This is one of the great weekends in all of short track racing. All eyes of the short track racing world and quite a few of the NASCAR world as well; become fixed on Pensacola, Florida and the great Five Flags Speedway. The first weekend of December always marks the running of the Snowball Derby.

Sunday was the 44th annual running of the most prestigious asphalt super late model race in the country. The list of champions from this race is a 40 year, who’s who of both the short track world; and even the NASCAR world. Kyle Busch won the race in ’09, Jeff Purvis won in ’95 for Phoenix racing (yes NASCAR’s Phoenix racing). Past NASCAR star’s Pete Hamilton, Donnie Allison, and Darrell Waltrip won this event from 1974-1976. Rusty Wallace, Bobby Allison and Dale Earnhardt have all tried and failed. Former NASCAR truck star Rich Bickle has won it five times, the only driver to win more than twice.

This year’s event was a nail biter right down to the final straight away. Chase Elliott ( yes Bill’s 16 year old son) and D.J. Vanderley raced side by side for the final five laps, with Chase repassing DJ off of turn four to become the youngest winner ever in the 44 year history of the race. Ross Kenseth, Matt’s son; came back from a lap down to finish third, NASCAR driver Landon Cassill was fourth, and Heath Hindman fifth. Other well-known notables in the final rundown: Cale Gale 6th, David Ragan 18th, Steven Wallace 35th, and Eric Darnell 36th.

I have only been to the Snowball Derby twice, the last being six years ago which included an overnight drive from Hickory, North Carolina the night before to get there. Each year that I miss it, I have bouts of sadness as I follow the week’s action. As far as I know, there has only been one Snowball that had television coverage; and that was the year that the former Hooter’s Cup tour sanctioned the race.

The past several years, Bob Dillner and the folks from Speed51.com have provided great coverage with their track side now deal on their website. For all short track fans across the country, many thanks to Mr. Dillner and the continued coverage of all asphalt late model racing from short track events throughout the year! Maybe next year I can attend the Snowball Derby again……

The next month or two are always a difficult time for rabid race fans such as myself, and this time even more so for me since finding writing material will be difficult at best. I will do my best to try to find something during the dull winter months.

Until next time, check in with hardcoreracefans.com for your racing updates and keep the shiny side up…..

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