Rising Star Cole Butcher, Local Race Car Driver - A Preview of The Clash 250 at Scotia Speedworld, and Why it Matters

July 21st, 2023

Did you know that we have a homegrown racing star right here in Nova Scotia? Meet Cole Butcher, son of former racer Darrin Butcher, and older brother to fellow racer Jarrett Butcher. Cole is a rising talent in the world of North American asphalt racing. From humble beginnings in the Maritimes to his impressive exploits on the international stage, Butcher is leaving a trailblazing path in a highly competitive sport.

Born on August 31, 1996, Butcher, at 26 years old, has swiftly ascended through the ranks of North American racing, particularly in the late model racing discipline. As of now, he is ranked second in the ASA National Tour Series, a legendary Short Track series with a long, storied history, which once played a significant role in countless future NASCAR stars, and hall of famers, until it fell on hard financial times. It has been revitalized this year, and is the premier racing series in North America, showing the very best of the discipline, and regularly featuring NASCAR Cup Series stars when their schedule permits, like Most Popular Driver Chase Elliot, William Byron, and Erik Jones returning to their late model roots to participate.

Beginnings in Nova Scotia

Butcher's story began here in Nova Scotia, where he started his late model career racing in the Maritime Pro Stock Tour (Now East Coast International Pro Stock Tour). During his time in the Maritime Pro Stock Tour, Butcher emerged as a force to be reckoned with, winning many features, including the prestigious CAT 250 (now called The Clash 250) twice in a row in 2016 and 2017. He even clinched the Championship title three times, in 2016, 2018, and a very COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.

Venturing Beyond Borders

Eager to pit his skills against the best in the business, Butcher ventured into the American Super Late Model (SLM) racing scene. Despite being a newcomer, he quickly earned a reputation for his ability to adapt to new tracks and conditions, often securing high qualifying positions.

His strong performances earned him podium finishes at iconic races like the Snowball Derby, the very biggest race of the discipline, and he's appeared in other crown-jewel races like the All American 400 and Winchester 400, as well. In fact he just won the historic Redbud 400 for the ASA Stars National Tour series, and last year won the biggest race in the Northeast, the 49th running of the Oxford 250, part of the Pro All Star Series (PASS). These are races that have been won by guys like Chase Elliot and Kyle Busch, a who's who of both up and coming, and current NASCAR Stars, or even Hall of Famers, as well as stars of the late model discipline, like Bubba Pollard. Cole's drive and dedication shone through even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, as he continued to deliver commendable performances in the limited races he could participate in.

Making a Mark in 2022-23

After beginning a red hot string of PASS races in 2022, which has continued into this year, Butcher has also committed to a full season in the ASA Stars National Tour series. So far, he has proven his status against an elite field, standing second in the series just behind the series leader, NASCAR Truck Series driver Ty Majeski. Butcher's consistency and speed, combined with his tactical approach, have made him a formidable competitor in the racing scene.

Why Should You Care?

You might be wondering why this matters. While we may be a bit more accustomed to seeing our rising sports stars in a hockey rink, simply put, Cole Butcher's story is a testament to Nova Scotia's capacity to produce world-class talent in a competitive theatre. And despite his excellent pedigree, the competition in the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour doesn't make it a walk in the park for him, either, as he faces stiff competition in a strong racing scene with drivers from all over the Maritimes, and sometimes beyond showing up to these races.

On August 12th,The Summer Clash 250, formerly known as the CAT 250, will take place. This event carries significant weight in the racing scene and is a platform where previous talent, the late Scott Fraser, Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, honed his skills before venturing out to the top of the short track racing world in the original iteration of ASA.

To witness the exciting spectacle of speed, skill, and strategy firsthand, and support local sports, The Clash 250 is well worth the experience. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, it promises to be a thrilling experience. And who knows, you might just catch a glimpse of the next Cole Butcher in action!