There hasn’t been much to celebrate in 2020 but the most stacked entry list in recent Snowball Derby history is certainly one of them.

This is the first time since the turn of the century that the lineup will include two NASCAR Cup Series champions, and the two most recent champions at that, in the form of Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch. There are also six former winners in the field: Elliott, Busch, Noah Gragson, Augie Grill and defending winner Travis Braden.

In total, there are 55 drivers on the final entry list, steady from last year, meaning that time trials on Friday will remain the most intense qualifying show in motorsports.

Bubba Pollard enters his 15th year chasing the Tom Dawson Trophy as the most decorated short track racer of his era, but this time returns with a different team, driving the No. 71 for TK Racing with crew chief Butch VanDoorn.

Stephen Nasse crossed the finish line first last year but was stripped of the victory in post-race technical inspection. Ty Majeski led the most laps in 2019 but was denied due to a disastrous restart that wiped out half the remaining field in the closing laps.

Redemption is on their minds.

There are so many good stories to be found across 5 Flags Speedway over the next five days, and that’s just a brief snippet of them.

Here are the topics we’re paying attention to during Snowball Derby week.

NASCAR STARPOWER

Busch and Elliott will earn the headlines, and rightfully so, but there is no shortage of names familiar to NASCAR national touring fans as well. Noah Gragson has become a regular in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports but won the Tom Dawson Trophy the last time he was here in 2018 and will reunite with Richie Wauters Motorsports for the 2020 race.

The NASCAR Truck Series will be well represented, headlined by 2015 ARCA champion Grant Enfinger, who has seven top-10s in nine Snowball Derby main event starts.

Several other Truck Series regulars, who have also been Derby regulars over the past decade, will also be represented in the form of Derek Kraus and Chandler Smith.

But again, the spotlight doesn’t need to find Elliott and Busch because they brought theirs with them. The two most recent NASCAR Cup Series champions will be looking for their third wins in the event. Busch won his Dawsons in 2009 and 2017. Elliott captured his in 2011 and 2015.

They bring a tremendous amount of attention to the Derby and will serve as gateway ambassadors to the discipline.

QUALIFYING FRIDAY

It’s the most exciting time trials show in all of motorsports.

The best way to describe Snowball Derby qualifying is Indianapolis 500 Bump Day during the heyday of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Only 30 drivers, of the 55 on the entry list, will lock into the main event from time trials, with everyone else who doesn’t have a provisional being forced into a last chance race.

There are only two drivers for sure locked into the main event: Defending winner Braden and reigning 5 Flags Speedway track champion Bubba Pollard. If Pollard drives into the field via time trials, that free pass will be passed throughout the top-10 in track standings if anyone needs it: Stephen Nasse, Jeremy Pate, Jake Garcia, Connor Okrzesik, Hunter Robbins, Boris Jurkovic, Kaden Honeycutt, Daniel Dye and Chris Davidson.

Super Late Model Promoters Have Discussed a National Touring Championship

BUBBA POLLARD’S NEW TEAM

This will be the 15th time the most decorated driver in Super Late Model racing has made the December trip to Pensacola but is still seeking the big prize. The 33-year-old has won virtually everything else in the discipline, including more races and championships than anyone else at 5 Flags Speedway, but just hasn’t found the combination of speed and fortune needed to add his name to the Tom Dawson Trophy.

To do so, Pollard has aligned himself with the most successful team in Super Late Model racing in 2020 with TK Racing and VanDoorn Racing Development, who swept the CRA Triple Crown races this summer with Carson Hocevar in the Redbud 400, Money in the Bank 150 and Winchester 400.

Pollard has spent the past several seasons driving a Senneker Race Cars chassis and sent the combination out a winner last month in the Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway. Pollard is hoping that same speed will power his veteran experience to the front of the field on Sunday at 5 Flags Speedway.

THE FAVORITES

Sure: Elliott, Busch, Pollard and Nasse are the favorites, but who else is in that group?

Ty Majeski led the most laps last year and looked poised to win before an ill-fated restart eliminated him and several others from contention. Casey Roderick won the All-American 400 last month in just his fifth start as a driver owner after his split from Ronnie Sanders Racing last year.

