September 29, 2007
Matthews, NC

Finally an Update!

It’s been over a month since we last updated the website with the news that Josh would be leaving the Allison Legacy Series and heading up North to begin working on the Sprint and Midget car to run the USAC Racing Series in 2008.  We have had a lot of travel over the past month and half…and been very busy so we apologize for not getting more updates put out. 

Josh went to Ohio for the first time in August just after the USAC announcement and jumped in the #52 dirt modified owned by his uncle Mike and ran a really good race.  The results at Sharon Speedway only showed a 12th place finish but Josh turned laps that were as fast as those well inside the top 10.  After that race, Josh returned home for the Labor Day Weekend and then flew right back up to Ohio to spend time with Ed Dellarco and start working on the Sprint Car to get it ready for testing.  Josh was in Ohio for 10 days on that trip and he got to race twice while on that trip.  The first race weekend was plagued with rain and while we were planning on running Saturday and Sunday, we only got a heat race in on Saturday before the rain won out while Josh was lined up outside the second row in the feature event.  The rain didn’t let up on Sunday and all racing was washed out for that day as well…so instead of racing, there was more time in the garage working on the Sprint car. 

Josh finally got to take the track the following weekend and even though he got beat around a little bit, he got his first top 10 on dirt…surviving a crashfest feature that saw him cross the finish line in 8th place.  It was the first time that Josh climbed into a racecar without his dad being at the track and so we all thank, his Uncle Mark, Ed Dellarco and the whole Fraley family for getting him through that Saturday night race.  Josh flew back to NC the following Monday to spend some time with the family…but he was back on a plane Saturday morning…when he and his dad flew back to Ohio for a double feature night at Sharon Speedway. 

The first feature saw Josh start 4th and he was able to pilot the Boardman License Bureau/Summitt Communications #52 modified to the front and lead his first lap in only his sixth start.  Josh ran 3rd for the first part of the race but couldn’t get the car to turn down in the corners and lost a number of spots.  Still, Josh ran another great race and captured his second consecutive top 10 finish…crossing the line in the 7th position.  The rest of the night didn’t go as well…in the heat race (before the second feature) Josh was coming from the back when a car outside of him spun and hit Josh in the right rear wheel breaking the rear end housing into pieces.  The damage was too much to fix before the feature and the crew loaded the car back on the trailer for the night. 

Since leaving the Allison Legacy Series there has been a steep learning curve for Josh and he is progressing well.  The learning is set to continue later in October when the team has a test scheduled for the ½ mile track at Mansfield Motorsports Park…this will be the first real test for Josh in a high powered open wheeled car.  Check back in late October for pictures and an update. 

Again, everyone at Butler Motorsports wants to thank those that have helped so much while Josh has been in Ohio.  Josh is having a good time working with Ed Dellarco (USAC Owner) and we all appreciate Ed welcoming Josh in like a member of his family…we are excited about the things to come in 2008 with Ed.  Also, we need to thank Mike Butler for letting Josh drive the E-Mod…the next time Josh will race that car will be “2008 Speed Week” at Volusia County Speedway in February 2008.  Others that need a HUGE thank you are Mark Butler, Howard Fraley, Darin Fraley and Dustin Fraley for all the help that they have given Josh getting the modified ready.  Living in NC and racing in the Midwest is going to be tough and it can’t be done without the support of everyone mentioned…THANK YOU! 

Josh is still hoping to run an Allison Legacy race or two before the end of the year and as we said, there is some Sprint and Midget testing that needs to be done for 2008.  The year is far from over for Josh and Butler Motorsports so keep checking back…we promise we will update the site more often.

Josh leading the E-Mod feature at Sharon

Josh with new owner Ed Dellarco

Josh with 8 year old Gwendalyn Reed during autograph night at Sharon Speedway