Cole Butcher is set to compete in the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, aiming to build on an impressive 2025 season that has highlighted him as a standout driver. This year’s campaign, marked by numerous victories and a major championship, gives Butcher renewed optimism as he enters his ninth attempt at this crown-jewel event known as the Cole Butcher Snowball Derby season.
Butcher’s Season of Milestones and Momentum
Hailing from Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, Butcher recently celebrated his first ASA STARS National Tour championship, having claimed four wins in twelve races, with one of his biggest being a repeat victory at the Redbud 400 hosted by Anderson Speedway. This string of successes has led Butcher and Wilson Motorsports to approach the Snowball Derby with significant confidence, despite encountering obstacles just prior to the race. During preparation, the team faced an engine failure in their main car during testing, but managed to switch to their backup car, which carried a strong track record.
“The other day we tested; we blew up a motor in our primary car. We were able to get it swapped, but then we actually decided to race our backup car, which we raced at [the All American 400]. We’re pretty [good] with all our race cars, so hopefully we can put a solid lap down Friday night [in qualifying].”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
From Childhood Motocross to Super Late Model Stardom
Butcher’s route to racing prominence was unconventional compared to his peers, beginning on motocross bikes as a child before transitioning to four-wheeled competition in his teens. As he advanced from Bandoleros to Super Late Models, he encountered various technical challenges, learning to adapt to different tire compounds and power levels over time. Among his influences was veteran Bubba Pollard, whose record in high-profile events inspired Butcher and helped refine his approach on the track.
“I’ve learned a lot from Bubba,”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
“Bubba is a very respectful racer and very quiet when it comes to his racing. You don’t know if he’s good or if he’s bad until the green flag flies. He’ll either pass you and leave you in the dust or you’ll have a good race with him. Bubba has taught me a lot of things about respect and how you need to race each other.”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
By steadily building his skill set, Butcher’s own name has become inseparable from success in Super Late Model contests. He achieved notable triumphs such as back-to-back Oxford 250 titles, two Redbud 400 victories, a Winchester 400 win, and more recently, mastering the Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway.
Breaking into National Competitions
The momentum from 2025 saw Butcher notch eight Super Late Model wins and collect his first ASA STARS National Tour championship. These accolades were parlayed into an opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making two appearances with Halmar Friesen Racing. Both outings concluded with 23rd-place results, with the race at Phoenix Raceway shortened by a late incident. Butcher noted the significant difference in adapting to heavier, more downforce-dependent trucks and credited the resources and training Toyota provided for helping him prepare for the challenge. Toyota’s support extended beyond the track, impacting Wilson Motorsports and elevating the team as a force in short track racing.
“It means that we’re doing our job personally and in the shop,”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
“Everyone at Wilson Motorsports does a great job, whether it’s the [No.] 28, 24 or 22 car. This is a testament to what we have going on at Toyota, the Performance Center and at the shop. We have a pretty good baseline wherever we go, and we’re able to unload and be confident.”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
Aiming for a Career-Defining Victory
Riding a wave of positive energy, Butcher is hoping to cap off his breakout year with a Snowball Derby victory and possibly a sweep by taking the Snowflake 125 as well. While he has competed in every Snowball Derby for the past eight years, this marks his first Snowflake 125 attempt since 2016. Throughout his Snowball Derby history, Butcher has finished in the top five four times and never lower than twentieth, with his best result coming in 2019, when he led briefly before settling for third place. The presence of experienced Super Late Model drivers and prominent NASCAR Cup Series names like Kyle Busch and Noah Gragson adds to the high level of competition, making a top qualifying spot crucial for race success. Butcher acknowledges that starting closer to the front reduces pressure on race day, a relief given the intensity of the weekend.
Family Bonds and Racing Legacy
Beyond the competition, Butcher values the camaraderie and family connections that race week offers. Sharing the experience with his brother Jarrett, also entered in the Snowflake 125, and his young son Brody—now a source of extra motivation—brings additional meaning to his efforts. The family legacy is deep-rooted, as Butcher’s father Darrin raced before him, and he’s keenly aware of the sacrifices required to reach this level. Achieving victory at both feature events this weekend would solidify Butcher’s status among the sport’s elite and honor his family’s tradition.
“A win would mean the world, not just for myself, but for my team and my family,”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
“My dad, my mom and my brother have been doing this for a long time together, and I’m fortunate enough to bring my wife and my child into the atmosphere I was brought up in. This is a big group, and it would be a big party afterwards.”
— Cole Butcher, Driver
What’s at Stake in Pensacola
For Cole Butcher, the 2025 season has fulfilled many professional dreams. One final push at Five Flags Speedway, in front of the sport’s most skilled drivers and key figures like Donnie Wilson and the Wilson Motorsports crew, carries the potential to turn a banner season into a legendary one. As fans and fellow competitors watch, the outcome at the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 125 will determine whether Butcher’s year ends with the ultimate achievement in his storied Cole Butcher Snowball Derby season.
