Cole Butcher Bio
Cole Butcher (born August 31, 1996) is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing. Across his career, Butcher has built a résumé in short-track and late-model racing in North America, with championships in regional touring series and signature wins at some of the most prestigious late-model events.
Although best known for his work in the United States and Canada, Butcher also represents the strong stock car tradition of the Maritime Provinces. His results on ovals have earned him a reputation as a versatile driver capable of winning on a variety of track types.
Early Life and Background
Cole Butcher was born on August 31, 1996, in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up in a region with deep roots in short-track racing, Butcher was exposed to stock car competition at a young age. His brother, Jarrett Butcher, also competes in racing, and the two have been linked through their shared presence in the sport.
Butcher developed his skills on local ovals in the Maritimes, where regional stock car programs provided a foundation for young drivers. The competitive environment around Porters Lake helped him transition from local racing to the larger provincial and national series. His family background in racing helped shape his early career and supported his move up the stock car ladder.
Path to NASCAR
Butcher built his reputation through Canadian and regional American late-model tours. He won the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour championship in 2016 and again in 2018, which established him as one of the top short-track drivers in eastern Canada. These championships gave him the visibility needed to pursue opportunities in the United States.
He continued to climb the ladder by competing in series such as the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, the ASA STARS National Tour, the ASA CRA Super Series, the NASCAR Weekly Series, and the ASA Southern Super Series. In 2022, he added one of the most prestigious short-track victories in North America by winning the Oxford 250, and he repeated that success in 2023. These results helped him gain the attention of NASCAR teams and paved the way for his national-series debut.
Cole Butcher Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Butcher’s early career was defined by his dominance in the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour. He captured his first tour championship in 2016, which included a win in the Toromont Cat 250. He followed that with another Toromont Cat 250 win in 2017, cementing his place as one of the top drivers in the series.
In 2018, Butcher earned his second East Coast International Pro Stock Tour title. Those back-to-back championships established his reputation as a consistent winner and prepared him for opportunities in larger American series.
ASA STARS National Tour Breakthrough (2019–2024)
After his success in Canada, Butcher moved south to compete in the ASA STARS National Tour, one of the premier late-model series in the United States. He has accumulated seven career wins in the series, with his best points finish of second coming in 2023. His results on the tour have shown steady growth as he adapted to longer races and a wider range of tracks across the country.
During this period, Butcher also won major late-model events. He captured the Redbud 400 in 2023, the Oxford 250 in 2022 and 2023, and the Winchester 400 in 2024. He also won a race at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2023 on the CARS Pro Late Model Tour. These marquee wins positioned him as a leading candidate for NASCAR national-series opportunities.
Halmar Friesen Racing Era (2025–Present)
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 Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing. He started the race in 21st and finished two laps down in 23rd, completing his first national-series start.
In October 2025, it was confirmed that Butcher would continue with Halmar Friesen Racing at Phoenix Raceway. The partnership marked an important step in his career as he worked to expand his presence in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He also added the Florida Governor’s Cup and another Redbud 400 victory to his résumé during the 2025 season.
Notable Races and Milestones
Butcher’s list of signature races includes two Oxford 250 wins (2022, 2023), two Redbud 400 wins (2023, 2025), the 2024 Winchester 400, and the 2025 Florida Governor’s Cup. He also captured the Toromont Cat 250 in 2016 and 2017, and made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2025. These results reflect his success at the most storied short tracks in North American stock car racing.
Cole Butcher Career Wins
Cole Butcher has built a record of victories in Canadian and American stock car racing, including two East Coast International Pro Stock Tour championships, seven ASA STARS National Tour wins, and multiple major late-model events.
ASA STARS National Tour Highlights
Butcher has recorded seven wins in the ASA STARS National Tour as of 2025, with a career-best points finish of second in 2023. His victory total on the tour reflects his consistency against established late-model competitors across the United States. He has also collected wins in major events connected to the national late-model calendar, including the Oxford 250, Redbud 400, Winchester 400, and Florida Governor’s Cup.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his ASA STARS success, Butcher won the East Coast International Pro Stock Tour championship in 2016 and 2018, along with the Toromont Cat 250 in 2016 and 2017. He also won a CARS Pro Late Model Tour race at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2023. These regional and short-track results have made him one of the most successful Canadian late-model drivers of his generation.
Cole Butcher Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cole Butcher is the brother of Jarrett Butcher, who also competes in stock car racing. The siblings share a connection to the Maritime racing scene, and their family’s involvement in the sport has helped shape Cole’s development as a driver. Their shared presence in the sport reflects a household that has supported careers in motorsports.
Personal Life
Cole Butcher is a Canadian national who was born and raised in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia. His personal life has remained closely tied to his racing career, and he has continued to build his identity as a touring late-model and stock car driver. Additional details about his personal life are not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Cole Butcher, highlighted by his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Halmar Friesen Racing. He announced his attempt at Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2025, driving the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, and finished 23rd after running two laps down. In October 2025, the team confirmed he would also race at Phoenix Raceway, expanding his national-series schedule.
Outside of the Truck Series, Butcher continued to collect major late-model victories. He won the Florida Governor’s Cup and added a second Redbud 400 title to his résumé in 2025. He also remained a top contender on the ASA STARS National Tour, where he has built a record of seven wins through the season.
With Halmar Friesen Racing and Toyota, Butcher is positioned to grow his NASCAR presence while balancing a full late-model calendar. His 2025 results suggest continued progress and momentum as he works toward a fuller national-series schedule in upcoming seasons.