Mark Buttrum wins Super Gas at Midwest Nationals

Mark Buttrum claimed his first NHRA national event victory in Super Gas at the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals held at World Wide Technology Raceway.

ST. LOUIS – Bracket racer Mark Buttrum won his first NHRA national event in just his third try. Competing at the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, Buttrum defeated Brainerd winner Vernon Rowland in the final round.

Buttrum, who recently won the Working Mans $10 Grands bracket race, drove through the Super Gas field in his Chevy Lumina. He opened eliminations with a win over Dwight Nuest in the first round.

Mark then nailed the index with a 9.905 in round two after opponent Keneth Sanders was a no-show. In round three, Buttrum used a .004 to .027 reaction time advantage to take out chassis builder Charlie Stewart.

Rodney Benson missed the tree in the quarterfinals allowing Buttrum to advance to the semifinals. There he won a super close double-breakout race against Alan Bush. Buttrum was .024 take .005 to go 9.885 versus Bush’s losing 9.883.

Vernon Rowland made his way to his third national event final round of the season. After winning Super Comp at the Spring Nationals in Houston, Rowland claimed the Super Gas title at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd.

In a great final, Buttrum is .010 take .001 to earn his first national event Wally! His .010 light and 9.920 was just enough to turn back Rowland’s .021 initiated 9.910.

For more NHRA Lucas Oil sportsman results from the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals, click here.