SRL Southwest Tour champion Derek Thorn captured the pole here last year and won the Pro Late Model Snowflake 100 as well. He contended for the win in the All-American 400 last month before a crash with Carson Hocevar ended his chances. He will be a factor on Sunday as well.

Hocevar swept the CRA Triple Crown and is looking to add the Derby to his resume.

Matthew Craig is the winningest driver in the Carolinas over the past five years and has paired with NASCAR winning and Late Model Stock winning crew chief Marcus Richmond.

As we saw last year, Travis Braden winning after crashing out in Happy Hour practice, and then crossing the line second but winning due to the Stephen Nasse disqualification. Anything can happen if you’re running in the top-10.

Ty Majeski Claims Newest Late Model Stock Crown Jewel in His Debut

‘THE UNDERDOGS’

Even though the headliners will receive much of the attention this week, there are so many good stories throughout the entire field.

Dan Frederickson has been winning races across the Midwest for 15 years but is starting to tackle the Snowball Derby with regularity.

There are drivers who have won races across the country, but in December at 5 Flags Speedway become definition underdogs, but it still wouldn’t be surprising to see them in contention on Sunday evening.

We’re talking local aces like Logan Boyett, or Carolina ace Kodie Conner, Southern Super Series contender Kyle Plott, Berlin race winner Boris Jurkovic or Daniel Dye fresh off a runner-up run in the Florida Governor’s Cup.

The point being: an underdog in the Snowball Derby main event just means you’re a regional superstar wherever else you travel in the country.

THE BROADCAST

This is the sixth year the Snowball Derby will be broadcast to a national audience via Speed51.com, but it’s even more important this year due to the pandemic keeping families at home this winter and with the increased interest in the race due to the NASCAR champions and stellar entry list.

As a result, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on the digital staff of Speed51 to get this right in terms of broadcast quality and reliability.

They’re up to the task.

Speed51 founder and president Bob Dillner has learned much over the past decade in terms of broadcasting the race over the radio and now via video. They’ve taken some hits as well in terms of lags and broken streams.

Much of the summer was spent towards building a new Speed51.TV and the platform is said to have addressed every complain filed by customers over the past several years.

SNOWFLAKE 100

The Pro Late Model main event on Saturday is the most prestigious race for the crate Late Model cars as well.

That race is just as star-studded as the Super Late Model race as well. Bubba Pollard, Stephen Nasse, Derek Thorn, Matt Craig, Kyle Plott, Connor Okrzesik, Hunter Jack and John DeAngelis are all poised for double duty.

NASCAR team owner Justin Marks will make his Snowflake 100 debut. NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Williams will make his Pro Late Model return. Fresh off winning the Prelude to the Florida Governor’s Cup, Ryan Luza will race in the Snowflake.

It’s the perfect prelude to the Snowball Derby itself.

SUPERSPREADER DERBY

It’s the pink elephant in the room.

COVID-19.

It would be irresponsible to not acknowledge the novel coronavirus as an element to the Snowball Derby. Nearly 20,000 will be in attendance on Sunday and many of them will be here throughout the entire week.

The race will take place in Florida, which has not imposed any restrictions over the summer, and this Snowball Derby will be contested pretty much like any other that came before it.

This isn’t to be patronizing, but if you’re attending the Snowball Derby, try to wear masks, mind your physical distance where possible and wash your hands. Do the right things by those around you.

Escambia County reported 739 new COVID-19 infections last week as its cumulative cases since the pandemic began grew to 16,729, according to the latest report from the Florida Department of Health. That’s the third consecutive week that Escambia County has topped 700. The county saw 800 new cases from Nov. 16 to 22 and 793 new cases from Nov. 9 to 15.

Santa Rosa County reported 432 more new cases last week to reach a cumulative 7,387. The week prior, the county 437 new cases.

The two counties nearest to 5 Flags Speedway has seen a steady and alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.

Inspectra Thermal Solutions will have installed temperature check stations at the entrance of the speedway for all attendees to pass through this week. The track is encouraging fans and participants to wear a mask. Hand sanitation stations have been placed throughout the facility.

