LOUDON, NH – For Cole Butcher, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) may not technically be his home track, but it has always felt like the closest thing to it.
The Porter’s Lake, NS native will make his NHMS debut in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) this August, racing in front of family, friends and fans who’ve followed his career throughout Atlantic Canada and New England. More than a dozen campsites have already been reserved by supporters making the trip south, turning race weekend into a homecoming of its own.
“I’m excited,” said Butcher. “I’ve raced up in New England probably the past 10 years between Oxford and some other racetracks out there, so it’s the closest thing to home. We have a ton of fans there from Nova Scotia and all around the Maritimes, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
For Butcher, NHMS is more than just another stop on the NCTS schedule. It’s a track he grew up visiting, dreaming of one day having the opportunity to race on the big track.
“The track has a lot of history,” said Butcher. “I’ve been going there quite a bit when I was a little kid, so just being on the track and being a part of the event is going to be something special in itself.”
The support waiting for Butcher extends well beyond the grandstands. Friends, family and fans from Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire and throughout the region are expected to create the largest cheering section that Butcher has seen all season.
“It’s just great to have that support,” he said. “Whether it be the Maritimes or Maine, New Hampshire, et cetera. I was told we have 12-plus camping sites, so that’s pretty amazing, and I’m sure it’s just going to grow. We’ll get up there, have some Maine lobster and just enjoy the weekend.”
While the atmosphere will certainly be special, Butcher hasn’t lost sight of the main objective – putting together a strong performance for the people who’ve supported him throughout his racing career.
“Just a good finish,” Butcher said, when asked what he’s looking forward to most. “I want to put on a show for my fans and kind of make everybody proud that a kid from Nova Scotia, Canada is racing in one of NASCAR’s top three series. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
A victory at New Hampshire would rank among the biggest accomplishments of Butcher’s career, adding to a resume that already includes one of New England’s most prestigious short-track victories in the Oxford 250.
“It would be great,” said Butcher. “My biggest win up in New England right now is the Oxford 250, so I’d be able to match that, if not exceed it. New Hampshire has a lot of history. I don’t know if we get to hold the lobster or not if we win. I don’t know if that’s a Cup thing or not, but that’d be pretty cool.”
The Team EJP 175 NCTS race is part of Doubleheader Saturday at NHMS that also features the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) Mohegan Sun 100.
For Butcher, experiencing everything NHMS has to offer is something every race fan should make time for.
“I mean, I’m going to be there, and all my ThorSport teammates are going to be there, so why wouldn’t you want to be there?” said Butcher. “The Truck Series and the Whelen Modified Tour put on a great show, and it’s two for one.”
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