The 47th annual Snowball Derby starts today at Five Flags Speedway (FFS) in Pensacola. The event begins with a tech open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a free green flag party with autographs, food and beverages, live music, and a qualifying order drawing, according to the tentative schedule posted at www.5flagsspeedway.com.
Last year, then 17-year-old Erik Jones won his second-in-a-row Snowball, an accomplishment only two other drivers, Augie Grill and Rich Bickle Jr. can claim. Grill won back-two-back in ’07 and ’08 while Bickle won back-to-back twice in ’90 and ’91, as well as ’98 and ’99.
Michigan-born Jones, racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports in car #4, could be the first driver in Snowball history to win three in a row. FFS General Manager Tim Bryant, speaking of the derby and Jones’ three-peat chances, said, “It boils down to the competition. Two in a row is borderline phenomenal. (Jones) is a great driver. If anyone is poised to do it, he is. Kyle Busch is bringing down a top-notch tea.m. for him.”
First and third ever Snowball cha.m.pion, in ’68 and ’70, Wayne Niedecken Jr, said, “This is the premier short track in the United States.” He added he would not be surprised to see a 15-second track record this year. Speaking of Jones joining Kyle Bush Motorsports, Niedecken said, “Erik got his shot because he passed Kyle Busch for the win and he did it on the outside.” Niedecken described Jones’ driving as sheer talent. “He outran (Busch) when it was time to outrun.” Niedecken said he won’t be in Sunday’s feature race but will be in the Allen Turner Snowflake 100. Bryant said Niedecken enters the race on Saturday a contender.
Complete tentative schedule as of Monday:
Wednesday Dec 3
Free Admission
9 a.m. Parking of Rigs; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tech Open
Evening
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cat Country/WEAR TV3
Free Green Flag Party
Autographs, Food, Beverages, Live Music
Qualifying Order Drawing
Thursday Dec 4
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snowball /Snowflake Practice
5-6 p.m. Bomber & Sportsmen Practice
6:15 Bomber & Sportsmen Quals (top 20)
8 p.m. Bomber & SP B Main 10 Laps (transfer 4)
Butler U-Pull-It Bomber 30 Green Laps
Beef O’Brady’s Sportsmen 50 Green Laps
Friday Dec 5
WXBM 102.7 Pole Night
During Day Practice &
Snowball Derby Time Trials
7:45 p.m. Pre Race Festivities
8 p.m. SS & Mods B Mains (if necessary)
Super Stock 50 Green Laps
Modified 50 Green Laps
Saturday Dec 6
Snowball Qualifier 50 laps, (4 transfer)
Snowflake Qualifier 50 laps, (4 transfer)
Pro Truck Feature Race 50 laps
7:30 p.m. Allen Turner Snowflake 100
100 Green Flag Laps Pro Late Models
Sunday Dec 7
2 p.m. Snowball Derby 300 laps for Super Late Models
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 47th annual Snowball Derby gets into gear