WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Bowman Gray Stadium will have a new “Iron Man” this Saturday night.
Randy Butner will officially hold the all-time starts record at 756 when he takes the green flag for Saturday night’s first Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series Twin 25 race.
On June 21, Butner tied Junior Miller’s BGS starts record at 755, and he says he appreciates all the great memories he’s made at the track–memories that include 22 career Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series victories.
“Been a long ride with some good and bad times,” Butner says, “but I wouldn’t trade these last 38 years for anything.”
Ironically, Butner’s 22 career wins place him in a tie for 22nd all-time with Johnny Bryant and Billy Myers.
He says the fans, the excitement for racing, and camaraderie with his fellow competitors are who–and what–keep him coming back to Bowman Gray to compete in the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series.
“You gotta love it. It takes money, time, and labor, but you gotta love it to be here for 38 years.”
Butner also has an academic background. He’s a professor in the Engineering department at Forsyth Technical Community College, where he also serves as coordinator for the race car technology program.
He says his students think it’s cool to have a teacher who also drives race cars.
“A lot of my students are actually in the racing industry right now,” Butner adds.
Butner says he’s still trying to adjust to how much the track has changed since it hosted The NASCAR Cup Series Clash in February, but he’s confident he can win a race before the season’s over.
“We’ve definitely been trying, and – God-willing – we’ll keep trying as long as we’re healthy and happy being in the race car.”