 (No. 1, +3)

First round opponent: Alan Prusiensky

Bo Butner
KB Racing, Jim Butner Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
Results:
Q1: 6.621-second at 208.10 mph (No. 9)
Q2: 6.609, 209.85 (No. 8)
Q3: 6.6328, 208.10 (No. 8)
Q4: 6.598, 209.10 (No. 8)

First round opponent: Jeg Coughlin Jr.

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Standings
(after Route 66 NHRA Nationals qualifying, race 6 of 18)

1. Bo Butner (4), 578
2. Alex Laughlin, 391
3. Jason Line, 370
4. Matt Hartford, 359
5. Greg Anderson, 349
6. Erica Enders, 333
7. Jeg Coughlin (1), 330
8. Rodger Brogdon, 286
9. Deric Kramer, 277
10. Chris McGaha, 273

Race Info
Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Chicago (Joliet), Illinois
May 30-June 2, 2019

Route 66 Raceway Track Records
Pro Stock
Drew Skillman, 6.528 (2015); Greg Anderson, 211.83 (2015)
Funny Car
Robert Hight, 3.851 (2017); Hight, 334.73 (2017)
Top Fuel
Steve Torrence, 3.677 (2018); Torrence, 333.58 (2018)
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, 6.784 (2017); Hector Arana Jr., 200.89 (2018)

Run Schedule (all times local)
Sunday, June 2
8:30 a.m. – Lucas Oil Sportsman eliminations continue
10:00 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro eliminations begin

#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Sunday – 11:30 AM-12:30 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 5:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1

(Sportsman) Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule
Finals / Thursday, June 13 – 8:30-9:30 PM ET / FS2

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

Wilkerson eager to get after it on Sunday at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals

June 2, 2019Leave a comment

photo credit: Auto Imagery

JOLIET, Ill. (June 1, 2019) – Tim Wilkerson is right at home this weekend in his 40th anniversary Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang. The veteran nitro Funny Car pilot and his team are based in Springfield, Ill., just 143 miles down the road from Route 66 Raceway, where qualifying for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals has just concluded. The hometown driver is qualified in the No. 9 position and gearing up for a first-round meeting with Cruz Pedregon.

Wilkerson’s first pass of the weekend was a strong 3.983-second blast down the drag strip that allowed the team to gather data, and they concluded qualifying on an even better 3.940, 327.11 in front of loads of supporters from Levi, Ray and Shoup, with whom they have enjoyed a 20-year partnership.

A potential wrench in the plan for Sunday could be decidedly cooler weather. Until the final session of qualifying, a blanket of warm air lay atop a sunbaked racing surface. The final session was delayed as a storm passed through, pushing Funny Car passes to run under the lights and in cooler conditions that could be of use for a Sunday tune-up.

“It’ll be really strange tomorrow,” said Wilkerson. “We’ll have a lot of power, and if the track is as good as it was tonight – you saw the guys that did it correctly made some nice runs. But we’ll see. I think I have something for them.

“Our Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang worked good, and our new Ford Mustang body worked good, and I think all that’s going to be okay. We made a good run that last session, and it was almost really good. I’m on it. I’m ready for it tomorrow.”

Tim Wilkerson
Levi, Ray and Shoup Ford Mustang
Results:
Q1: 3.983-second at 318.09 mph (No. 7)
Q2: 5.772, 143.76 (No. 9)
Q3: 4.593, 182.13 (No. 9)
Q4: 3.940, 327.11 (No. 9)

Round one opponent: Cruz Pedregon

2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car Standings
(after Route 66 NHRA Nationals qualifying, race 9 of 18)

1. Robert Hight (3), 758
2. J.R. Todd (1), 593
3. Ron Capps (2), 590
4. Tommy Johnson Jr., 570
5. John Force, 556
6. Matt Hagan (1), 539
7. Jack Beckman, 513
8. Tim Wilkerson, 495
9. Shawn Langdon (1), 440
10. Bob Tasca III, 401

Race Info
Route 66 NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Chicago (Joliet), Illinois
May 30-June 2, 2019

#NHRAonFOX Television Schedule (all times ET)
Qualifying / Sunday – 11:30 AM-12:30 PM ET / FS1
Finals / Sunday – 5:30-8:30 PM ET / FS1

(Sportsman) Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Television Schedule
Finals / Thursday, June 13 – 8:30-9:30 PM ET / FS2

**Full results posted at DragRaceCentral.com**

WinLight News

tales from the drag strip

Category: Drag Racing

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Progress and Projection with KB Racing Crew Chief Rob Downing

Butner fast in NHRA Topeka Factory Stock Showdown

Sportsman Blog: Hannah Line’s D/SA Camaro

Team Summit Pre-Race Package NHRA Topeka

Team Summit fast in Chicago, leave with track record for speed

Wilkerson’s LRS team standing strong despite taking a hit in Chicago

Anderson locks in 103rd No. 1 with NHRA Chicago pole, Line No. 2

Wilkerson eager to get after it on Sunday at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals

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