Etchells Racing's Butler has a hand in Daytona & Phoenix

(The following is also attached in text format for your convenience.)

Contact: Jon G. Knapp Phone: (704) 662-3121 Fax: (704) 662-3021

ETCHELLS RACING'S BRIAN BUTLER HAS A HAND IN PHOENIX AND DAYTONA RACES

Putnam, Conn., February 8, 2001 - This weekend, much of the motorsports world's attention will be centered in Daytona Beach, Florida as the stock car season opens with the running of the Daytona 500. However, for those who believe that racing should be in a straight line, using 6,000 horsepower to reach speeds well over 300 mph, the focus will be on the Arizona desert, as the world's best quarter-milers compete in the NHRA's Checker Schucks Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix. There will one individual in the Kendall Oil/Matco Tools Camaro Funny Car pits, however, who will have more than a passing interest in the goings-on in the Sunshine State.

Brian Butler is the President of Butlerbuilt Motorsports Equipment, a Harrisburg, NC-based company that specializes in manufacturing components for racecars in a variety of series from sprint cars to stock cars. Butler is most widely known for revolutionizing the area of driver's seats, having developed the custom-built aluminum units over twenty years ago that are commonplace today. In a single year, his company produces several thousand seats, mostly built to order, and includes the 2000 Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series champions among his list of clients. A strong advocate for driver safety, next week in Daytona, Winston Cup championship contender Jeff Burton will introduce a revolutionary head and neck support system designed in a joint effort by Butler & Burton, which they believe could become the new standard.

However, Butler will not be on hand to witness his latest creation's competitive debut, as he will be almost two thousand miles away in Phoenix working on his newest motorsports venture. Since last October, Butler has been a vital member of the Etchells Racing team, tending to the intricate clutch system of the Nitro Funny Car driven by team owner Chuck Etchells. Although this change of venue may seem unusual after so many years in one series, for Butler it actually signifies a return to his roots.

"My introduction to drag racing came when, as a twelve-year-old kid, my family went to the U.S. Nationals," explained Butler. "We were there for the entire event, which lasted about six days, and I watched every single pass. From then on, I was hooked. Growing up, drag racing was the only thing I cared about. Coming out of high school, I built some Super Stock, Gas and Modified cars, and did pretty well with cars I built and drove. It was a tremendous education that allowed me to develop the skills that have I today."

But in 1975 drag racer Butler was introduced to circle-track racing, which he saw as a whole new challenge. Seizing the opportunity, he switched gears and carved his own niche in stock-car racing, developing products for every level of competition. However, his desire to get back to drag racing never waned, and he made sure to keep up with developments within the NHRA.

Finally, a chance meeting with driver Tommy Johnson Jr. (who had used one of Butler's seats while competing in a Legends car) at an NHRA national event led to Butler's eventual return to the quarter-mile. However, he did not join the Winston Drag Racing Series on a full-time basis until late in the 2000 season when he became a member of the Etchells crew. It is an opportunity that Butler has been seeking for quite some time.

"In my early years, I never had the opportunity to work on a fuel car," stated Butler. "I had always vowed that if I did get back to drag racing, it would only be at the fuel level. Fortunately, the chance came to work here at Etchells Racing, and I'm glad it did. I like the atmosphere on this team, and have really come to enjoy being with this particular group of people.

"Right now, I'm working on the clutch, but someday I'd like to learn about other parts of this Kendall/Matco Camaro. My main goal is to see how one of these nitro-burning animals work, figuring out what makes them tick, and have some input on how it's done. I don't think it's far-fetched that someday I could crew chief one of these suckers."

But childhood aspirations aside, Butler has some definite motivation for making the move to the NHRA. His plan for the future is clear, and is driven by his commitment to succeed.

"One the reasons for my returning to drag racing was the opportunity to create and develop new ideas on how to race one of these cars. I might get in trouble for saying this, but I believe there is currently more room for innovation in the NHRA than there is in NASCAR, where creativity is almost frowned upon.

"But I'm not interested in coming over here and making components. I want to be with one team, where we have the best stuff in the whole pit and be as competitive as we can be. Naturally, I want to win races, and I will do whatever it takes to do just that. That's where the imagination part comes in. I want to use my skills to hopefully improve the performance of the team. Certainly that won't come overnight, and I still have to learn the intricacies of a modern day Funny Car. I just enjoy the challenge and the options it offers me. There's nothing like being able to control the power of one of these fuel cars."

So this weekend, although Butler may be interested in how his clients fare as they battle on the famed Florida superspeedway, his primary focus will be on getting the Etchells "fuel coupe" down the Firebird Raceway quarter-mile faster than anyone else four times on Sunday, thus adding an NHRA Funny Car win to his already impressive list of accomplishments.

"To be honest, I will be focused on our drag racing program, period. Yes, I will have an interest on how our customers do in Daytona, but I won't be flipping through the radio or television for updates. I'd like to know the results after the fact, but my interest will remain in helping the Kendall/Matco Camaro reach the Phoenix winner's circle."

Etchells Excerpts: This will be Chuck Etchells' 10th appearance at Firebird International Raceway … Chuck is looking to duplicate his No. 1 qualifying performance at his event from 1994, and he hopes to repeat his winning performance from his last appearance at Firebird in 1998. Epler Extras: This will mark Phoenix resident Jim Epler's 9th appearance at his home track…Jim's best previous qualifying performance was 2nd, which he accomplished in 1992 & 1995, and his best showing in eliminations came in 1993, when he was the runner-up.

Fast Facts

WHAT: 17th Annual Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals, the second event on the 23-race 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Schedule.

WHEN: February 15- 18, 2001

WHERE: Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Arizona

SCHEDULE: Professional qualifying begins with two sessions Friday, February 16 at 2:00 & 4:00 p.m., and concludes with two additional attempts at 2:00 & 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 17. Final eliminations begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 18.

TV: Coverage from Phoenix will start with 2 hours of qualifying highlights on ESPN2 from 9:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 17. On Sunday, February 18, coverage of eliminations will start on ESPN with a one-hour broadcast of early elimination rounds highlights from 2-3 p.m. and will conclude on ESPN2 with one hour of highlights from the semi-final and final rounds from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. (Times given are Eastern. As always, please check your local listings.) # # #