From discovering Bandolero racing during a Disney Channel segment to standing in victory lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sam Butler has had quite the journey. Starting from his local Quarter-Midget track to now racing in Late Models and the Legend Car Semi-Pro Division, he's proving that mindset, preparation, and raw talent are what it takes to rise through the ranks.

Hometown: Delphi, Indiana

Number: 81

Division: Semi-Pro

Team: Miller Performance Motorsports

1. How did you get your start in racing?

I was on the couch one day watching Disney Channel, and there was a section that came across about what kids do and their hobbies. One of the sections that came across my screen was a Bandolero and I told my dad that I wanted to do that. At the time we were still living in Indiana, so he looked up go-kart racing or Bandolero racing. There were none really around us however, there was a Quarter-Midget track 20 minutes away from my house. We went there that weekend and a guy named Larry Cleveland walked up to me and offered me to drive one around the track because he could tell I was jumping with excitement. That's how it started, it developed from Quarter-Midgets and on.

2. How did you pick the number 81?

It was number eight and then when I went to Late Model Stocks, Josh Berry was number eight as well. We didn't want to do the same, kinda wanted to be a little different. It was a big mathematical equation that we had and I forgot what the equation was but it turned out to be 81. That’s been my number and I’ve latched on to it since 2020.

3. Who is your biggest inspiration?

I got a few but when I was younger, Dale Earnhardt Jr. just the way he went about every situation. He’s very well spoken and the way he looks at things are similar to the way I like to look at things. That's how it started and then everyone I’ve met along the way who's been a crew chief of mine has been a very big inspiration.   

4. What is your favorite racing memory?

I have two. One of the biggest accomplishments and that’s always in my mind is when I won the Bojangles Summer Shootout in 2019 as a Young Lion. A year later, I won the Bobby Issac Memorial race at Hickory Motor Speedway against Josh Berry and Ryan Millington. I was able to dominate that race and led it straightaway. The reason why it was so special to me is because at the beginning of that year, we were getting into wrecks a lot and I didn’t know if we would get out of the hole that we were in. That was my first win in a Late Model and it felt pretty good.  

5. How do you get focused before a race?

Race day I feel like a lot of people overthink it. For me the way I get focused is to just have a good time. I feel like people put too much pressure on it.  In 2021, I unfortunately had to quit the Late Model Scene that year and that year I felt like I took everything too seriously, I made it not fun. Being in the right mindset for me is just being able to be happy at the racetrack, being able to have fun, and being able to talk amongst my friends and the crew.

6. What is your favorite track?

I would say the most fun I’ve had in a Legend Car was probably the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. I had a lot of fun doing that. My second ever road course we won back in 2020, that one was a surprise for sure. I didn't realize I would do that well.

7. Between Late Models, Quarter-Midgets, and Legend Cars, which is the easiest and which is the most challenging?  

Driving-wise, Late models is the easiest. The Quarter-Midget is challenging because it's your first years of racing. That's where you learn your roots and where you understand everything. Driving a Legend Car has to be the hardest. Because [U.S. Legend Cars] mass produces everything to everyone, everyone is on a more equal playing field. So, when you go out it’s more driver than anything in a Legend Car.

8. What are some of the things you have done or continue to do in order to help improve your race craft?

Not get in my own head. That's a big thing for me. If I get in my head too much, I don’t do as well. As long as I can calm myself down, being able to have a lot of self-control. Back then I didn’t have a lot of self-control and I don’t know if that's come with age or being in a race car more but I would say the key thing for me is being in charge of myself.

9. What is the most challenging part of driving a Legend Car?

It takes such a different driving style from everything else that it is something unique.

10. You recently won the Round 4 Cook Out Summer Shootout Semi-Pro race, what does it take to win in that division every week?

Being consistent within yourself. Being able to have confidence in yourself. I have had a few friends that are fast but they show up to the racetrack and they’re not confident. I feel like if you aren’t confident, you should just stay home. It’s a big mind game. I’ve race with Zach [Miller] before, I know he brings good equipment to the racetrack every single time we go so I never really have to worry about that which is such a blessing and I am thankful for that.

11. What are your 2025 Racing goals? 

Be kinda cool to win Thursday Thunder at EchoPark Speedway and Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I would like to accomplish a few more late-model races this year.

12. What is your ultimate goal in motorsports? 

Ever since day one it’s been NASCAR. When I was in Late Models, I got a really good taste of it and really see where my career could go. Cup is the goal.

13. What advice would you give to drivers in the Charger and Young Lions Divisions about racing in the Semi-Pro Division? 

Be on your toes. There’s a lot of good people out there. Be aware of your surroundings. Be able to take advantage of people’s mistakes. The more you go up, the better people get and the less likely they are to make mistakes.