May 23, 2024
Last time the ASA STARS National Tour hit the track, it was Cole Butcher who took the win in the Sunshine State 200 in Pensacola. Butcher has continued that streak with his win in the Tar Heel 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Butcher’s win was not just his second consecutive win with the ASA STARS National Tour, but it was also his second consecutive ASA Southern Super Series win, coming off a photo finish victory in Mobile. For Wilson Motorsports, it is another consecutive win in the Tar Heel 250, as Gio Ruggiero won the race in 2023.
Butcher rallied from an 11th-place starting position, methodically making his way to the front while battling a tight race car.
“We just tried to gain as much track position as possible, but I was way too tight. My team did everything they could on every pit stop to free me up and luckily at the end it was just where I needed it.” said Butcher.
“Hats off to [Wilson Motorsports] . They’re the reason why we won this race tonight. Just can’t thank them enough.”
While Butcher took the lead with 17 laps remaining, there were several other cars in contention for the win that had their races ended prematurely.
Brent Crews took the early and dominant lead, but he and Matt Craig had a very tight contest for the lead in the second stage, trading paint on numerous occasions. Crews eventually fell to second and was in the process of holding off Casey Roderick, but contact sent Crews into the wall, ending his night.
Another incident had occured with Crews before the contact from Roderick, as Kyle Steckley spun on the inside of Crews, ending his night as well.
Another frontrunner turned disappointed finisher was NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott, who ran in second for a majority of the first half of the night, but a mechanical issue sidelined him before he could take the lead.
“They were just racing really hard and I’m not really sure why. I appreciate Casey [Roderick] racing me clean and respectfully,” said Cole Butcher on the other frontrunners.
Casey Roderick would secure the runner-up spot, with Dawson Sutton rounding out the podium. Matt Craig and NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The next stop for the ASA STARS National Tour will be Madison International Raceway on Friday, June 14. The race is part of a Father’s Day weekend doubleheader, with a race at The Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, June 16.
ASA Tar Heel 250 Results:
- Cole Butcher
- Casey Roderick
- Dawson Sutton
- Matt Craig
- Josh Berry
- Bubba Pollard
- Stephen Nasse
- Derek Kraus
- Connor Okrzesik
- William Sawalich
- Conner Jones
- Austin Nason
- Dustin Smith
- Michael Hinde
- Billy VanMeter -1 lap
- Jett Noland -24 laps
- Brent Crews -54 laps
- Jackson Boone -66 laps
- Kyle Steckley -82 laps
- Chase Elliott -121 laps
- Caden Kvapil -132 laps
- Gavan Boschele -135 laps
- Justin Crider -143 laps
- Kodie Conner -216 laps
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