Bo Butner is in a unique spot

As a teammate to former Pro Stock World Champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line, Butner is considered No. 3 in the Ken Black Racing juggernaut.

Just don’t tell that to Butner

“At no time do I feel like a paying customer or a renter,” Butner said. “I’m sure that I am classified as that, but these guys make me part of their team.”

That teamwork has included fellowship, equipment and horsepower – serious horsepower.

Consider the performance of Butner so far in the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

In Friday’s second qualifying session, Butner executed a run of 6.588 seconds at 208.94 mph in his Jim Butner’s Auto Chevrolet Camaro  to grab his  fifth No. 1 qualifier of the season and eighth of his career.

The real drama comes in Sunday’s eliminations when Butner will be in the field with his consistently fast teammates – Line and Anderson. 

“We have a very good car and I think we should be able to go some rounds, but my team has a lot of goals in mind and the main one is to get our three KB cars in the top three of the Pro Stock standings by the end of the year,” Butner said.

According to Butner, the KB drivers, crew chiefs and tuning wizards are prepared for the Sunday conditions that have drivers and fans buzzing over the potential for track and world records.

“We know everyone is going to be fast Sunday with the cooler conditions,” Butner said. “But we know the importance of not trying to overpower the track and getting lane choice because that can be a huge factor on those cold weather days.”

During his post-qualifying press conference Saturday, Butner assured reporters that he has the weapons to battle against his accomplished KB teammates.

“They’ve given me stuff that’s probably better than what the have,  which blows peoples minds,” Butner said. “I mean Jason has mentioned before that it’s never really happened that they can remember where a renter has a chance to win a world championship.

“Usually it’s the home or the guy that owns the stuff. So they’ve given me every opportunity and I do appreciate it.”

Anderson currently leads the Pro Stock standings, with a three-point margin over Butner. Line, the defending world champion, is 76 points back in third.

Butner will face Shane Tucker in the first round. Line, who qualified in the No. 2 spot with a 6.622 pass at 208.59, will take on Alan Prusiensky in the first round. Anderson, the No. 4 qualifier, faces Larry Morgan.

“Greg and Jason are the stars and they are champions,” Butner said. “This whole team, even the guys that are in the shop. They brought me in day-one just like a little brother.”