Bo Knows Pro Mod: Butner Set For Debut In Class At NHRA Pro Mod Season Opener In Indy|

When veteran elevate racer Rickie Smith called Bo Butner and asked if he'd drive his Pro Modernistic car for one race, it was an offer he couldn't refuse. Butner is on the roster to make his Pro Mod debut at this weekend's Lucas Oil NHRA Summernationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

"Nosotros're both sponsored by Strutmasters, and we both have 2022 Chevy Camaros, so it made sense," explained Butner. "He knew he wouldn't exist able to bulldoze because he had to take back surgery. The surgery came out great, and he'll exist 'coiffure chiefing' me and showing me the way. I've never driven a nitrous motorcar, so this should be interesting."

Butner licensed in Harry Hruska's turbo-charged Pro Mod entry two years ago in Phoenix, just he has not yet entered an event in the category heading into this weekend'due south Summernationals. The 2022 Pro Stock world champion is an established racer, though, with a various range of experience.

Last season, Butner debuted in Super Gas and won in his first attempt at Sonoma Raceway. He raced to multiple concluding rounds at the divisional and national levels to make himself a true contender in the category, despite a limited Sportsman schedule. He too added Super Comp to his repertoire in Chicago and has previously claimed national event wins in Pro Stock, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street. Only one commuter has wins in multiple categories; fellow Sportsman and Pro Stock competitor Jeg Coughlin has seven.

"This Pro Mod car is definitely a different creature, but it's a make new auto with maybe 16 runs on it, and I feel comfortable with Rickie and the squad," Butner continued. "It's a lot like KB Racing, the guys I run with in Pro Stock. They accept the same mentality: you race to win. That means Rickie's going to put me in a adept automobile."

Butner is racing Smith's Pro Mod Chevy Camaro with support from Strutmasters, Jim Butner Auto Grouping, and Elevation Racing Equipment. Pro Stock is not on the schedule for this weekend'due south result, and although the SAMTech.com Factory Stock Showdown is also slated to brainstorm this weekend, he will sit this round out in the category where he was edging for the title early on in 2019.

"Nosotros even so accept some R&D work to do with our Manufacturing plant Stock Showdown motorcar, but we're looking frontward to getting back in it, likewise, when the fourth dimension is right," said Butner. "For now, nosotros're excited about this deal with Rickie and Strutmasters. It'due south simply one race, but it's going to be a lot of fun."