Posted by Langley Austin on January 26, 2008, 4:06 pm
Board Administrator

Sutherland, VA ~ Champion Late Model Stock Car driver, Brandon Butler made his return to racing after nearly a year and a half of being on the sidelines, in the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville Speedway. Butler made his return with McCray Motorsports in a brand new Dodge Charger #8 with a familiar sponsor on board. Bailey's Cigarettes returned to sponsor the veteran driver and Butler had a good run, one on which he had hope to build on as they raced into the rest of the season ending big races. Unfortunately for Butler and team owner, Dean McCray that success didn't come, the team continued to have problems in the season ending races they competed in and after the season ended McCray decided to sell the equipment and get out as a team owner. Butler, who also works full time for McCray Electric, a company owned and operated by McCray says he will try to return in 2008. "We bought one of the cars and if we can get a sponsor, we're going to run at South Boston Speedway this season," said Butler in a recent phone interview. Butler has the car and is trying to work out an engine deal with Dannie Cox of Cox Racing Engines in Ramseur, NC, the same engine builder that helped make the veteran driver a success in past seasons. Along with the familiar engine builder, there's a chance that Butler may get back together with his former sponsor, Bailey's to make a run at the South Boston Speedway championship, but admits that racing isn't a must anymore. "I've spent a lot of my life racing, I moved up North to take a Busch East Series ride and I've spent a lot of weekends at race tracks, but now that I have a wife and a son racing comes second, family is my priority," continued Butler. In racing we all know that race teams come and go and for Butler he says this deal is what it is. "I came here for a job and nothing to do with racing, I'm the Saefty Coordinator for McCray Electric and I still work here. The racing for me was just a bonus, it was the icing on the cake," concluded Butler. No matter what Butler does this season whether he's behind the wheel of a race car or just spending time with his family he'll be enjoying it and he'll be successful at it.