On March 2, 2025, the Florida Sports Park in Naples roared to life for the thrilling Bud Cup Finals, capping the 2024/2025 Swamp Buggy racing season. Eddie Chesser, piloting the fierce “The Outlaw” in the premier Pro-Modified class, claimed victory in the winners’ circle, solidifying his dominance on the infamous Mile O’ Mud track.
Race Highlights
The day’s action kicked off with Race #1 in the RM/SS 300 class, where Jason Maki surged to first place, followed closely by Kieran Loewen in second and Ken Bruce in third, per unofficial Facebook results. Crowds cheered as mud-caked buggies powered through water pits and swampy terrain, their oversized tires churning up Everglades muck at breakneck speeds. Pro-Modified delivered the premier spectacle, with Chesser’s skillful navigation securing top honors amid roaring engines and flying debris.
This event marked the season finale after earlier races like the Winter Classic, drawing families and adrenaline junkies to witness Southwest Florida’s unique motorsport tradition born in 1949.
Key Competitors and Wins
Eddie Chesser’s Pro-Modified triumph highlighted his prowess, building on prior season successes. Jason Maki’s early RM/SS 300 win set a high bar, showcasing precision in the competitive field. Kieran Loewen and Ken Bruce rounded out the podium, battling intense conditions that tested drivers’ grit and buggy engineering.
Custom rigs—modified Jeeps with massive wheels and supercharged V8s—faced off in classes from V8 Sportsman to Air-Cooled, embodying Naples’ rugged spirit.
Race-day action
The photo of Chesser’s buggy blasting through the water captures exactly why swamp buggy racing is such a draw in Southwest Florida: power, speed, and a course that can turn into a wall of spray in seconds. On race day, drivers had to balance throttle and control while battling deep water and soft mud, making every pass a test of both machine and skill.
Swamp buggy history
Swamp buggy racing goes back to the 1940s in Naples, when local residents adapted rugged vehicles to move through the wet, difficult terrain of Southwest Florida. The sport’s roots trace to early swamp buggies like the original “Tumble Bug,” and the first official Swamp Buggy Races were held in 1949. Today, the event remains one of Naples’ best-known traditions, blending local history, engineering, and a uniquely Florida kind of spectacle.
Why it matters
The March 2 Bud Cup Finals were more than just a race; they were the finish line for a long season and a celebration of a regional tradition that still pulls in families, fans, and photographers every year. Chesser’s Pro-Modified win, Maki’s early-class victory, and the mud-splattered action across the track gave the finale the kind of energy that defines swamp buggy racing at its best.
EL Jefe’ races along at the March 2nd 2025 Swamp Buggy Races
People gather at the grandstands at the March 2nd 2025 Swamp Buggy Races
