Set to compete in Sunday’s Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, Cole Butcher, a native of Porters Lake in Nova Scotia, enters the event with strong momentum following a breakthrough year. After capturing his first ASA STARS National Tour championship and multiple marquee victories in 2025, Butcher is focused on leveraging his career-best season to secure the coveted Snowball Derby title he has chased for nearly a decade.
Championship Form Fuels Butcher’s Confidence
Just one month after clinching the ASA STARS National Tour championship, Butcher arrives at Five Flags Speedway determined to continue his winning run. This season, he claimed four victories on the national tour, including a second triumph at the Redbud 400 held at Anderson Speedway. Butcher, now preparing for his ninth Snowball Derby appearance, believes this year may present his greatest opportunity yet despite a setback during preparatory testing with his Wilson Motorsports team.
“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
Butcher’s optimism persists as the team shifts focus to their reliable backup vehicle, demonstrating adaptability in the face of last-minute hurdles.
Racing Roots: Motocross to Super Late Models
Unlike many competitors who began directly in four-wheeled racing, Butcher’s journey started with motocross at age five. He sustained this passion through his mid-teens before gradually turning his attention to cars. As he transitioned from Bandoleros to Super Late Models, Butcher faced a steep learning curve, navigating the challenges of tire management and horsepower. These experiences shaped him as he adapted to changes in tire technology and honed his racecraft.
Competing alongside veterans like Bubba Pollard also played a significant role in Butcher’s development. Pollard, with victories in events such as the All American 400 and Oxford 250, was a key influence.
“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
Through these connections, Butcher gained invaluable insights, allowing him to become one of the most efficient drivers in Super Late Model competition.
Major Victories and Strong Results Define 2025
Butcher steadily built a reputation for excellence within the Super Late Model ranks, joining Pollard on the prestigious list of Oxford 250 winners in 2022 and successfully defending that title in 2023. Other major wins include two Redbud 400 victories, a Winchester 400 win, and a celebrated triumph in the Florida Governor’s Cup last month at New Smyrna Speedway. In 2025 alone, Butcher amassed eight Super Late Model wins and celebrated his first national title in the ASA STARS National Tour.
His performance this year opened the door to two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts with Halmar Friesen Racing. Butcher finished 23rd in both races, the second at Phoenix Raceway ending early due to a late-race crash. The adjustment to the truck’s increased weight and reliance on downforce was significant, but Butcher credits Toyota and his entire support system, including Halmar Friesen and car owner Donnie Wilson, for preparing him for the challenge.
Toyota and Wilson Motorsports Drive Success
Toyota’s resources and Wilson Motorsports’ professionalism have proven instrumental in Butcher’s 2025 success. The team’s access to advanced fitness training and technical support has given them a competitive edge, with Butcher noting that eight wins are a testament to the power of this partnership.
“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
With a strong foundation and sustained momentum, the team is positioned to contend for more titles throughout the remainder of the year.
Snowball Derby and Snowflake 125 Ambitions
Butcher’s immediate goals include targeting the Snowball Derby, which has eluded him in eight prior attempts, and making a return to the Snowflake 125, an event he last entered in 2016. Consistency has been a hallmark of his Derby efforts, with four top-five finishes and no result worse than 20th. His closest brush with victory came in 2019, when he led two laps from the outside pole before settling into third place.
This year’s Snowball Derby features top-tier competition, including Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch and Noah Gragson and multiple past winners. Track position will be critical, and Butcher acknowledges that starting near the front eases pre-race nerves.
Family Support and a New Perspective
For Butcher, the intensity of the racing week is balanced by cherished time with his team and family. He finds joy in strengthening bonds with his crew, and values the presence of his brother Jarrett, who is also entered in the Snowflake 125. The event now carries extra meaning for Butcher, who is a father to young Brody. Following in the footsteps of his own father, Darrin, a racer himself, has deepened Butcher’s appreciation for the sacrifices and rewards of the sport.
“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
With his own family now supporting him at the track, Butcher’s motivations have evolved, and achieving Snowball Derby glory would serve as the ultimate capstone to their shared journey.
Legacy at Stake as Butcher Pursues Historic Finish
As the 2025 season draws to a close, Cole Butcher stands at a crossroads of achievement, poised to convert a career-defining year into lasting legacy. With two crown-jewel events left, his focus remains fixed on seizing the elusive Snowball Derby win that would cement him among the sport’s elite, celebrate the efforts of Wilson Motorsports and Toyota, and honor the dedication of his family both past and present. Fans and peers alike await to see if Butcher can translate the momentum of his standout season into a historic victory at Five Flags Speedway.