A Conversation with Josh Berry and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

ENTRY LISTS

SUPER LATE MODELS

1	Michael House	Lewisburg, TN
2	Donnie Wilson	Oklahoma City, OK
2	Kaden Honeycutt	Aledo, TX
3	Ross Kenseth	DeFuniak Spring, FL
4	Kyle Plott	Marietta, GA
4M	Kyle Mccallum	Macon, GA
5	Casey Johnson	Edgerton, WI
7	John DeAngelis	Hubertus, WI
7	Paul Shafer, Jr.	Portage, IL
9	Chase Elliott	Dawsonville, GA
9	Derek Kraus	Stratford, WI
9	Hudson Halder	Cumming, GA
10	Ryan Crane	Panama City, FL
11	Logan Boyett	Pensacola, FL
12G	Derek Griffith	Hudson, NH
14	Austin Nason	Roscoe, IL
14	Carson Hocevar	Portage, MI
14	Chris Davidson	Alvin, TX
14	Connor Okrzesik	Grand Bay, AL
15	Gabe Sommers	Plover, WI
16	Cayden Lapcevich	Grimsby, ON, Canada
18	Hunter Robbins	Pensacola, FL
19	Kason Plott	Marietta, GA
21	Jeremy Pate	Pensacola, FL
24	Mason Diaz	Manasses, VA
25	Casey Roderick	Pulaski, MS
26	Travis Braden	Wheeling, WV
26S	Chandler Smith	Jasper, GA
29	Mason Keller	Plainfield, IN
30	Jeremy Doss	Upper Lake, CA
30	Jesse Dutilly	Bradenton, FL
32	Grant Enfinger	Fairhope, AL
35	Jake Garcia	Monroe, GA
36	Dan Fredrickson	Northfield, MN
43	Daniel Dye	Deland, FL
43	Derek Thorn	Bakersfield, CA
44	Bob Lyons	Agua Dulce, CA
44	Justin T. Johnson	Roxboro, NC
45	Kodie Conner	Kannapolis, NC
48	Preston Peltier	Las Vegas, NV
51	Kyle Busch	Las Vegas, NV
51	Michael Atwell	Naples, FL
51	Sammy Smith	Johnston, IA
51	Stephen Nasse	Pinellas Park, FL
53	Boris Jurkovic	Manhattan, IL
53	Cole Butcher	Hantsport, NS, Canada
54	Matt Craig	Kannapolis, NC
71	Bubba Pollard	Senoia, GA
78	Corey Heim	Davidson, NC
79	Kyle Bryant	Navarre, FL
81	TBA	Sarasota, FL
88	Perry Patino	Alabaster, AL
91	Ty Majeski	Charlotte, NC
112	Augie Grill	Hayden, AL
119	Dalton Zehr	Verona, WI

PRO LATE MODELS

3	Jim Weber	Homer Glen, IL
4	Elliott Massey	Lucedale, MS
4	Kyle Plott	Marietta, GA
6	Josh Williams	Concord, NC
7	Joey Pontbriand	Norway , MI
7	John DeAngelis	Cedarsburg, WI
8	Mark Day	Clarksville, TN
9	Hudson Halder	Cumming, GA
11	Jacob Beasock	Enterprise, AL
11	Jolynn Wilkinson	Hueytown, AL
12	Dan Leeck	Birch Run, MI
12	Justin Bonnett	Hayden, AL
14	Chris Davidson	Alvin, TX
14	Connor Okrzesik	Grand Bay, AL
15	Jake Johnson	Rehobeth, MA
18	Johanna Long Robbins	Pensacola, FL
22	Brandon Oakley	Dayton, OH
23	Dylan Smith	Mooresville, NC
24	Mason Diaz	Manasses, VA
26	Bubba Pollard	Senoia, GA
29	Mason Keller	Plainfield, IN
33	Dustin Smith	Mobile, AL
37	A.J. Wernette	Hondo, TX
38	Josh Hicks	McDonough, GA
40	Jordan Miller	Mocksville, NC
41	Hunter Jack	Auburn, IN
43	Dakota Stroup	Maceo, KY
43	Derek Thorn	Bakersfield, CA
51	Stephen Nasse	Pinellas Park, FL
53	Ryan Luza	Cypress, TX
54	Jarrett Butcher	Porters Lake, NS
54	Matt Craig	Kannapolis, NC
55	Charlie Keeven	Hazelwood, MO
67	Colin Allman	Plant City, FL
81	Jake Finch	Panama City, FL
84	Steven Chunn	Spring Hill, TN
88	Roger Reuse	Birmingham, AL
89	Dylan Fetcho	Lebanon, TN
89	Roger Reuse	Birmingham, AL
91	Jim Wall	Huntsville, AL
99	Justin Marks	Franklin, TN

SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2

9am	Rig Parking	By Line-Up Order in Parking Lot
11am	Tech Opens	Super Late Model & Pro Late Model
5pm	Cone Up at Tech Line	Tech closed to all cars after cone
6pm	PFC Brakes Qualifying Draw	Live Broadcast on Speed51.TV
8pm	Green Flag Pit Party	Muscogee Ridge Music at PFC Stage
10pm	Pits Closed

THURSDAY, DEC. 3

8am	Pits Open
9am	Driver’s Meeting	Near Tech Area
10am	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
11am	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
11:45am	Lunch Break
12:15pm	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
1:15pm	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
2pm	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
3pm	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
4:30pm	Drivers Meeting	Pro Trucks, Sportsmen & Pure Stocks
5pm	Practice	Pro Trucks, Sportsmen & Pure Stocks
5pm	Speed51’s The Bullring	Live in Fan Zone
6:45pm	Qualifying	Pro Trucks, Sportsmen & Pure Stocks
7:45pm	Opening Ceremonies
8pm	WCI Parts Pro Trucks	50 laps
	Dock of Pcola Beach Sportsmen	50 laps
	Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks	35 laps

FRIDAY, DEC. 4

8am	Pits Open
9am	Driver’s Meeting	Super Late Model & Pro Late Model
10am	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
10:45am	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
11:30am	Modified Practice
Noon	Tech Closes	Super Late Model & Pro Late Model
	Snowball Derby Qualifying Tires Released
1pm	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
2pm	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
	Mods to Pre-Qualifying Tech
3pm	Modified Qualifying	Lock in 28
	Super Late Models to Pre-Qualifying Tech
4:30pm	Modified Drivers Meeting	Turn One
5pm	Speed51’s The Bullring	Live in Fan Zone
6pm	Country Pleasin’ Sausage Pole Qualifying	Super Late Models
7:45pm	Pre-Race Cermonies
8pm	Modifieds of Mayhem Series Finale	75 laps

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

8am	Pits Open
8:30am	Pro Late Model Qualifying Tires Release	Tech Area
9am	Driver’s Meeting	SLM and PLM
10am	Pro Late Model Practice	Snowflake 100
11am	Outlaw Stock Practice
11:30am	Snowflake 100 Cars to Pre-Qualifying Tech	By Group
11:45am	Super Late Model Practice	Snowball Derby
1:30pm	Outlaw Stock Qualifying	Lock in 28
2pm	Snowflake 100 Qualifying	Lock in 30
	Snowflake Last Chance Race	50 laps / Transfer 4
	Snowball Derby Last Chance Race	50 laps / Transfer 4
	Outlaw Stocks B-Main	If necessary
6pm	Drivers Meeting	Outlaw Stocks
6:45pm	Pre-Race Ceremonies
7pm	Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100	100 laps
	Faith Chapel Outlaw Stocks	50 laps

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

7am	Pits Open	Crew Members Only
	Haulers Exit	(By 9am)
8am	Pits Open	All With Pit Passes
9:30am	Driver’s Meeting	Tech Area
10am	Worship Service	Frontstretch Area
Noon	Pre-Race Show Begins	Live on Speed51.TV
	Engine Warm-Ups	Cars to Grid
	Pre-Race Festivities Begin
12:30pm	Snowball Derby Class Photo	Frontstretch Stage
	Recognition of Track Champions & Other Dignitaries
1:15pm	Driver Introductions
	Best Appearing Car Award
1:45pm	Invocation / National Anthem
2pm	53rd Snowball Derby	300 laps

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