0.001 Seconds and a Southern Redemption: Cole Butcher Eyes ASA SSS Doubleheader
#26 Cole Butcher celebrating his 2024 ASA SSS Mobile Intl Speedway victory - Photo Courtesy of Reid Scott - Liberty Racing Review
April 7th, 2025
As the ASA Southern Super Series returns to Florida & Alabama this weekend for its first back-to-back race stretch of the season—Friday night at Five Flags Speedway, and Saturday at Mobile International Speedway—one story-line looms larger than any other: Cole Butcher’s redemption arc.
It was just over a year ago when Butcher, already a rising star in the Super Late Model world, looked poised to dominate the same doubleheader weekend. In the Friday night leg at Five Flags, he surged to the lead early, showing blistering speed and creating a significant gap over the field, leading 23 of the first 26 laps. But as fate would have it, a wheel issue sent the No. 28 hard into the wall, ending his night and wiping out what looked like a statement performance in the making.
What followed was the kind of response that defines elite competitors. The next night at Mobile, Butcher rolled out a backup car and bided his time. He wasn’t the fastest all race, but he was the best when it counted most—leading the final two laps and edging Jake Finch at the line by 0.002 seconds. Redemption delivered, if only just.
That narrow margin was shortened even more as a reversed echo to start the 2025 SSS campaign:
Déjà Vu: Subtract a Thousandth
At Speedfest, the season opener at Cordele Speedway, Butcher was once again in the mix late. Despite leading laps and putting the race under his control, leading 111 of 150 laps, he was edged out at the line by 0.001 seconds—this time by Colby Howard, who snatched second place behind Bubba Pollard who passed Butcher with 12 laps remaining for his 4th straight Speedfest victory.
If 2024’s Mobile win was poetic justice, 2025’s season opener was the universe playing games. Butcher now sits atop the SSS standings with 286 points, holding a razor-thin 1-point advantage over rookie teammate Gavan Boschele, the reverse of Boschele's 1-point advantage over Butcher following ASA STARS National Tour Race #2 - That gap has since grown, as Butcher has taken a clear lead. The doubleheader presents an enormous opportunity to build that SSS gap—and widen his gap as leader of both series, a distinction he currently holds.
Five Flags: The Proving Grounds
No conversation about Cole Butcher can happen without talking about Five Flags Speedway. It’s not just a track—it’s one of the primary stages upon which Butcher has transformed from a Canadian standout to a southeastern powerhouse.
With 15 career starts at the Pensacola half-mile, Butcher has compiled 8 top-five finishes (53.33%) and 11 top-tens (73.33%). Over the years, he’s shown his adaptability by charging through the field from deep starting positions, while also capitalizing when he qualifies up front. His Snowball Derby record, too, stands strong with four top-fives and two sixth-place finishes since 2019.
But it’s his dominance at Five Flags in ASA-sanctioned competition that sets him apart now. Last month, Butcher delivered a statement win in the ASA STARS Sunshine State 200—his second in a row at that event—leading 130 of 207 laps. It wasn’t just a win; it was an announcement. Butcher doesn’t just contend at Five Flags anymore. He controls the pace.
A Doubleheader with Double Stakes
With Five Flags on Friday and Mobile on Saturday, the SSS points picture could shift dramatically. Boschele, Nasse, Pollard, and Howard—all within striking distance—pose serious threats [Author Note: I don't believe Howard will be running the full schedule, however]. But Butcher’s momentum may push him over the top this weekend.
Nothing could be more fitting than returning to the site of last year’s heartbreak and rewriting the script. Will he sweep the weekend? Could we see a decisive statement in the SSS title race? If history and form are any guide, Butcher has 2 his eyes set on 2 checkered flags.
Rookie Radar: Gavan Boschele Turning Heads Early
While Cole Butcher’s quest for redemption headlines this weekend’s ASA Southern Super Series doubleheader, rookie teammate #24 Gavan Boschele is quickly building a strong case as a breakout star in the making.
At barely 17 years old, Boschele has already shown poise beyond his years. Driving for Wilson Motorsports, he’s closely matched Butcher, and after 3 SSS races, sits just one point behind him in the standings with 285 points.
Boschele’s SSS debut at Cordele was especially impressive. Butcher dominated that race, leading 111 of 150 laps, but Boschele held his own in traffic and came home with a solid fourth-place finish—a strong opener for any driver, let alone a rookie.
He didn’t wait long to cement his mark. In the next event—the Clyde Hart Memorial at New Smyrna Speedway, which doubled as the ASA STARS opener and the second SSS points race—Boschele took his first career Super Late Model win, out dueling a stout field that included veterans and champions alike.
