Butner finds winner’s circle in NHRA Pro Stock division

Bo Butner’s perfect start to Sunday’s NHRA final round in Norwalk, Ohio, led to a perfect ending in the Pro Stock division.

Butner timed the starting light perfectly — 0.000 seconds on the reaction time — to gain the early advantage over KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson, and that was the difference in their duel.

Butner’s margin of victory was 0.001 seconds, earning him his third career victory. Anderson was denied his 89th such win.

The win pushed Butner’s season standings lead to 110 points.

Steve Torrence won Sunday’s Top Fuel title with nearly as strong of a start. He got off the line 0.011 seconds ahead of Doug Kalitta to score a victory of 0.007 seconds.

The win was Torrence’s fourth in six final-round appearances. He is now the series leader by 11 points.

Jack Beckman won his second Funny Car race of the season, an easy win given that Robert Hight had mechanical issues at the start. Beckman won with a pass of 4.073 seconds to Hight’s 6.673.

Beckman won his third career race at this venue.

LE Tonglet won the Pro Stock Motorcycle title, his third in six tries. He beat Matt Smith in the finals.

Tonglet, a two-time series champion, scored the 18th event win of his career.