The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us.  No, we don’t mean Christmas. We mean the 49th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL (November 30 – December 4, 2016).  As one of the the greatest short track races in America draws nearer, it’s now time to take a first-look at the current entry list for this year’s event.

The Snowball Derby list boasts a strong 55+ entries with a month-and-a-half still to go until the big Super Late Model race. On the Pro Late Model side, over 40 entries have already been filed for the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100.  Additional entries are hitting the Five Flags Speedway mailbox each day.

“Since Tom Dawson held the first Snowball Derby in 1968, race fans have come to see the best against the best, and this year’s lineup truly will not disappoint,” said Snowball Derby promoter, Tim Bryant.  “I’m truly amazed as I go down the entry list at how many guys are capable of not only competing in the Snowball Derby, but winning the Snowball Derby.”

There are many big names on the Snowball Derby entry list, including that of Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Christopher Bell, who crossed the finish line first in 2015, but had the win taken away after a post-race tech inspection violation.  The current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Chase” driver is back for another go at the Tom Dawson Trophy this year.

Bell’s KBM teammate and current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader William Byron will also be heading to the Derby.

The 2014 winner of the Snowball Derby wants to add his name for a second time to the history books. John Hunter Nemechek is on the list in his familiar No. 8 machine.

The current track record holder and three-time ARCA Midwest Tour champion Ty Majeski has filed an entry. Majeski finished third in the 2015 Snowball Derby.

Donnie Wilson claimed the Southern Super Series championship in dominating fashion this year.  The Oklahoma driver is entered for another Snowball Derby, but he is still looking for his first win in the big race.

Bubba Pollard has been dominant at Five Flags Speedway this year in Super Late Model competition.  He has already filed an entry for this year’s Derby as he still seeks his first Tom Dawson Trophy. Casey Roderick took the Blizzard Series championship at Five Flags Speedway and he too is entered for the Derby in search of his first Derby win.

The West Coast has a few drivers hoping to bring the honor of winning the Snowball Derby back home with them.  SRL point leader Derek Thorn, Cole Moore, and Northwest Super Late Model Series champ Garrett Evans are a few of the drivers from the left side of the United States heading to Pensacola, Florida for the Snowball Derby.

North of the border will also be represented as Canadian and current CARS Tour point leader Raphael Lessard is entered in the race out of the David Gilliland Racing stables.

Other notable drivers entered include Harrison Burton, Christian Eckes, Brandon McReynolds, Spencer Davis, Kyle Grissom, Preston Peltier, Noah Gragson, Dalton Sargeant, Grant Enfinger, Casey Smith, Jeff Choquette, Kenzie Ruston and many more.

The first provisional entry list can be viewed below.

1    Derek Scott, Jr    Franklin, TX
11    David Rogers    Orlando, FL
12    Harrison Burton    Huntersville, NC
14    Chris Davidson    Pearland, TX
14    Connor Okrzesik    Grand Bay, AL
14L    Ryan Luza    Cypress, TX
15    Christian Eckes    Cornelius, NC
16    Brandon McReynolds    Mooresville, NC
16    Jacob Gomes    Manteca, CA
19    Kason Plott    Marietta, GA
2    Alex Rosenberry    New Philadelphia, OH
20    Spencer Davis    Dawsonville, GA
22    Trevor Noles    Fuquay-Varina, NC
23    Spencer Gallagher    Statesville, NC
26    Bubba Pollard    Senoia, GA
26    Chandler Smith    Jasper, GA
29    Caleb Adrian    Walcott, IA
2W    Donnie Wilson    Oklahoma City, OK
30    Bobby Knox, Jr.    Clanton, AL
31    Kyle Grissom    Concord, NC
36    Dan Fredrickson    Northfield, MN
4    Dalton Armstrong    New Castle, IN
4    Kyle Plott    Marietta, GA
42    Chad Finley    Dewitt, MI
43    Dennis Schoenfeld    Van Buren, AR
43    Derek Thorn    Bakersfield, CA
48    Preston Peltier    Concord, NC
4D    Dakoda Armstrong    Cornellius, NC
5    Korbin Forister    Cedartown, GA
5    Noah Gragson    Las Vegas, NV
51    Brandon Oakley    Beavercreek, OH
51    Christopher Bell    Norman, OK
51    Stephen Nasse    Pinellas Park, FL
55    Dalton Sargeant    Boca Raton, FL
58    Tyler Ankrum    Colton, CA
64    Garrett Evans    Wenatchee, WA
66    Logan Bearden    Leander, TX
67    Clay Rogers    Morresville, NC
68    Logan Bearden    Leander, TX
7    Casey Roderick    Lawrenceville, GA
77    Zane Smith    Huntington Beach, CA
79    Kyle Bryant    Navarre, FL
8    John Hunter Nemechek    Mooresville, NC
82    Grant Enfinger    Kannapolis, NC
88    Garrett Jones    Mooresville, NC
88    Roger Reuse    Birmingham, AL
9    Derek Kraus    Stratford, WI
9    Jeff Choquette    West Palm Beach, FL
9    William Byron    Charlotte, NC
91    Ty Majeski    Seymour, WI
97    Cole Anderson    Northfield, MN
97    Cole Moore    Granite Bay, CA
98    Kenzie Ruston    Mooresville, NC
98    Todd Gilliland    Sherrills Ford, NC
99    Casey Smith    Austin, TX
99    Raphael Lessard    St. Joseph, QC
H2    Bret Holmes    Munford, AL
112    Augie Grill    Hayden, AL