Craftsman Truck Series

All four of Butler's Truck Series events came during the 1997 season, when he finished 51st in points. He made his debut at Phoenix, blowing an engine midway through the race and finishing a disappoiting 29th. More engine issues also left him 29th at Evergreen and then later on a crash would leave him 35th at Loudon in his series finale. But Butler had a respectable race at the I-70 Speedway, completing all but four laps to record a career-best 17th place finish.

Nationwide Series

'97 was also the year Butler made his Nationwide (then Busch Series) debut. Starting 34th at Richmond (his home track), Butler was running respectably until a late crash knocked him out of contention and into the 38th place slot.

Butler's other four series starts came during the 2000 season. He started off with just a deal with Graybar Electric Company to compete in both Richmond events. After struggling to 32nd in the May event at the track, Butler improved greatly when the series returned to the track in September. In that event, Butler ran on the lead lap all night to record a career-best 14th place finish. Then, Wayne Grubb vacated his #83 ride for Butler, allowing Butler to make two other starts during the year. Butler was impressive in his first start with Grubb's team, finishing 16th at Dover, but struggled to 40th due to electrical problems at Memphis. That would turn out to be Butler's final major NASCAR start.

Weekly Series

Butler, though, rebounded from his mediocre major-league career in 2001. Competing in the Weekly Series, Butler captured five victories and eighteen top-fives in nineteen starts at his the famed South Boston. Those efforts propelled Butler back into the national limelight as he went onto win the 2001 Atlantic Seaboard division.

External Links

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