Cole Butcher Bio
Cole Butcher, born August 31, 1996, is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver from Porters Lake, Nova Scotia. He is best known for his success on short tracks across North America, including a pair of Oxford 250 wins and a 2025 ASA STARS National Tour championship. Butcher most recently competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing.
Early Life and Background
Cole Butcher was born on August 31, 1996, and raised in the small coastal community of Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is the son of Darrin and Ann Butcher, the owners of Atlantic Tiltload, a regional business that has long been associated with the family. Growing up in a household with deep ties to the Maritime racing scene gave Butcher early exposure to competition and a steady grounding in his home province.
He is the brother of Jarrett Butcher, who also competes in stock car racing. The brothers share a passion for short-track competition, and their family support has been a constant throughout Cole’s career. His upbringing near several Atlantic Canadian oval tracks helped shape his path toward a professional racing career.
Path to NASCAR
Butcher built his resume on regional and national late model tours before reaching the NASCAR national series level. He earned championships on the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour in 2016 and 2018, and he added wins in major events like the Toromont Cat 250 in both 2016 and 2017. These early successes established him as one of the top short-track talents in eastern Canada.
As his reputation grew, Butcher began competing further south in the United States, racing in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, the ASA CRA Super Series, the NASCAR Weekly Series, and the ASA Southern Super Series. He continued to add marquee victories, including a CARS Pro Late Model Tour win at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2023, before eventually getting the opportunity to move into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Cole Butcher Career
Early Career
Butcher’s early career was anchored on the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour, where he won back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2018. During the same stretch, he also captured the Toromont Cat 250 in both 2016 and 2017, building a strong résumé on the Maritime Pro Stock circuit. These wins showed his ability to handle long-distance, high-pressure events.
ASA STARS National Tour Breakthrough
Butcher emerged as a regular winner on the ASA STARS National Tour, recording seven victories and a best points finish of second in 2023. He later captured the series championship in 2025, cementing his status as one of the premier late model drivers in the country. Along the way, he also won the Oxford 250 in both 2022 and 2023, one of the most prestigious short-track races in North America.
He added the Redbud 400 in 2023, the Winchester 400 in 2024, the Florida Governor’s Cup in 2025, and another Redbud 400 in 2025. These major-event wins, combined with his ASA STARS title, marked the defining stretch of his late model career and created a clear path toward NASCAR.
Halmar Friesen Racing Era
On August 10, 2025, it was announced that Butcher would attempt to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 62 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing. He started 21st and finished two laps down in 23rd, gaining valuable experience on one of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks. He later returned to the team for a start at Phoenix Raceway in October 2025.
Notable Races and Milestones
Butcher’s signature achievements include his Oxford 250 victories in 2022 and 2023, the Redbud 400 wins in 2023 and 2025, the 2024 Winchester 400, and the 2025 Florida Governor’s Cup. His 2025 ASA STARS National Tour championship stands as the crowning milestone of his late model career to date.
Cole Butcher Career Wins
Cole Butcher has built a strong multi-series win ledger that spans Canadian Pro Stock events and major United States late model races. His victories are concentrated on the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour, the ASA STARS National Tour, and several of the most respected crown jewel events in short-track racing.
ASA STARS National Tour Highlights
Butcher has recorded seven ASA STARS National Tour wins, with his best points finish of second coming in 2023. He completed his climb to the top of the series by winning the ASA STARS National Tour championship in 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the ASA STARS National Tour, Butcher is a two-time East Coast International Pro Stock Tour champion, winning the title in 2016 and 2018. He also won the Toromont Cat 250 in both 2016 and 2017, and he is a two-time Oxford 250 winner, taking the prestigious Maine event in 2022 and 2023. Additional crown jewel wins include the 2023 and 2025 Redbud 400, the 2024 Winchester 400, and the 2025 Florida Governor’s Cup.
Cole Butcher Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Butcher comes from a family closely tied to both business and racing. His parents, Darrin and Ann Butcher, are the owners of Atlantic Tiltload, a Maritime-based company that has long supported his racing efforts. His brother, Jarrett Butcher, also competes in stock car racing, giving the family two active drivers in the sport.
Personal Life
Butcher was raised in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, and continues to be identified with his Maritime roots while racing across North America. His family’s involvement in Atlantic Tiltload has provided a stable support system for his career on the track.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a major step forward in Cole Butcher’s career, highlighted by his ASA STARS National Tour championship. He added high-profile crown jewel wins at the Florida Governor’s Cup and the Redbud 400, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most consistent late model racers in the country. These results also set the stage for his move into NASCAR’s national series ladder.
During the same season, Butcher made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway with Halmar Friesen Racing in the No. 62 Toyota, finishing 23rd after starting 21st. He later returned to the seat at Phoenix Raceway in October 2025, gaining additional seat time and building a working relationship with the Halmar Friesen organization.
By the close of 2025, Butcher had positioned himself as a rising Canadian talent with both a national late model title and NASCAR national series experience. The combination of major race wins, an ASA STARS championship, and his Truck Series debut laid a clear foundation for the next phase of his career heading into 2026.
