Confusion arose ahead of the 2025 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, when Cole Butcher was mistakenly identified as a new TRICON Garage driver for 2026. The error, related to the highly discussed TRICON Garage driver announcement, was corrected by the racing team after intervention from NASCAR journalist Jacob Seelman.
Clarification on TRICON Garage’s Plans for 2026
On the eve of making his ninth Snowball Derby appearance, Cole Butcher, a native of Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, faced speculation about joining TRICON Garage in the NASCAR Truck Series. The multi-time Pro Stock Tour champion and recent ASA STARS National Tour title winner had been mentioned as a prospective full-time driver during rain delay coverage by host Jim Tretow. However, TRICON Garage swiftly addressed the situation through journalist Jacob Seelman.
“UPDATE: Just connected to a @TRICONGarage spokesperson who confirmed that @colebutcher1 does NOT have any planned races for the team in Trucks. Seems to be confusion on Jim Tretow’s part between Butcher and the recent @KadenWHoneycutt announcement from a couple days ago.”
– Jacob Seelman, NASCAR Journalist
Butcher’s short track accomplishments have been notable, with four wins from 12 ASA STARS National Tour events, including a significant victory at the Governor’s Cup LX. Despite this, Butcher’s involvement in the Truck Series this year was limited to two starts with Halmar Freisen Racing, where he finished 23rd each time. The misunderstanding stemmed from recent news about Kaden Honeycutt, who secured a 2026 drive with TRICON Garage, prompting Niece Motorsports to release him midway through the 2025 season as a result of the contract shift.
According to team management, Honeycutt had previously been offered an extended contract before the decision was made to prioritize Chevrolet’s commitments, leading to a rapid separation between the driver and his previous organization.
Cole Butcher Prepares for Fast-Paced Snowball Derby Challenge
Cole Butcher, now preparing for his ninth attempt at the Snowball Derby, has consistently posted strong showings. At 29 years old, he boasts four top-5 finishes at the event and most notably led laps in 2019, ultimately securing a third-place result, though the coveted crown jewel win has so far eluded him.
When asked about his motivation ahead of the 2025 race, Butcher responded:
“A win would mean the world, not just for myself, but for my team and my family. 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
In preparation for this high-profile event, Butcher and his team faced unexpected challenges. He shared candidly about pre-race hurdles:
“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].”
– Cole Butcher
Butcher will start 13th on the grid for Sunday’s race, while notable competitors Preston Peltier and reigning Truck Series champion Ty Majeski have claimed the front row spots. Persistent inclement weather, however, forced the event to be postponed, with the green flag now scheduled for Monday, December 8 at 1 PM local time.
What This Means for TRICON Garage and Fans
The false TRICON Garage driver announcement involving Cole Butcher highlighted how easily information can become muddled during live event coverage, especially in the fast-paced and highly scrutinized environment of NASCAR. The correction made by TRICON Garage brings clarity around team plans, confirming that no agreement exists between Butcher and the team for the 2026 season.
As anticipation builds for the delayed Snowball Derby and Butcher targets his first win at this prestigious race, NASCAR fans and observers are reminded of how quickly narratives can shift based on communications lapses. Meanwhile, Kaden Honeycutt’s confirmed future with TRICON Garage reflects the significant moves happening across the Truck Series landscape, demonstrating both opportunity and rapid change for drivers and teams alike.
