March 24, 2024

Nova Scotia, Canada’s Cole Butcher headed south and had a dominant showing in the Sunshine State 200 at Five Flags Speedway. This marked his first win in the 2024 ASA STARS National Tour season, along with his first ever win at the famed race track in Pensacola, Florida.

Butcher not only won the race, but also won the opening stage. His Wilson Motorsports teammate of Gio Ruggiero picked up the Stage 2 win, and was Butcher’s biggest opposition on his way to victory lane.

Ruggiero would eventually fall to third place to round out the podium, finishing behind second place Stephen Nasse. California native Jacob Gomes had a strong run to finish in fourth, with polesitter Matthew Craig rounding out the top five.

“We were just really good, no matter if we were on old tires or new tires,” Butcher told Liberty Racing Review. “We were racing Gio, which was just good hard racing. I was able to cross him over and here we are standing in victory lane. We did some testing here and found something that really works with these tires. Hopefully it works at Hickory.”

The points leader heading into the Sunshine State 200, Bubba Pollard, suffered an engine issue which sidelined him in the third and final stage, handing the points lead over to Cole Butcher. With this victory handing Butcher the lead in the ASA STARS National Tour championship standings, the Canadian wheelman is extra optimistic about his upcoming endeavors.

“Full schedule,” said Butcher. “ASA National Tour, a couple PASS races, a couple races back in Nova Scotia, yeah we got a busy year. Got a baby on the way, so looking forward to it.”

Sunshine State 200 Results:

1. Cole Butcher
2. Stephen Nasse
3. Gio Ruggiero
4. Jacob Gomes
5. Matthew Craig
6. Michael Hinde
7. Jake Finch
8. Colby Howard
9. Jett Noland
10. Sean Hingorani
11. Casey Roderick
12. Billy VanMeter
13. Conner Jones
14. Albert Francis
15. Jace Hansen -1 lap
16. Jo Lawrence -8 laps
17. Bubba Pollard -25 laps
18. John Bolen -44 laps
19. Kyle Steckly -50 laps
20. Connor Okrzesik -57 laps
21. Michael Atwell -59 laps
22. Dustin Smith -109 laps
23. Dawson Sutton -123 laps
24. Caden Kvapil -123 laps
25. Michael Goddard -124 laps
26. Austin Nason -125 laps
27. Kasey Kleyn -126 laps
28. Timothy Watson -149 laps
29. Dylan Fetcho -182 laps