Condensed - Cole Butcher: From Bandolero Champ to Oxford 250 Defender
July 17th, 2023
Cole Butcher, a second-generation racer, shifted gears from motocross-style dirt bike interests to car racing, debuting in the Scotia Speedworld Bandolero division in 2006. By 2010, his 9 wins of an 11 race slate earned him the division championship.
In 2012, Butcher claimed both the Scotia Speedworld track series championship and the Maritime League of Legends touring series championship, and tested in a Pro Stock for the first time. His skills took him to the US INEX circuit, marking his international racing debut. He continued his Legends division victories with championship wins in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Butcher's talent was recognized with his inclusion as a finalist in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program. In 2013, he debuted in the full-bodied cars category, quickly making an impression by finishing 10th in the Maritime Pro Stock Tour. He improved to 4th in points in his sophomore year.
2015 marked Butcher's Pro All Star Series (PASS) & Oxford Plains Speedway debut. Despite initial setbacks, he successfully qualified for the Oxford 250, finishing 17th. He placed second in the Maritime Pro Stock Tour in his third season, securing his first series win en route to 2 total wins. His career hit a new high in 2016, with 3 wins including the prestigious CAT 250 at Scotia Speedworld. His performance was further highlighted with a 6th place Snow Flake 100 debut at Five Flags Speedway in Florida.
In 2017, he made waves with a runner-up debut at the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motorspeedway, and despite running incomplete schedules at home in 2017 and 2018, he was 1 point shy of his second Maritime Pro Stock Tour championship in 2017, and won it in 2018.
At Oxford, Butcher steadily improved his performance, getting a runner-up result in a 150-lap feature, he secured his first PASS victory at home turf Petty International Raceway in New Brunswick, and figured out the challenging Oxford 250 with a 6th place finish in 2019. His winning continued at home during COVID in 2020 and 2021, as well as an appearance at the All American 400, and 2 stellar appearances in the Snowball Derby, including a podium finish.
In 2022, Butcher made a significant comeback in PASS, notching a 2nd place Easter Bunny 150, and later began a still continuing streak of 4 wins in 5 starts, including the 49th Oxford 250. As the racing world eagerly awaits the 50th running of the Oxford 250, featuring a $50,000 USD to win reward + lap money, Cole Butcher looks to defend his victory. As we gear up for the Oxford 250, it remains clear: Cole Butcher in his red #53 will take a break from his consistent, strong performances in his Donnie Wilson #28 in the revitalized, legendary ASA National Tour series schedule to head to Maine, where he will be a car to watch.
